BUGA Community
Technical => Driveline => Topic started by: Gordon on August 12, 2013, 03:27:30 PM
-
Hi All
Thought I would start a post detailing the process that we have followed to fit dropped spindles to my CF1.
The kit in question is the kit supplied by Stubtech which uses an HQ lower ball joint in place of the standard Bedford one. In the kit is a machined ball joint seat that needs to be grafted into the Bedford lower suspension arm.
The first picture shows the arm once the original ball joint seat has been removed. As you can see the new seat sits further back than the original, so you end up with an elongated hole.
-
awesome gordon, looks like a bit of a mission but im sure itll be worth it, how big is the drop?
-
Next step is to "massage" the front section of the A arm. There are two reasons for this. The first is to provide a decent foundation for the machined insert. The second reason is to clear the brake disc as the new ball joint sits further in on the suspension arm.
-
awesome gordon, looks like a bit of a mission but im sure itll be worth it, how big is the drop?
Hi Eric, 3 inch drop, so not too bad. Cheers Gordon.
-
Next step is to weld in the new ball joint seat. Picture shows seat in position and ready for the next step.
-
Wow, should look good, but think I will stay with my 15" wheels on the back and 14" on the front, will give a dropped front look :D
(http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae41/Bas-NZ/Bedford-CF.gif)
Let me know when you have it set up in the van, need to come around and see this in real life, so to say, do a little window shopping...
Gordon, hope this is not a van you turn around and sell in a couple of years, if I was doing all that you are, it would be keeps for life. well for what ever years I have left ;)
-
Yep, she is definitely a keeper Bas. Too much time and money invested to let someone else enjoy it :) :)
-
Sounds good, but you owe me a ride... ;)
-
Looking great Gordon. Keen to see this in the flesh also. I feel a party comin on. ;D ;D
-
Thanks Garry, still a long way to go but each step is one step closer to being back on the road.
-
Ok, will have to use that saying too, unless I do something wrong, then it would be 1 step backwards.. ;)
-
Hi Gordon. With all that 'massaging' and welding of the control arms to fit the new HQ ball joints, will you need to have the arms X-rayed or at least signed off by an engineer?
Having done my share of roadworthy inspections on vehicles in this country (at least the Victorian part of it) there is no way an inspector could or at least should pass the control arms with them having been welded. The standards mention that no part of any steering or suspension component may be machined, heated or welded or modified in any way that could alter the structural integrity of that component without an engineering report stating the component meets structural requirements.
I'm guessing things are a bit easier to do in NZ and you have yet to be caught up in all the bullshit that we have. Make the most of it while you can.
Cheers
Beerbeddy
-
NZ is as tough, especially with the latest aftermarket steering column failing. Anything to do with the steering thats had heat has to be x-rayed
-
Hi Beerbeddy, Yep, we have to go through the same process here. I consulted my certifier before embarking on the exercise and he is across the work being done. There is no way that I am putting my safety or the safety of other road users in jeopardy with dodgy workmanship or un certified modifications.
-
Oh well I'm sorry to hear the fun police have caught up to you guys in NZ as well.
I didn't think for a moment that you would do anything shoddy and risk the lives of yourself and others, neither would I. I just wondered if the law makers over there didn't believe you like they don't here. Mind you, there are some that don't intend to do crappy work but are incapable of doing otherwise. I guess thats what the laws are there for.
Have fun.
Beerbeddy
-
what did the kit end up costing.....
-
Hi Vintage, its a pretty expensive exercise. Just over Aus $1000 including shipping to NZ. I didn't pay Aus GST but had to pay NZ GST and some minor import costs that all added up to another NZ $200. On top of that I've got the fabrication costs. Due to the nature of the work I've got a certified structural welder doing the welding.
-
hope its worth it.....
what about the jag front people were talking about fitting.......was it merlin??
-
When I first started investigating I discussed a number of options with some old school rodders including going down the Mitsi L300 or Mustang aftermarket route. The load requirements and track width of a Beddie result in a great deal of fabrication which is costly if you are getting the right caliber of person involved in doing it for you, so I ruled them out. I'm not saying that they can't be done, but at the end of the day on the advice of my Cert Engineer I went down the stub axle path.
-
Dropped off my lower suspension arms at the engineers in order to have the new ball joint seats TIG welded into position. Hope to get them back towards the end of next week. Next step will be x-rays to make sure that the welding is 100%. I'll then drop off the x-rays and report with my Certification Engineer to make sure that he is happy before I go any further. Hope to post an update to this thread this time next week.
-
Picked up the modified lower suspension arms from X-Ray Laboratories yesterday. Good news is that they passed crack testing with flying colours. A few pictures showing the final product attached.
-
somehow I don't think that's going to break :)
-
nice work
what does the camber end up as.....
-
Hi Vintage, on top of the drop that I get from the new stubs I plan to squeeze some extra drop by fitting modified springs, so I'm not sure at this stage what my camber will end up being. The goal is to reach a balance between ideal ride height, good handling and minimal tyre wear.
-
I,m a boilermaker and was going to have a go at modifying my own control arms I have a few sets to play with....
just wondered what camber to aim for.....
-
Adjustable camber!