Rear suspension mods

[Dave Adams]

here is a new trailing arm to put on the N/S to locate the axle better, a little more work and it will be ready to go on the car

 

it is slightly out of true, but it was cut and welded in to shape and another small cut and bending and it's done. It has to have a kink in it because the chassis is in the way, but it is the right length at 12 1/4 inches like the other three on the car.

[Paul Thomas]

Is this not a M O T failure, Suspension parts are not surposed to be welded so the welded parts will have to be good and flushed so they don't show.

[Dave Adams]

As far as i am aware it is not a failure, i am an ex-mot tester and so long as it looks sound i don't see the problem. Besides how would you make wishbones for the likes of the locost cars if you cannot weld suspension components?

The new trailing arm was made from the old panard rod which i replaced a couple of years ago. (Duttons own, the one that went from the N/S chassis rail to the top of the diff) it was too long and once cut the tube material was too thick to bend. The tube walls are 3mm thick so to make the kink it had to be cut and welded.

[Paul Thomas]

There is a difference between the original manafacture of the link bar  and what you are doing. Can you not get it bent on a proper bender. I have done this on mine if you look at the top link arms of my rear suspension in my photo gallery you can see.

[Dave Adams]

This is what the MOT manual has to say on the subject..

 

http://www.ukmot.com/6-5.asp#Text_top

 

but what Mike says above about looking like it's done properly, that and the MOT tester wont know what you have "modified" so is unlikely to know what to check....

[Big Vern]

From the latest MOT manual section 2.4 - Suspension

'An inappropriate repair or modification

includes

welded repairs or the use of excessive heat to

highly stressed components (see Appendix C) and

modifications which are likely to affect the

roadworthiness of the vehicle'.

[Dave Adams]

true but the part is new to the vehicle and it is welded and shaped with no obvious weld lines, the original arms are them selves welded and the part was never used for the purpose it now is put too. so it is fair modification

[Paul Thomas]

When I was a tester 11 years ago it clearly stated no welding repairs to suspension components. I take the point that the mounting point are welded to the chassis and that it is upto the tester to decide wether or not the welding is up to standard but thats not the same as altering a suspension component. You could argue that adjustable TCA's should fail if the above is true but if I was still testing I would pass the TCA.

[Dave Adams]

I suppose it could be argued that as the trailing arm is new to the car, then however it is made is "original". besides i have filed the welds down so they are invisible.

[Terry Game]

2009 cut off leaf spring and all brackets, welded new mounting plates for 5 link.

Made 5 link by copying another Melos. Replaced suspension units, more mods. Past MOT 1st time.  MOT tester visually inspected all welds but I have had no problems. They all seem to understand Kit Car builders.  

[Dave Adams]

well i completed the job today and the 5th link is now in place, and it does make a difference. the rear end feels more planted and it has a smoother ride it's also less noisy......that said my n/s/r shocker was knackered and was at the point of breaking.

the handling has improved slightly with the car feeling less vague, (almost certainly the rear axle moving enough to impart some rear wheel steer)  so overall i am pleased. next will be the replacement of both rear shockers for some AVO's.

[Dave Adams]

front may well be next, i have cortina uprights, but may just upgrade the triumph set up.

[Dave Adams]

it goes above the N/S trailing arm on the rear axle, in a similar fashion to the the two that are fitted to the O/S of the car. I'll take a photo sometime this week and post on here.