Jag front suspension bushes/movement

[nbracken]

I have a Unique Autocraft Python which uses the standard Jag XJ front lower arms with the long pivot bolts running through a special mount on the chassis. I fitted new bolts and standard Jag bushes when I built the car 11 years and 25,000 miles ago.

I have noted recently when driving slowly (say when coming to a stop at traffic lights) that there was some apparent movement in the front suspension when I applied and then released the brakes.

Upon inspection underneath the car today I noticed that there is some play in the lower front suspension. The bushes are begiining to show sign of perishing but there also seems to be some play in the pivot bolt itself.

I have decided to replace the lower bushes with the Superflex polyeurathene type but is it possible that there is also wear in the pivot bolts themselves? Is this something that wears on the Jag front suspension or is it just likely to be the old bushes going soft/wearing.

Any advice appreciated.
Thanks

[neil still building it]

have you been religiously getting out the grease gun too??
re: top and bottom swivels,this mostly keeps the water or grit out as much an lubing things inside...........
neil

[TonyD]

Nigel,

The pivot bolts themselves are usually fixed solid with rust in the jag donors so its likely to be the same in yours. This means that you have to hammer three bells out of them to get them out of the brackets.

The pivot bolts are only £9 each from Wards so I'd order two new ones when you order the poly bush kit. Use the silicone grease as supplied with the poly kit and "bobs your uncle", good for another 10 years at least.

Cheers,
Tony :thumb:

[nbracken]

Neil Tony thanks.

Neil the top and bottom swivvels have been greased regularly (along with all the other grease points) since I built my kit and they are still in fine shape. On the lower wishbone inners however (where I now have some movement) there are no grease nipples.

Tony good point and I will order new pivots anyway - in fact I am going to order top inner bushes also in Poly as while I have the suspension dismantled I have decided to do the lot.

I hope my lower inner pivots come out OK. When I assembled my car I used copperslip when I first fitted them - we'll see. I know they are notoriously tough to dislodge on scrap Jags etc. I don't have much room between the front of the pivots (the end I'll need to hit) and my radiator lower tank so fingers crossed....

[adricar2]

i weld a 17mm metric nut onto the lower suspension bolts , when i build my suspensions, this then takes a slide hammer and makes moving the bolts some what easier. if you can weld a nut on to yours in the car without any damage to the paintwork it does simplify the removal.
hope this helps
:finger:

[nbracken]

Adrian thanks - I think the pivot bolt already has a large (37mm) bolt head at one end and that I'll be able to get a large adjustable onto. At the opposite end is the split pin and castellated nut.

I don't understand where you say you weld the 17mm nut onto. Can you clarify please?

Thanks

[adricar2]

the reason i weld a 17mm nut on to the 37mm end, is that you can not pull the bolt out from the lower supension with a spanner. you can be helped to be removed with a slide hammer, once the castled nut from the other end has been removed first .

[RobinH]

I don’t know about your autocraft python but on an AK the bolt passes through two support plates which project out underneath a chassis member. These are separated by a loosely fitting tubular spacer rather than a tightly fitting tube like on the jag. This should make it much easier to release than on the jag.

[nbracken]

Robin thanks - on the Python it mirrors teh Jag set up so geos through a long tube. However when I built I did lube with Copperslip so I HOPE it comes out OK.

I have ordered from Wards new pivot bolts to go with my new bushes regardless so I can afford to hit 'em (the old pivots) if needed.

[mylesdw]

Originally Posted by nbracken

Robin thanks - on the Python it mirrors teh Jag set up so geos through a long tube. However when I built I did lube with Copperslip so I HOPE it comes out OK.

The RAM uses a long tube too. I lubed it 16 years ago with copper grease too and it came out the other day very easily, just like new!