Steering, Suspension, & Brakes

Quote:

These hubs are custom aluminum from Bill Guzman: [www.classicconversionseng.com]

True – I have a set….. although I’d be hard pressed to say the lower unsprung weight contributed to an improved ride

Surprised that no one has mentioned that Bill has developed a front suspension as another option to Hoyle/Frontline - maybe worth looking at!

[www.classicconversionseng.com]

I considered Bill's suspension, but it's over twice the price of the Hoyle unit. Not sure if it has any advantages.

Graham has the Moss coilover with drop spindles. How much are they in the UK?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/2022 01:30PM by mgb260.

The Moss system appears to be about the same price as the Hoyle (at least with the current exchange rate), but it's on back order: [mossmotors.com]

"I considered Bill's suspension, but it's over twice the price of the Hoyle unit. Not sure if it has any advantages."

Bill's has ball joints & a better shock angle for starters.

Carl, thanks. I realized the ball joints were there after I posted. Didn't realize the shock angle was different.

I plan to keep tweaking what I have.

I just found this comparison of the Frontline and Hoyle suspensions. I think I'm going to order the Hoyle, and will try to upgrade it to ball joints with the information posted here.

[www.mg-cars.net]

That link does not provide any ball joint conversion info.

Might be able to upgrade the kingpins with TSL type tapered bearings which include an integral seal.

Jim

This is the link I was referring to regarding the potential king pin to ball joint conversion: [www.mgexp.com]

The link I previously posted was just comparing the Hoyle to the Frontline kits.

Jim,

Regarding the TSL bearing conversion, did you ever look into this? Looks like it could be easier than the ball joint conversation, but I'm not sure where to look for the bearings that could fit (or anything else, for that matter).

Yes, several of us have been following that thread with interest.

This could help:

[www.lily-bearing.com]

Jim

Jim,

That looks like a great resource. Thanks much.

Bills kit also includes $1300 worth of brakes, hubs etc. so can’t really be compared to the Hoyle or Frontline kits. MGOC unit at least has the ball joints for 1200 GBP.

So the closest bore sizes in the TSL bearings are .750 and .875" with the corresponding kingpin sizes being .780 and .900" sp .030 and .025" undersized respectively. That means that the kingpins would have to be turned to size but also that used pins can be used. So bad and good news both.

Might be possible to go with spacers instead, .875 for .780 (.095 or a .0475" wall) and 1" for .9 (.050" wall). That is probably feasible as well and a slightly less difficult of a machining task but would mean the need for new kingpins which aren't exactly cheap. Should be possible to work with both the OD and height.

Should also be possible to use them for the cross shaft attachment to the control arms. That would require boring the ends of the kingpin for them but I am pretty sure there is enough meat to do that.

Pretty much a permanent fix for the kingpin bushing issue.

Jim

Great information Jim. I assume the use of spacers is also preferable as it allows a replaceable wear surface, so instead of replacing kingpins down the road, use can just replace the cheap spacers?

Eric, maybe spacers between the inner races on the horizontal joints at top and bottom where the A-arms attach but I don't think they would be needed on the kingpin itself, just preload to spec. Guess you could add a spacer sleeve if you wanted to. Any wear should be in the bearings and that should never be an issue. Whether you used the rubber bushings at the top or not would be your choice.

Jim

Jim, thanks. I think this is the route I am going to try. I ended up getting the Hoyle suspension, so it should make for an interesting combination.