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Author: Subject: results from fitting the finished axle
robertst

posted on 15/6/07 at 08:49 PM Reply With Quote
results from fitting the finished axle

after a long day's work, i've finished the DeDion axle and tried to bolt it up to the car only to find that the heat from the welding has distorted the mounting plates for the trailing arms and now the trailing arms fit only by persuading them in.

i got so frustrated after so much work i began to think this is never going to end... if its not one thing it'll be the other and i cant help thinking the inevitable: my car is gonna handle like a pig.

so the trailing arms fitted after some persuasion and the axle remained square in the car, as i had anticipated.

however the bushes aren't completely square to the brackets as i'd expected but the axle moves freely.

what am i to do? i mean i am a bit disappointed it didnt work out perfect.

whats more i tried to lift up one end and i noticed it has zero flexibility as in it forces the other side up as well, which i think is ok as it's just like a live axle. however, doesn't this suppose a LOT of stress to the trailing arms and specially the brackets?
i'm thinking tooo much and i really would like to have it in my conscience that all is ok albeit the minor imperfections

i'll post a pic of it once i painted it and stuff...

thanks for reading this rant... i need some motivation please. i've spent this entire month working on the axle and it would destroy me to find out it was all for nothing...

Cheers
Tom





Tom

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Avoneer

posted on 15/6/07 at 08:54 PM Reply With Quote
Likewise.

With my panhard rod fitted, lifting one side lifted the other, all be it with a slight "delay".

I've had one of those weeks with the car and have nearly given up a few times, but I can see the end and WILL be on the road this summer.

Walk away and have some beer.

Pat...

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Avoneer

posted on 15/6/07 at 08:55 PM Reply With Quote
Oh, I also re-enforced my trailing arm brackets.

Should be a pic on here somewhere:

www.bitsablade.co.uk

Pat...

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robertst

posted on 15/6/07 at 09:12 PM Reply With Quote
thanks pat, much appreciated.

i just get the intense feeling i should have gone to IRS, so much easier to get good results, however with more intense work, but nonetheless more precise and less prone to the bleedin distortion...





Tom

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andyharding

posted on 15/6/07 at 09:13 PM Reply With Quote
I done 4000 miles on my DeDion and the only problem is the poly bushes sqeaking like a mad due to the twisting you mention.

It's finally pissed me off that much I'm changing the trailing arms for rose jointed ones.





Are you a Mac user or a retard?

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Avoneer

posted on 15/6/07 at 10:11 PM Reply With Quote
Yep - but IRS is much harder to set up.

Stick with (and finish) what you've got and when your driving it around, think about fitting IRS to your next car.

I've wasted a day just trying to make and fit a simple clutch cable!

Pat...

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DIY Si

posted on 15/6/07 at 10:22 PM Reply With Quote
I would say that without any shocks fitted (I'm assuming you don't yet?) the force will be enough to lift the whole lot up. If you're worried about it, try to borrow some shocks and see what happens then, but remember you'll only probably see 2 or so inches of movement on the road.





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robertst

posted on 15/6/07 at 11:11 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by DIY Si
I would say that without any shocks fitted (I'm assuming you don't yet?) the force will be enough to lift the whole lot up. If you're worried about it, try to borrow some shocks and see what happens then, but remember you'll only probably see 2 or so inches of movement on the road.


exactly my thoughts! the travel isn't that much is it? i trial-fitted the shocks and it seems logical they will contribute to the stiffness but i guess its all part of the dedion design.

im more relaxed now some of you have had these issues.





Tom

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chris_harris_

posted on 16/6/07 at 09:36 AM Reply With Quote
I'm with andyharding on this, stick with it, it'll work out in the end, i too have gone with rose joints at the de dion end of the trailing arms, for adjustment as much as anything. means you can pack out with washers or spacers and any twist will be taken up by the bearing.
It'll all be worth it in the end, thats what i keep telling myself!!!!





Regards Chris

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Alex B

posted on 16/6/07 at 05:22 PM Reply With Quote
Come on guys........don`t take it serious !
You are all being hard on yourselves. A day wasted?...........Only if you are in a hospital bed dudes. I bet everyone learned SOMETHING today.
Alex

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procomp

posted on 16/6/07 at 05:30 PM Reply With Quote
Hi yes most people have the same problem with dideon or live axle. But it dosent mean it's right. Do some research on live axle westfield's and sylvas.

It's the bushing that is the problem. You need suppleness at one at least one end of the trailing arm's chassis if only one end. Fully rose jointed trailing arms only work if the geometry is absoloutley spot on other wise it is just as bad.

cheers matt

[Edited on 16/6/07 by procomp]

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