Over a 10 day period concluding on Tuesday June 27, I carried out a major refurbishment on my Rover's front suspension and steering. I was given outstanding assistance by Rob, a great friend and fellow P6B owner, for which I am truly grateful. The inner bush within the n/s top link was breaking up, in addition there was a knocking that was evident when driving over rough patches. I surmised that was most likely bottom ball joints. So on Sunday afternoon of June 18, the work began. The bumper bar and both front guards were removed in addition to the n/s front door. It was necessary to take off the door as there is limited space available at the location within Rob's garage. My Rover was then raised so as to facilitate greater access.
The failing n/s top link inner bush can be clearly seen.
Splitting the taper for the o/s top ball joint.
Compressing the spring so as to allow removal of the top link.
The dolly that Rob had tooled up on his mill, to facilitate fitment of my NOS bottom ball joints. An old spare ball joint is seen in the photo for a size comparison.
The swivel pillar supported within a jig, the dolly sitting over the ball joint to be fitted.
The ball joint full home. The groove that accommodates the circlip can be clearly seen. The specs of metal were removed and the ball thoroughly cleaned prior to receiving a generous dose of Castrol LMM grease and the refitting of boot and retaining spring. I'll write an additional piece and post within the Steering and Suspension section, providing further details and photographs.
Top link refitted. The outer cone bushes were obtained from JRW, the inner bushes are NOS metalastic items that I purchased some 30 years ago.
New K-Mac progressive springs were fitted. The K-Mac springs that were taken out had been fitted during 1990, at the same time that the top link bushes, that were now being replaced, had been. They saw 266,776 miles (429,509 km) of service.
New Kelpro shock absorber bushes along with new ball ends purchased from T.R Spares circa 1990 were fitted. The shock absorber nyloc nut has yet to be fully tightened.
The camber correction shims can be clearly seen beneath the outside top link attachment. I replaced the Jaguar flexible brake hoses that I had fitted during 2007 with Goodridge stainless steel braided hoses. The o/s stabiliser was also replaced as the integrated ball joint displayed play. This item has only lasted 159,252 miles (256,400km), I was expecting much more. The replacement has a NOS bush fitted, the arm having already travelled 142,464 miles (229,367 km). The integrated ball joint remains very firm indeed. The links retain their existing bushes, which remain in excellent condition, having also been renewed during 2008. The Koni Classic shock absorbers, which I had purchased 22 years ago, having had them uprated by 40%, remain in excellent condition, continuing to operate brilliantly. They had covered at this time 218,545 miles (351,857 km) in service. The top ball joints remain very firm, having thus far covered 143,280 miles (230,680 km) since I fitted them in 2008. I use Castrol LMM in all ball joints.
Having reached the 10 file upload limit with this post, I'll follow with another post shortly.
Ron.