JokerUK · Nov 17, 2022

Hi all, probably seems a strange post, but I’m excavating the front of my 110 on a journey to replace the bulkhead and of course the number of parts I’ve identified as needing to replaced on the way is growing…

Anyway, the front shocks and springs are pretty rusty and the towers are in poor condition so I thought I’d take advantage of the enhanced access to get the job done.
I’m conscious however that I’ve always thought my 110 was higher than normal and has probably had some work in the past suggesting it’s not on standard height springs.

My question is - how can I tell what is currently in place? My intention is to buy all 4 corners but I’m happy with the ride height etc.
What do I need to measure?

thanks in advance

steve

tottot · Nov 17, 2022

Hard to tell ride hight from just a photo but looks standard to me. Springs may be heavy duty. Would need to know tyre size and distance from the top of the tyre to the wheel arch [ the metal not the plastic eyebrow ] for a better idea.
Your bulkhead looks well repairable in situ [ changing it is a big job and costly] Panel repair sections are available for the commonly rotted parts.

miktdish · Nov 17, 2022

I'd agree with @tottot you car looks standard but it is difficult to tell.
If you jack up the car to uncompress the springs and measure them, how long are they ?

I'd also say that the bulkhead looks repairable rather than in need of replacing, which is, as pointed out, a major undertaking.

dag019 · Nov 18, 2022

Although I agree with the above if you have already got this far you are halfway there to swapping the bulkhead especially if you have a galvanised version as a replacemnt.

For springs measure between the axle and the chassis as you then remove the variations in tyres and the rubber arch spat. It is difficult to tell form the photo but it looks standard height. I would only fit HD splrings if you have a large bumper and winch, otherwise go standard, similarly with the rears, unless you are regularly loaded heavy or tow a lot I would be fitting standard. The HD front springs for a 110 are the same as standard 90 rear springs, so may be easier and cheaper to find them, certainly was when I fitted my winch and upgraded the front springs.

The britpart standard shocks are very good (despite the britpart name) I can fully recommend them. Remember you will need turret rings as they will definitely be rusted and snap when removing.

lightning · Nov 18, 2022

You can usually get a set of four new "take off" shocks from Twisted for about £60

l paid £100 for 4 new "take off" springs although l am not sure they've any left
now.

Fit standard turrets, and turret rings, some of the "uprated" aftermarket ones aren't well designed.

dag019 · Nov 19, 2022

lightning said:
Fit standard turrets, and turret rings, some of the "uprated" aftermarket ones aren't well designed.

That is worrying to hear I have just fitted galvanised tubular ones to mine! The seemed fine on fitting but not used yet as still rebuilding

tottot · Nov 19, 2022

Zoomed in on your pic Dag and have to say they do not look good

The welding looks rough with possible poor penetration and where the tubes meet the fastening ring the weld is incomplete to make space for the nuts. [ good spot for a crack to start]

Def90man · Nov 19, 2022

dag019 said:
That is worrying to hear I have just fitted galvanised tubular ones to mine! The seemed fine on fitting but not used yet as still rebuilding

View attachment 278557

tottot said:
Zoomed in on your pic Dag and have to say they do not look good The welding looks rough with possible poor penetration and where the tubes meet the fastening ring the weld is incomplete to make space for the nuts. [ good spot for a crack to start]

I fitted britpart ‘normal’ turrets a few years ago and in less than a year had one fail. The spot welds failed where the top bush fits. Was an exciting trip home with the damper only restrained in one direction

Seaswood · Nov 21, 2022

I am doing same job some British farmer welded the sills to bulkhead!

anyways I am going to reuse the shock tower & springs as long as the shock tower does not have rusty holes
They should be fine, I will derust the towers clean & paint with fav sealer.
The springs if you carefully clean them there are identifying color bars on the bottom or top coil, that will tell you what they are.
Use a mild cleanser WD-40 or like that will get the grime off not the color stripes.
Look up suspension in shop manual or there is a chart at the front.
Here may be dimensions what the height should be loaded unloaded.

JokerUK · Nov 21, 2022

Sorry for the delay in responding and thanks for all the suggestions. I got diverted as our kitchen is being demolished…
Re: the bulkhead, most of the removal work is done, inside is stripped, just got a few hours of removal to go, new one is in the garage all painted and dinitroled.

I will have a go at the light clean of the springs to see if that gives me a clue.
Failing that I will remove and measure.

Thanks for the steer on shocks and turrets - I will post progress (which I suspect will be slow for a few weeks)

Seaswood · Nov 22, 2022

I thought I would clean the front spring L today did not want to budge axle pushed down but they can be stubborn, eventually moving frame up a notch at a time.
Spring came out, rusty but everything will be cleaned up painted & reinstalled.
There was evidence of Yellow paint(passenger side 110)

good luck with Kitchen.

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