peterg Posted July 4, 2003 Share Posted July 4, 2003 if it's only mm's can you not get the flange ground down a bit so it'll fit? - any engineering shop could do this for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcooke Posted July 7, 2003 Share Posted July 7, 2003 Sylvas can supply an adjustable panhard. Attaches with M12 bolts either end. I don't know how near the chassis mounting points will be to that of a Westfield but it may be worth a call to Sylva or Fisher, if only to find their supplier. Surely adjusting the axle location a few mm with the panhard would produce minimal extra load on the bushes? Possibly exposing ignorance: If the panhard doesn't adjust, can the rear ride height be adjusted without shifting the axle IYSWIM? EDIT: Having re read that post I think it's time I learnt more synonyms for 'adjust' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mak1 Posted July 7, 2003 Author Share Posted July 7, 2003 Surely adjusting the axle location a few mm with the panhard would produce minimal extra load on the bushes? my thoughts at the moment. SSC may be able to do it for me (may source theirs from same place as Fisher etc.?), i'm going to send my exisying rod for them to look at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazpowerslide Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 Many of the pre-lits have the rear axle offset a bit. It's really not ideal particularly in a performance orentated car like a Westie. I'd rather have the wheels all in the correct location relative to the chassis rather than move them around to fit the chassis. To get the car to handle as well as possible everything needs to be in the right position to start with, you'll find that you will need to compromise the front end set-up which may lead to un-even tyre wear, pulling left/right under braking or crabbing under acceleration if you offset the axle. I'd investigate the flange diameter and compromise there not with the geometery of the suspension. Chaz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 Many of the pre-lits have the rear axle offset a bit. Er, Escort diffs have the nose offset to the o/s, so whilst the axle is central and the wheels properly spaced/located on the car, the drive pinion will sit quite near the tunnel in a Westfield. This is true for SEi's too, so clearance looks tight, but that's how they are........ If I remember, I'll post a piccy tonight of my narrow SEi's rear end...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcooke Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 Be useful if you could Mr B. Having trial assembled my rear end the diff is offset a good inch to the o/s, I never thought to measure the axle, just assumed it would be symmetrical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 The axle is symetrical, but the diff isn't.........it definitely sits over to the o/s, and by a bit more than an inch, IIRC..... I'm just leaving myself a message on my answerphone at home, so as long as I see the light flashing, I'll get the message, and do a photo........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Albert Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 Just had a look at mine The near side location uses a fixed bush, the off side employs a rose joint so its adjustable If a piccy would help just ask Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcooke Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 bush Shouldn't it be solidly mounted? FWIW the SSC ones are RJ both ends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcooke Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 Blatchap: Here's mine taken from the front down the tunnel (from where the engine should be, I've outlined the flange in red). You're right, it's lots more than an inch offset, but I've now measured up and the actual axle sits perfectly central, so I'm sure I'm OK... (this is the bit where you reassure me). There's a fair bit of clearance on the o/s still - more than there looks in the pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisG Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 If you think about it, its kinda logical that the flange should sit off centre, mine certainly is. If it was central, then that means the pinion gear would be central, which means the crown wheel isnt central, its one side or other of the pinion. This means the bulk of the weight (the crown wheel and diff assembly) would be offset to one side which cant be desirable, you'd also need to make the entire central part of the axle casing offset, and would also probably need unequal length half shafts ? Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mak1 Posted July 8, 2003 Author Share Posted July 8, 2003 so...what sort of clearance is 'acceptable'. My flange is as close as sams looks. If i fold a piece of sandpaper in half i can just squeeze it between the flange and the tunnel. With a few track days coming up i want to make sure it clears in all conditions. mik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcooke Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 It's not as close as it looks in the image because the vertical rail to the o/s of the flange is actually well behind it, clearance between flange and ali panel is well over an inch. A couple of mm can't be good Edited to point out the chassis isn't a Westfield it's a fisher, so yours relative to mine isn't relevant really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 Pictures (not as good as Sam's) can be seen here... and here... Clearance to the ali panel is just about 3/4 of an inch, 'cos that's how big the chassis rails are....... Note small drive flange.... Note totally dry, leak free diff, despite ~230bhp going through it........ Note. It's really dirty..... Sam. From what I can see, yours looks absolutely fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcooke Posted July 9, 2003 Share Posted July 9, 2003 Pah, nothing like as shiny as mine Mak, Sounds like your axle is off centre - have you measured it all up? If I was planning trackdays: 1. I wouldn't want a wildly spinning prop that close to ally that close to me 2. I'd want my car all in a straight line so it drove well. A trip to someone with a nice alignment system would be well worth it methinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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