Front Suspension Rebuild Ist Stage

[ALANBEAL]

Hi All

     After not working on cars for over 30 years I now have to bite the bullet and start rebuilding the front end of my Westie.The rest will follow

It may seem a very silly question but what size spanners and sockets do I need are they metric or imperial I cannot work out if they are 16mm or 5/8" some parts are OK but I want to fit new bolts etc I know I need high tensile for the suspension but where can I get them, Can I mix high tensile bolts with stainless steel nuts and washers if I can get them in self locking I may change the front anti roll as it may be bent I will post some pictures if someone can tell me how to

   Waiting for help

Alan 

    

[Geoff101]

Hi Alan,

Most of the suspension bolts are 7/16" UNF. You can buy the appropriate bolt sets from Westfield. If you ask nicely, they should do you a decent price.

You'll need a 5/8 AF spanner for those bolts. Ball joint tapers are bigger but also imperial from memory. If you do a search for my content from last year, I listed all of the torque settings. I'll see if I can find the post.

Lower ball joint to wishbones are m12 I think (if you have the later, two bolt lower ball joint).

[Geoff101]

Here you go:

http://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic/89568-uprights-wishbones-and-ball-joints/

[fatbaldbloke]

It's important the right strength nuts and bolts are used for suspension.  Stainless is not as strong as high tensile steel.  I'd be tempted, if you're not entirely sure of what you're doing to get all the parts from Westfield.  You can't really go wrong then.

[ALANBEAL]

Hi

   Thank You all I think the new wishbones will come with all the bolts NOW ANY Idea,s on a front ARB

Alan 

[SootySport]

Hi

   Thank You all I think the new wishbones will come with all the bolts NOW ANY Idea,s on a front ARB

Alan 

You'll then have to buy longer wishbone bolts as the ARB brackets need to fix on the end bolts.   Try your local Fastener shop, they will have High Tensile versions.

[fatbaldbloke]

Some of the ARB suppliers will supply the correct bolts as part of the kit - suggest you talk to Luke at Plays Kool.

[NMac]

I get nuts and bolts online from Grove Components at www.groveco.co.uk

They have almost anything in bolts, set screws, and so on in high tensile steel and stainless steel, and appropriate nuts, washers, etc and provide a very rapid delivery.

[ALANBEAL]

Hi

   I  have been comparing the ARB  all ready fitted to my Westie I think it is an early Westfield one it is vee shaped in the middle to go around the electric fan it looks a bit homemade but it is very similar  to the plays kool one

any comments

Alan