Swap meet suspension

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400brian
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Swap meet suspension

Post by 400brian »

I've never been a big fan of swaps, as you have to walk and walk, dig and dig, and I never find anything cool anyway.

But Sunday up in St Germain I did find something kind of interesting, and I beat Rainville to it by just a few minutes!

It appears to have '78 CC rails and rear axle, while the arms appear to be '80s LF. The three idler wheels were what caught my eye, and the aluminum spacers sealed the deal. Chuck had passed on it earlier in the morning, he told me he had enough junk, which was good for me, because I don't feel I do yet. :laugh:

Note the extra pair of fittings on the rails forward of the front arms, for little idler wheels. '78 front arms would not have the welded on loops on top. A '78 rear arm would not have the idlers mounted to it, those are both newer parts.
The steel bracket at the rear of the rails is riveted on the production rails, but bolted on the CC rails.

Last night, Rainville and I had a '78 skid, and an 80 skid lined up on the bench beside this one. As others have noted, there is little practical difference between the 78 CC and the 80. In other words, not too hard to clone a 78 CC out of a 80.
Attachments
CC skid 006.JPG
CC skid 005.JPG
View of the 78 CC axle setup
View of the 78 CC axle setup

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
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harleysportster
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Re: Swap meet suspension

Post by harleysportster »

Cool find, I would be interested in the break-down of the rear axle.
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400brian
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Re: Swap meet suspension

Post by 400brian »

The axle is aluminum, the teardrop spacers are aluminum, but the square spacers outside of the rails are steel.

As you might expect, everything is solid. I'm pondering how to get it apart. I'm willing to sacrifice the axle and the center wheel, but nothing else. It looks like the axle is bent in the center slightly as well, so even if if was loose, it probably wouldn't slide out.

I'll keep you posted.

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
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'78 Spitfire in progress
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I500
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Re: Swap meet suspension

Post by I500 »

Tasky must be pulling all his hair out right now. That suspension was his. :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
TASKY
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Re: Swap meet suspension

Post by TASKY »

Not mine. :naughty: The first time I saw it was in the back of Brian's truck. :shock:
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400brian
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Re: Swap meet suspension

Post by 400brian »

I've removed the rear arm from the skid. Then unbolted the rear brackets from the rails, and removed the entire rear axle assembly as a unit. I successfully disassembled the axle without destroying anything! With one of the square spacers in the vise ( the axle upright ) I applied a bit of heat, penetrating oil, and applied a large Crescent wrench along with a four foot section of pipe. I finally broke the upper spacer loose, but it refused to come off the shaft until everything had cooled, and much twisting and oil had been applied.

The center idler easily popped right off in the press, so now all that remained was the last steel spacer ( as both of the teardrop spacers were loose ). I got everything set up and started pumping the jack...things started creaking...I was getting as far away as I could..finally; POP!

Was it off? NO, it had moved! It came hard every bit of the way. I finally had to screw a long bolt into the end of the shaft so I could continue pushing, but it did eventually come apart.

I have no intention of re-using the shaft, an idler wheel bearing has spun on one side, so it is worn a bit, but I think steel is a better choice. The left rail has been worn almost to the hyfax. Either circle track racing, or a bad bearing and a misaligned track for a long time. Not sure what I can do about that yet.

Here are some photos of the spacers.

The aluminum extrusion: 3.25" long x 1.125 dia, with 3/4" bore. Note section of teardrop is relieved to clear idler wheel bearing.

Steel spacer: 1.125 square bar x 1.75" long, with 3/4" bore. Aprox .10" shoulder x .15 deep to fit into slot in bracket.
Attachments
CC skid spacers 004.JPG
CC skid spacers 003.JPG

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
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eppjd
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Re: Swap meet suspension

Post by eppjd »

400brian wrote:I've removed the rear arm from the skid. Then unbolted the rear brackets from the rails, and removed the entire rear axle assembly as a unit. I successfully disassembled the axle without destroying anything! With one of the square spacers in the vise ( the axle upright ) I applied a bit of heat, penetrating oil, and applied a large Crescent wrench along with a four foot section of pipe. I finally broke the upper spacer loose, but it refused to come off the shaft until everything had cooled, and much twisting and oil had been applied.

The center idler easily popped right off in the press, so now all that remained was the last steel spacer ( as both of the teardrop spacers were loose ). I got everything set up and started pumping the jack...things started creaking...I was getting as far away as I could..finally; POP!

Was it off? NO, it had moved! It came hard every bit of the way. I finally had to screw a long bolt into the end of the shaft so I could continue pushing, but it did eventually come apart.

I have no intention of re-using the shaft, an idler wheel bearing has spun on one side, so it is worn a bit, but I think steel is a better choice. The left rail has been worn almost to the hyfax. Either circle track racing, or a bad bearing and a misaligned track for a long time. Not sure what I can do about that yet.

Here are some photos of the spacers.

The aluminum extrusion: 3.25" long x 1.125 dia, with 3/4" bore. Note section of teardrop is relieved to clear idler wheel bearing.

Steel spacer: 1.125 square bar x 1.75" long, with 3/4" bore. Aprox .10" shoulder x .15 deep to fit into slot in bracket.

Those teardrop spacers look like an interesting thing to manufacture
Adam Epp
Winnipeg, MB, Canada

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WinnipegStPaul9
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Re: Swap meet suspension

Post by WinnipegStPaul9 »

Here's a picture taken when the suspension was removed from my CC originally. The only function of the center pieces is to 1. Act as a spacer and 2. incorporate a place for the adjuster screw to fit. Unless you wanted a "pure" CC suspension, you could make this piece easily and it would not have to be tapered.
Attachments
78CCSuspension 036.jpg
Feel free to check out our website www.buscobullet.com for restorations or parts.
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400brian
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Re: Swap meet suspension

Post by 400brian »

Don has it right. Troy is sitting on a box of square tubing that I sent him a while back, to make these spacers out of.
I see no reason it won't work. For an '80 axle bracket you could make just one spacer for each side, while the CC bracket requires two for each side.

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'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
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'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
harleysportster
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Re: Swap meet suspension

Post by harleysportster »

400brian wrote:Don has it right. Troy is sitting on a box of square tubing that I sent him a while back, to make these spacers out of.
I see no reason it won't work. For an '80 axle bracket you could make just one spacer for each side, while the CC bracket requires two for each side.
What do you think of starting with an '80's axle, cutting it up in sections for fitment of the center wheel and drilling out the middle of each peice for a center axle?
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400brian
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Re: Swap meet suspension

Post by 400brian »

Pat

That would work. But with the square tubing, all you have to do is cut the slots, and use the steel axle.

Take your pick I guess.

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
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'78 LF 440 future CC clone
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Re: Swap meet suspension

Post by JoeRainville »

Hey Brian and Guys,

I think I have a box of those steel spacers used on the ends of the rear axle. I will be up in NY at the end of June, and I will be sure to grab them.

-Joe
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harleysportster
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Re: Swap meet suspension

Post by harleysportster »

400brian wrote:Pat

That would work. But with the square tubing, all you have to do is cut the slots, and use the steel axle.

Take your pick I guess.
Brian, your idea would be easier.
Joe, let us know what you find.
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Re: Swap meet suspension

Post by ICCSF 108 »

Brian, Does that suspension have the steel spacers for the center outboard large wheels? As they weren't welded to the center tower like the 80-84's were...
I'll get your order out later this week...
Grumpy
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400brian
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Re: Swap meet suspension

Post by 400brian »

ICCSF 108 wrote:Brian, Does that suspension have the steel spacers for the center outboard large wheels? As they weren't welded to the center tower like the 80-84's were...
I'll get your order out later this week...
Grumpy
Kenny

Both the CC suspension and the 80 suspension I have in my possession, have a steel spacer behind the center wheel.

Neither are welded to anything. Rainville was commenting that he didn't remember this to be the case on 80 skids, but there it was. I have no clue.

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
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