Help identifying suspension parts on LeGrand race car
#1
Posted 12 December 2012 - 19:55
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With Stuarts permission, I am posting this pic of the upper control arm parts for my project LeGrand MK10 Formula Ford. No one here in the US has been able to ID the origin of the parts so I thought I would have the forum have a go. Very simply, there is the cup at the right of the pic that goes into the end of the control arm. Then the ball joint is inserted, and then the threaded upper cup is spun in, tightened to desired tension. The threaded end of the ball joint goes into the upper end of what I believe to be a Triumph front upright. Anyone guess where the origin of the cups and ball joints are from. Thanks
Mike Summers
California
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#2
Posted 12 December 2012 - 23:31
Vanguard tie-rod ends were commonly used into the top of Herald and Spitfire uprights, they had the right taper and size. But they were hefty things, is it possible that an early model was made with a rebuildable version rather than the sealed type of later years?
#3
Posted 13 December 2012 - 04:21
I've had plenty of fun over the years removing them from their respective suspension arms. Cheers, ozdude
Edit: On second thought, Mr Bells' suggestion of a rack and pinion tie rod end makes more sense.
Edited by ozdude, 13 December 2012 - 04:24.
#4
Posted 13 December 2012 - 06:22
LandRover also comes up with a similar ball for the pitman arm.
#5
Posted 13 December 2012 - 06:39
And if they are Jag items, make sure you use genuine Jag parts. I have seen cheap knock-off reproduction items that have a square shoulder instead of the gradual taper to the high point of the taper, and even on road-cars, they break right there!I just typed "Jaguar ball joint" into Google images and came up with a couple of similar looking parts... Take a look at http://www.terrysjag...uct/C22966.html
LandRover also comes up with a similar ball for the pitman arm.
#6
Posted 13 December 2012 - 09:15
In the end after trying forums all over the world for info I was pointed towards a company called Amsteer who make ball joints for classic cars - even they could not identify what it was off - however they just made me new ones (and quite cheaply - no more than the cost of a standard joint)
disclaimer - I have nothing to do with this company bar being a happy customer.
Edited by rbm, 13 December 2012 - 09:16.
#7
Posted 13 December 2012 - 09:22
#8
Posted 13 December 2012 - 10:54
All of these ball-joints, steering trunions, swivel pins, kingpins etc tended to be made by Jonas Woodhead, and I built up a huge cross reference chart, as one Woodhead part would fit cars/vans or light trucks from a myriad of car makers.
My point is, I wouldn't be trying to round it down to a single road vehicle, but maybe a single maufacturer of the part, if that makes sense!?
#9
Posted 13 December 2012 - 16:12
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Edited by Mike Summers, 13 December 2012 - 16:16.
#10
Posted 14 December 2012 - 00:37
#11
Posted 14 December 2012 - 02:43
I will send a pic to Frank at Monise Motors. Had not thought to check with him. I have his dad's Lotus 23 sitting in my garage.
ms