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Fig of Eights
http://gt4dc.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2799		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  CEL1CA [ Wed Feb 11, 2009 8:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Fig of Eights
Hi Peeps,

Well it finally had to happen having got away with it for sooo...... long.
But current MOT test has finally flagged up Fig 8s n/side is on way out and needs replacing soonish .

I blame the current Road humps increase round these parts meself :evil: You dont want to get a back problem round here!!

Anyways established not too bad on £s for parts if bought from TCB about 70 squid each. However keen for advice.....First assume is it probs best to replace both sides at same time ? and are they bespoke ? and Second are they a plug and play part ? or do I need to order other parts with it bushes seals etc ? All other suspension is advised as OK.

I also understand it needs specialist tools, so no way for me, but if anyone has time and would like to earn some "addational" so to speak I will offer here first..rates negotionable if not thereafter working my outwards towards Smithys and visit to my son in Notingham Uni.

P.S. Some good news a pre check before my last French finally established the cause of "party hooter sound" in foot down mode. A just slightly loose hose conection to between intercooler and turbo. So all is now fine.... and we can now reach those parts again... :wink:

Cheers Nigel C.
Author:  two_OH_five [ Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ah good to hear the kazoo has been cured Nigel. One of the most weird thing's I've heard in a car :lol:

It's well worth changing the seesaw arms when changing the figure 8's
Historically failure to replace both as a pair has led to rapid re-failure of the figure 8. The arms are handed but AFAIK the fig 8 is universal
Author:  TrackToyFour [ Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
What Steve calls a 'seesaw' arm is actually the lower track control arm.

Image

Available from TCB at £228 each plus vodka and tonic :shock:

You could possibly do the job yourself but you'd need the right ball-joint splitters. If the suspension has never been off the car since new the ball joints could put up a bit of a fight. If it were me I'd ask Peter to change the fig 8s and the TCA.

Maybe someone brave will volunteer to do this for you :twisted: If it were me I'd ask Peter to change the fig 8s and the TCA's.
Author:  CEL1CA [ Thu Feb 12, 2009 2:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks folks,
Seems I will have to dig a little deeper into the piggy bank but overall twill be well worth it, and a releativly small price to pay spread over the 7 years of my ownership of the "Batmobile" Methinks someones going to get a bargan one day!!

With the lower arms as well agree deffo a job for Mr P given a tracking check will likely be necessary as well. Will contact once parts are obtained.

Cheers Again Nigel C.
Author:  peterp1per [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:02 am ]
Post subject: 
I'll be more than happy to help you out with those if needed Nigel?
with the new 4 wheel aignment equipment at work I should be able to track your four up too ;)
Author:  TrackToyFour [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:09 am ]
Post subject: 
That 4 wheel alignment setup sounds like good news Pete :) I was thinking the alignment part of the job would have to be done by a wheel and tyre specialist
Author:  CEL1CA [ Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well folks.. All 4 items finally arrived today. The numbers seem to check out on JPs codes too, and I will also add very well packed from TCB..

Unfortunately the only bent section that remains is my plastic :( Ho Hum... the sacrifices made all for the luv of yer car :shock:

Now on to the fitting stage..... :arrow: enter Mr P.... stage right :P

Cheers Nigel C. :lol:
Author:  peterp1per [ Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
wheres me hammer :twisted:
Author:  peterp1per [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 4:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well...... we started, but never quite got as far actually seeing the finishing line let alone getting near it :evil: :evil:

managed to just about get the o/s lower arm and fig 8 on but duly gave the banana arm such a grilling that it now needs replacing also.

at this point we gave up on the n/s and went home...lol

round 2 looms ahead :x :x

got to be the worst arms i've ever had to do business with! bloody faffs :lol:

i'm now off to the pub to relieve the stress of it all :twisted:
Author:  Diceman [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 5:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
LOL,
I must admit that Nigels car has to be the worst car to work on - nothing ever simple.

1 hour 30 mins to get the oil filter off!
Author:  peterp1per [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 8:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
tbh it was an absolute nightmare JP!

You could quite happily remove all the nuts from Nigels front suspension and rag it around on track, knowing full well nothing was going to fall off :lol: :lol: :lol:
Author:  TrackToyFour [ Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
I guess nothings been touched on Nigels suspension since it came off the production line 15 years ago. I think JP was extremely fortunate with the front struts on Muddy's 205 at Christmas. Not a job for the driveway unless you're brave or just plain lucky :twisted:
Author:  Muddy Water [ Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:13 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
I think JP was extremely fortunate with the front struts on Muddy's 205 at Christmas. Not a job for the driveway unless you're brave or just plain lucky

Are you feeling lucky punk?
I know you're asking yourself did he use 5 or 6.... :twisted:

I guess we were both brave and lucky :P
...brave enough to attempt the job (especially in conditions of -6 on the driveway) and lucky that everything went pretty straight forward. :D
Author:  CEL1CA [ Sun Mar 08, 2009 4:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
All credit to Peter and......some of his colleagues, I cant say in any way it lacked maximum effort. :shock:

But unlike mine these joints would just not give up :twisted: , and in respect of Mr Ts build the partly torn apart suspension, then bolted back together still managed to perform more than adequately for the journey back. It was only when I returned to the local road humps that you'd notice the additional play.

Can only think a possible solution to save banana arm replacement would be to sacrifice the link plate by cutting it to release the lower arm and fig of eight. But for how long before that too needs changing anyway ? It's all the joys of the superstrut. :?:

Will deffo get me camera out for round two, and hope its not gonna be a battle royal. :wink:

Cheers Nigel C. :)
Author:  TrackToyFour [ Sun Mar 08, 2009 6:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
Nigel, I have many spare banana arms if you get to the stage of damaging or destroying the ones on your car you are welcome to a couple. All you will require are new 'crush tubes' for the pickup points on the chassis. These are relatively inexpensive from TCB.
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