MadaboutKitcars

So did we get to the bottom of why the shock is mounted upside down? Is is just that it will not fit the correct way up with the new wishbone design?

Robin

No, not due to the new design. I put them on that way due to a) everyone else seemed to be doing it & b) it seemed that it would be easier to adjust at the top... If this isn't the correct fitment I'll be flipping them round asap!

They are fitted upside down and Gaz make them to run that way when Marlin order them.

They are fitted upside down as once the spring is set correct you dont need to adjust it. My New suspension on the exi still uses the shocks upside down and this is so that it is easy to adjust the damp and rebound.

Jon

What differences are there within the marlin supplied shock absorbers that determines what way up they are fitted?

Nothing as far as im aware just that Gaz are aware Marlin fit the upside down so when Marlin order them Gaz make sure that there is no air in the system atall so they still work.

Ok so it dosnt really matter which way up you mount them apart from the adjuster may foul the lower wishbone on the newer versions.

When I wrote to GAZ, I explained that they were fitted to a Marlin Sportster. Brian Gazzard (joint founder of the company) replied advising that they sholuld be fitted with the adjuster at the bottom.
He did not ask me if they were purchased from Marlin or say that "Marlin supplied units" can be fitted inversely.

It makes little difference to the access to the adjuster when fitted to a Sportster, so i've fitted mine as advised by GAZ.

Peter

Hey up lads, just read the Marlin Annual newsletter and spotted this paragraph.......
"OTHER SPORSTER NEWS…
Orders have steadily come in for our 30’s retro, GP styled Sportster sportscar throughout 2007 – most of which have been for full factory builds.
Just a reminder that the uprated Sportster wishbone system developed through racing, is now available for early cars as a retro-fit item."

Anybody heard of this before?

Interesting, there were no more specifics that I could see in the newsletter. I'd not heard that before

replacement of front wishbones

Hello builders

Thought we would have clarify the situation over one paragraph in our newsletter which refers to the new Sportster front suspension upgrade components.

This upgrade was brought about in order to reduce the number of different ball joints that were used on the Sportsters front suspension arms. In the past there were two types used now there is only the one, i.e. the same ball joint is now used both on the top and bottom of the upright.

The ball joint we have now decided to use is much more easy to obtain, less expensive, but most of all it looks better ;-)

We are very happy to offer a safety check if any of you are at all worried about the wishbone/suspension components supplied in your kit. We will freely replace any of those components any hint of faultiness :-)

Kind Regards
Terry & Mark

Thanks for the update, Terry.
Can you elaborate on the process for getting wishbones replaced?

If you emaill one of us a photo of the new type we will host it, so that we can all see what the uprated wishbone looks like.

Peter

re picture

The new wish bones use screw in ball joints as opposed to the originals which were press in types.

This should help as we do not have a picture at present.
Cheers
Terry

Thanks Terry!

Has anybody had an update on the availability of the new front wishbones?

I had an email from Terry on the 22 Jan indicating that they were about to start fabrication of the new wishbones the following week and that they would be available in 2/3 weeks but not heard anymore since hwell:

cheers

Peter

Last I heard it was the same as you 2/3 weeks.

Same story over in 5EXI land - at the end of Jan', 2/3 weeks for 5EXI suspension predicted.

I've had word today that they will be working on the components next week.

Looks like my wishbones are the same as yours Patrick.

I put a DTI on mine with the car jacked up and measured the flex when let down. There is considerable flex with just the cars weight let alone driving down a bumpy lane.
I have already had to modify the shock mounting a while back and, for peace of mind, I think that a couple of strengthening gussets either side of the ball joint would be good.

My turn to plead dumb, what's a DTI

Dial test indicator.

It's the clock-like thingy that engineers use to measure tolerance/movement between to components.
If you ever have to rebuild and Differential unit, you use one of these to measure the backlash between the gears.
I have one with a magnetic base so you stick the base on the wishbone arm and place the plunger of the DTI on the ball joint plate.
The dial needle deflects if the plate flexes.

I think just about sums it up!

Hi Patrick,
have you got your wishbones and mudgard stays replaced yet?
You must be itching to get your car back on the road for the spring weather.

cheers

Peter

No unfortunately I've not got any parts yet Terry has said the wishbones are ready to go, however they won't cover to lots of postage so I've asked all parts to be sent in one go when they are ready which means I'll have another weeks wait for the mud guard stays, steering rack, track rod ends, bushes and ball joints.

And yes, every time I look out the window on Saturday morning and it's a nice day I'd rather be out in the car than under it in the garage!

I’ve been in correspondence with Terry and Mark Mathews over the replacement of my front lower suspension arms.
Mark has now clarified that there is a “minimal” charge to customers for replacing the older type suspension arms like the one above that broke.
I had misunderstood their post to imply that this was a free upgrade.

To avoid any confusion, I would suggest anyone requesting replacement arms should first clarify the price of upgraded arms plus bushes and balljoints if they need replacing.

cheers, Peter