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JonandJude
United Kingdom
84 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Feb 2015 : 22:07:58
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Thanks for all of that 1922, I was a bit worried when you see one company has seperate listings for saloon and estate but then they turn out to be the same part number!?
Got it pretty much sorted now, yea the original top nut in the strut was staked in place but a little careful use of a fine chisel and mechanics friend had that sorted and then I made a simple tool to unscrew it from the strut leg so the new one screwed back in nicely :)
Pleased to have found a source for the replacement top bearings as well as that was the real issue in the first place although there seems to be some discussion around some fast backs using a 22mm bearing. From what I've found the replacement shocks all have a 19 mm shaft so that's going to complicate things for those owners come replacement time.
I think I might do a post of the whole process when I'm finished in case there are others worried about it.
Cheers
1972 Rapier H120
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Edited by - JonandJude on 11 Feb 2015 21:31:12 |
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1922
United Kingdom
549 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2015 : 20:12:47
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Don't take any notice of that whole "the Fastback is based on the estate" thing, I think that story comes from them using the same rear-lamps.
The fastbacks have got just as much, perhaps more, in common with the saloons. A good read of the parts book will show that the Rapier has more in common with the Hunter GT and Humber Sceptre and the H120 with the Hunter GLS (especially with regard to engine, gearbox and springs).
Though if you need a rear axle - the estate and the 1500 saloon use the same ratio as the H120 (but all the axles from any of the 68-76 Rapier/Hunter/Sceptre/Minx/Gazelle/Arrow will fit).
On both my Rapiers I've used early model Sierra springs (40% uprated) - these are much narrower than the later Sierra and fit the 1973 onwards type of strut perfectly.
I used Spax 10 way strut inserts (it was years ago). Mine came with new aluminium nuts which were taller than the original. The big problem I had with these was getting the existing nut out of the strut. The strut was hammered into the nut to prevent it coming loose ("staked"). This stretched the metal and after bending the metal to get the nut out the new nut wouldn't stay in. I had to attack the strut with a hack saw and a welder to get the top of the strut back to the correct size - a right pain in the ****.
Lowering and stiffening the front end made a huge improvement to the handling - cornering is much flatter and the side winds on the motorway don't bother it anymore. You'll be glad you did it 
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JonandJude
United Kingdom
84 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jan 2015 : 21:46:59
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Bit more progress, got a set of top mount bearings on order as well as the springs.
Ordered the springs from coilsprings.co.uk but have to wait 3 weeks for delivery. Hopefully the bearings should be here Monday/Tuesday and I have the bushes to do so something to keep me busy for a while.
1972 Rapier H120
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Fastback Thomas
Belgium
423 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2015 : 21:43:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Fastback Thomas
I've got my "new" uprated and shortened springs from Gartrac.
They don't really list them for the sunbeam rapier but I believe they were actually escort or sierra springs of some sort... there's another thread about it on here.. I'll try to look up the info I have...
This is what I found...
at first I was told early Sierra springs fit.
But eventually bought (Rally) Escort Mk2 Coil Springs, rate 175lbs x 11" free length,
they also have a ID of 105mm and they were £33.45 each inc Tax.
These came from Gartrac: https://www.gartrac.com
I haven't fitted them to my car yet but Andy Beaumont, who is also on the forum, has them on his rally rapier.
 
'68 Sunbeam Rapier fastback {B341006846 OD/LHO} Restoration Project
'73 Sunbeam Rapier fastback {AAD 781863 } My Daily Driver
I like a car that looks normal but really knocks your socks off!!
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Fastback Thomas
Belgium
423 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2015 : 21:03:41
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I've got my "new" uprated and shortened springs from Gartrac.
They don't really list them for the sunbeam rapier but I believe they were actually escort or sierra springs of some sort... there's another thread about it on here.. I'll try to look up the info I have...
'68 Sunbeam Rapier fastback {B341006846 OD/LHO} Restoration Project
'73 Sunbeam Rapier fastback {AAD 781863 } My Daily Driver
I like a car that looks normal but really knocks your socks off!!
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JonandJude
United Kingdom
84 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2015 : 22:38:30
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So got the dampers changed today and actually not a difficult job at all. Now waiting to hear from the bearing place in the morning, fingers crossed, and it can all go together again.
I took a few pics while I was doing it so might post them up if anyone else is interested as it really wasn't a difficult job.
Also is it me or are www.coilsprings.co.uk a little odd!?
1972 Rapier H120
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JonandJude
United Kingdom
84 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2015 : 21:45:09
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Cheers Andy
1972 Rapier H120
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retro68
United Kingdom
70 Posts |
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JonandJude
United Kingdom
84 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2015 : 18:52:14
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That's good to hear it's a do-able job but I think the bearings maybe shot as there is a clear knock when you bounce the car.
1972 Rapier H120
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retro68
United Kingdom
70 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2015 : 17:51:32
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| Hi, my local garage managed to fit the spax inserts using original bearings etc and I used a company in Sheffield to make lowered and slightly stiffer coil springs, they have the pattern for the rapier and only require the year of your car. You don't need to send the old spring, Andy. |
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JonandJude
United Kingdom
84 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2015 : 16:22:43
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At the moment the car has coil clamps fitted, not by me, and I quite like the lower ride height so was thinking of getting some an inch or 2 lower and maybe just a tad stiffer.
I've seen a few posts about using the Sierra lowering springs so guess thats the eay to go.
All depends on Larkspeed at the moment, yesterday it was fine to return them if I didn't want to do the rebuild, today it seems they're not so keen and want to consult spax first :(
1972 Rapier H120
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andyb
United Kingdom
367 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2015 : 14:37:15
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are you re using the std springs ?
sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand |
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JonandJude
United Kingdom
84 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2015 : 12:32:04
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Yep that's were mine will be goingwhen it defrosts long enough outside for me to brave a set of spanners.
1972 Rapier H120
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andyb
United Kingdom
367 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2015 : 08:42:57
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I sent mine to Gaz the cost was approx £170 inc return postage.
sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand |
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JonandJude
United Kingdom
84 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2015 : 16:45:32
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Well spax shocks arrived today and despite them being described as struts and showing a picture of a strut they are actually just inserts.
Not sure now if to attempt a rebuild or just return them and send the whole lot of to Gaz and let them do it.
Does anyone know if the various other internals are available such as the top bearing and seal?
Cheers
Jon
1972 Rapier H120
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Topic |
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Spax adjustable front struts
