409 ride height and front suspension

MYTA21 · #1 (**permalink**) 20-05-09, 01:10 AM

Hello,
Still getting familiar with the new 409 and trying to solve a few niggles.
One of these is that the front ed is not on the low side as would seem to be the usual ailment, but relatively high still, having taking the rear up. I believe that a previous owner has fitted some yellow "King' springs. Does anyone have a measurement for the floor to wheel arch for the 409 please?
Suspension give light rattles; have changed a/r bar bushes and cannot feet play at the wheels. There does seem to be a little play in the UJ at the bottom of the column. Anyone changed just the actual UJ as opposed to the whole joint?
Finally, has anyone encountered an oil leak from the park cable as it goes into the housing. I have changed pan gasket, plus housing gasket, but still slight weepage from the cable as it enters the housing.
Many thanks for any help.
Mike Osborne

Kevin H · #2 (**permalink**) 20-05-09, 06:22 AM

Mike,
Brian Marelli once told me that the distance between the bottom of the front crossmember and the road should be about 5 inches. This was for a 411, but I doubt this would be very different for a 409. Of course the tyres you have on the car can make a difference.

My 411 sat a little high and I discovered that someone had fitted longer than original springs, probably to compensate for the disintegration of the "distance piece" PN 407-1-23117 .

If you decide to return your Bristol to it's former glory by fitting new springs and distance pieces, I would also suggest that you fit the spring isolator and retainer which were fitted to the 411, this should extend the life of the distance piece.

Regards,
Kevin

Edit/PS: to avoid any confusion these are the parts I am talking about - the top three parts in the picture, the bottom one goes at the bottom of the spring.

MYTA21 · #3 (**permalink**) 20-05-09, 08:10 AM

Many thanks Kevin,
I have saved the items you sent and will start some more investigations!
Height under cross member looks to be well over 6 inches.
Mike

Kevin H · #4 (**permalink**) 20-05-09, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MYTA21

Hello,
There does seem to be a little play in the UJ at the bottom of the column. Anyone changed just the actual UJ as opposed to the whole joint?

Mike, are you talking about the steering column?

And did you use new turret locking nuts when putting the wishbones back on?

Regards,
Kevin

MYTA21 · #5 (**permalink**) 20-05-09, 09:20 PM

Hello Kevin,
The UJ is of the earlier type - one piece column with UJ at the bottom. No
dismantling yet other than the AR bar bushes.
Mike

Kevin H · #6 (**permalink**) 20-05-09, 09:55 PM

Mike,
This is probably a stupid question to some, but what does "AR" stand for?

Kevin

MYTA21 · #7 (**permalink**) 21-05-09, 01:20 AM

Anti Roll - Sorry!
Mike

Kevin H · #8 (**permalink**) 21-05-09, 11:47 AM

Mike, I found it very hard to establish the condition of the wishbone bushes while the springs were installed and the bushes under load, but once the suspension was dismantled their true condition became evident!

If you change the bushes be sure to buy some new turret nuts which are item No.14 on this diagram

They don't have a part number but I bought some from Bristol for £1 each. I don't think you fill find them locally - they are ND half inch BSF but they are a half height nut with a locking feature which is not designed to be re-used if my memory serves me correctly (for £1 each it's not worth taking any chances).

Kevin

pasini s · #9 (**permalink**) 10-03-10, 08:09 PM

Hello,

I would like to rebuild the front suspension of my 409, but I would need a pair of track rod ends. Sorry to ask, but does anybody know if I can adapt something out of Jaguar or Aston parts bin (or maybe some light truck's)? This would make everything easier for me. Thanks!

Stefano