| Author |
Message |
J R K (Kenyon)
Member
Username: Kenyon
Post Number: 345
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 6:19 am: | |
If you lower the car will you note upset the air flow under the car at high speeds. ?? |
billy bob (Fatbillybob)
Member
Username: Fatbillybob
Post Number: 280
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 1:07 am: | |
Rexrcr,
What is "bob?" ? Not sure what you ment. Anyway, I was looking for a cheap trick to lower the car. The wd-40 thing does not work for me. So i'll have to make some spring compressors to fit between the "A" arm pieces and compress the spring to lossen it off the rubber spacer. As to bushings my latest quote direct from Italy is 2000 euros! By the time you do any minor tweeks to the 348 such as suspension and minor engine work I could junk it for a 355C and be way better off or I could pick up a ZO6 and race with my radio and A/C on and a coffee mug in my hand and be faster than the 355 with way less effort. I think for now I'm going to just lower the 348 to the ground and run it around the track as my training wheels. Then I'm going to get something faster in a sportscar or spec racer. |
Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member
Username: Rexrcr
Post Number: 646
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 7:20 am: | |
Bob? |
Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member
Username: Rexrcr
Post Number: 625
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 02, 2003 - 9:52 am: | |
Bob,
PB Blaster or WD40 may soften the grip of the old rubber so you can turn the spring platforms. Obviously, if you're lowering, the preload is reducing, so turning will get easier as you go. You can pull the entire assembly out of the car first, too.
Find my old post of the Bilstein shock tops to see the style that can be rebuilt and revalved. Don't trash the old dampers even if the shaft is bent, it can usually be rebuilt and modified. You can also go with new Bilsteins as in my old posts. Adjustable too.
Race cars don't run the rubber spacers on the spring platforms unless required by rules for production original parts. They're only for sound damping. A slick compromise is machining new ones from UHMW urethane.
I highly recommend the Ferrari Challenge bushings for racing. Compared to other race-quality bushings or bearings, they're a good deal. I don't have all the part numbers. Last time I priced them at retail, they ran about $80 each assembly. Very nice design converting your flaccid rubber bush to a Teflon-lined cylindrical bearing that takes axial and radial loads very well. I also recommend the special tools for removing the bushings with a press. Two sizes for 348.
While you're changing control arm bushings, buy F355 lower shock bushings. Direct replacement to 348 and won't squish out.
BTW, 348 Challenge/ F355 Challenge control arm bushings also fit other Ferrari's like the F40 and TR, 512TR. Nice upgrade for track cars. |
billy bob (Fatbillybob)
Member
Username: Fatbillybob
Post Number: 276
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 5:05 pm: | |
Question on lowering front suspension of 348. I have not got to the rear yet. Here is the situation. You can loosen the lock ring but when you turn the adjusting nut the spring winds up and everything springs back on release or wrench tension. This happens because the lower spacer rubber is really old and it is basically welded to the spring and adjusting nut and second because the spring is still in tension squeezing the rubber spacer onto the adjusting nut. So What I need to do is compress the spring to relieve tension so I can turn the adjusting nut. There is basically no clearance for spring compressors I have seen. Does anyone know what spring compressor fits the 348? I hate to have to make spring compressors...I am pretty lazy.
Second question maybe RexRcr can answer if the upper and lower spacers are really full rubber then the ultimate ride height is defendant upon these spacers being good. Mine look like beat up bushing rubber so if these are bad does anyone know of a better spacer I can use?
Third, If I go to the trouble of replacing the rubber spacers I may as well replace all the rubber bushings in the A-arms and at least either re dyno the shocks or go to something adjustable perhaps. Does anyone know who has decent bushings? RexRcr, should I junk my Bilsteins or rebuild/dyno them or buy new ones or do something else? Does a total shock change need a spring rate change too?
TIA
|
|