308 rear suspension | FerrariChat

308 rear suspension

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by jon s, Mar 9, 2005.

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  1. jon s

    jon s Formula Junior

    Mar 9, 2005
    509
    pocasset ma
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    jon shoukimas MD
    I am replacing lower rear A arm bushings in an 81 gtsi. Any special considerations or is this straight forward cart technology? Thanks.
     
  2. geekstreet

    geekstreet Karting

    Feb 7, 2005
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    Cam
    Many considerations, a primary one being the bush outer sleeve has to be tack-welded in place. Check the recent Tech articles (past 2 weeks) as the various ways of doing this job have just been covered in LOTS of great detail.
     
  3. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    May 4, 2001
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    What type of bushings are you going to use?
     
  4. Nuvolari

    Nuvolari F1 Veteran
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    Sep 3, 2002
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    While you are in there you might as well do the upper arms as well. The difference in labour is tiny. Also be sure to check the outer bushings as well. they have internal sleeves that can be replaced and are dirt cheap. When the rear end is that far apart it is foolish not to check these things. Do it right, do it once.
     
  5. chrismorse

    chrismorse Formula 3

    Feb 16, 2004
    2,150
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    chris morse
    Clean and lube the bushings on the cast upright.

    Check the boots on the axles.

    If you are considering SS brake lines, it would be quicker with all the stuff out of the way.

    Check the sway bar bushings.

    hth,
    chris
     
  6. Mike C

    Mike C F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 3, 2002
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    Mike Charness
    Make sure you do a 4-wheel alignment afterwards...
     
  7. jon s

    jon s Formula Junior

    Mar 9, 2005
    509
    pocasset ma
    Full Name:
    jon shoukimas MD
    thanks for your input. I've ordered stock bushings from ferrari of atlanta and will check the outboard sleve play. i'm also replacing all the sway bar bushings. is a four wheel realignment really needed if the old shims are reused?
     
  8. Nuvolari

    Nuvolari F1 Veteran
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    A 4 wheel alignment is definatly necessary as the new bushings will locate the suspension at different angles than before. Besides an alignment is cheap and does wonders for the ride.
     
  9. jon s

    jon s Formula Junior

    Mar 9, 2005
    509
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    jon shoukimas MD
    i'm new to this wonder of online mechanical support (god knows all those old alfa repairs would have been a lot easier); geekstreet suggested checking recent tech articles. how are those accessed? thanks.
     
  10. chrismorse

    chrismorse Formula 3

    Feb 16, 2004
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    chris morse
    Jon,

    Just curious as to why you went with stock rubber bushings rather than the improved poly bushings. If you want to stay as original as possible, i can undrstand that, cool.

    An alignment is definitely needed. After i did my bushings, i had a rough alignment and the guy took a 1/4 inch shim out of the left rear. the old bushings were badly cracked, fairly uniformly, top to bottom, right to left and front to rear, they all looked fairly uniformly shabby and the guy took a big bunch of shims out of one corner, so yes get the whole alignment done. for reference, the car handled fine and there was no irregular tire ware pattern evident before i did the rebuild.

    For what is worth, i would seggest that you drive the car for a couple of hundred miles to settle the suspension, that is to "normalize" the rubber bushings. Then have the suspension bushing sleeves tack welded to the A Arms. From my meager understanding, the ruber bushings are "bonded" to the sleeves. the sleeves are a tight fit into the a arms. so, if you do not kind of get things happy, you could end up with an uneven bushing preset. might make martha stewart blush, crabbing down the road, oh well, so much for good intentions,

    hth,
    chris
     
  11. maurice70

    maurice70 F1 Rookie

    Jan 25, 2004
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    maurice T
    Ive sort of already asked this question but I dont think I got a reply.As far as A-arm bushes I need 16 of one particular bush and for the rear do I need another 8 bushes for the outer part of the arm or are all the bushes the same?Do I then need another 8 bushes for the shocks?Please someone shed some light. Thanks
     
  12. geekstreet

    geekstreet Karting

    Feb 7, 2005
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    Cam
    Go back a few weeks (click on prev page #'s 2, 3, 4 on top-right of Tech Q&A display) & check for articles on suspension bushings. Here's a couple :

    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49955
    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50207

    Or try the Search in top toolbar.
     
  13. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2001
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    maurice -- Check the illustrations in the 308 SPC at the FerrariUK site:

    16 of the "30 mm" flexible (or polyurethane) bushing do the front inner and rear inner 308 A-arm joints.

    The rear outboard 308 A-arm joints are close-fitting cylindrical hard parts that need periodic relubrication. You'd only replace those parts if they're worn beyond a reasonable limit.

    The shocks use a different (flangeless) flexible bushing -- the quantity needed is 8 if doing all 4 shocks.
     
  14. Verell

    Verell F1 Veteran
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    May 5, 2001
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    Verell Boaen
    The bushings should be tack welded during initial installation. The compensation/normalizatin should be done by loostening the bushing thru-bolts which will let the inner sleeve rotate on the bolt, into it's natural position. You want to do this adjustment a couple of times:

    When you've installed the bushings, leave the bolts slightly loose. Use something to support the hubs. A Concrete block with a plank on it under each brake rotor is fine. Lower the car until the supports are carrying the car's weight. At this point, the car should be as level as possible. The bushings will have rotated on the bolts so that they aren't under tension.

    Now torque down the bolts.


    After a couple hundred miles, put the car up on the supports again, loosten the bolts, Give the ends of each sleeve a squirt of oil to help it slide on the bolt. let it sit a few hours, then re-torque the bolts.

    Now take it in for that wheel alignment.
     
  15. samtheclip

    samtheclip Karting

    May 30, 2004
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    Sam Pasceri
    Does anyone know what to torque the bolts on the a-arm bushings to?
     
  16. Nuvolari

    Nuvolari F1 Veteran
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    You won't be able to get a torque wrench on it. General feel is the order of the day here. Tight but not gorilla tight.
     
  17. maurice70

    maurice70 F1 Rookie

    Jan 25, 2004
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    Thanks Steve for your clear answer
     
  18. PeterS

    PeterS Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #18 PeterS, Mar 12, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  19. jon s

    jon s Formula Junior

    Mar 9, 2005
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    jon shoukimas MD
    geekstreet: thanks; i understand how to do this now. this chat is the best thing for us aging driveway mechanics since sliced bread. jon s.
     
  20. samtheclip

    samtheclip Karting

    May 30, 2004
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    Buffalo, NY
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    Sam Pasceri
    Sure you can get a torque wrench on it. Why wouldn't you?
     

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