308 Rear Suspension Rebuild | FerrariChat
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308 Rear Suspension Rebuild

Discussion in '308/328' started by Turk512, Apr 13, 2008.

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  1. Turk512

    Turk512 Rookie

    Jan 19, 2008
    35
    San Diego, CA
    Full Name:
    Kev Hashas
    #1 Turk512, Apr 13, 2008
    To all the 308 experts, an important question. I have rebuilt the rear suspension on my 85 308. Everything is reassembled, however, I have not torqued the control arm bolts or bushing bolts yet. Do these bolts need to be torqued while the suspension is in the proper ride height geometry? I am guessing so, but would like someone to verify. My thought is that tightening the bolts while the suspension hangs (while up on the lift), will shear the rubber bushings when the weight is put back on the car. Am I on or off the mark here? Any inputs?
     
  2. Owens84QV

    Owens84QV F1 Rookie

    Oct 2, 2001
    4,486
    Somewhere in NC
    Full Name:
    Greg
    #2 Owens84QV, Apr 13, 2008
    You will want to have the car resting in the as-driven position. Some people lower their car onto "elephant stands" and then get under the car to tighten the bolts. The elephant stands get your car ~1 - 1.5 ft. off the ground so you can get clearance to get to the bolts. If you tighten-torque the bolts when the wheels / suspension is hanging, you'll preload the suspension which is not good.
     
  3. pad

    pad Formula 3

    Sep 30, 2004
    1,426
    Tequesta, FL
    Full Name:
    Paul Delatush
    #3 pad, Apr 13, 2008
    When I rebuilt the suspension on my '83, I had all bolts torqued as part of the 4 wheel alignment procedure.
     
  4. Andrew Bolton

    Andrew Bolton Karting

    Aug 20, 2004
    155
    Spring, Texas
    Full Name:
    Andrew Bolton
    #4 Andrew Bolton, Apr 13, 2008
    Just a guess, but I reckon that lightly greasing the bushing and then torquing the bolts is not an option? Thus the car could be torqued while it's still up. Seems like it would remove the pre-loading issue and, assuming that bushings are not affected by the grease, having them slippery shouldn't change the way they function. Rank amateur input here.

    Andrew
     
  5. chrismorse

    chrismorse Formula 3

    Feb 16, 2004
    2,150
    way north california
    Full Name:
    chris morse
    #5 chrismorse, Apr 13, 2008
    Simple rule,

    If it is rubber - tighten it "at rest", with the tires bearing the normal load, no lube, since some lubes are detrimental to the rubber.

    If it is Poly, lube it up with the supplied grease, torque it, up or down.

    get it realigned.

    hth,
    chris
     
  6. Turk512

    Turk512 Rookie

    Jan 19, 2008
    35
    San Diego, CA
    Full Name:
    Kev Hashas
    #6 Turk512, Apr 13, 2008
    Thanks guys. Right now the car has it's weight on the suspension and I'm just allowing it to settle for a couple of days while I'm away, then I will tighten all the bolts. That will be on Wednesday, so any additional inputs are welcome till then. Thanks again.
     

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