Countach Suspension - Heim Joints, factory or no? | FerrariChat
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Countach Suspension - Heim Joints, factory or no?

Discussion in 'LamborghiniChat.com' started by Caliautobahn, Aug 3, 2023.

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  1. Caliautobahn

    Caliautobahn Rookie

    Sep 7, 2009
    4
    San Francisco, CA
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    Scott Mercer
    #1 Caliautobahn, Aug 3, 2023
    Hi guys,

    I've been prepping to redo the suspension on my LP400S - starting to get a little clunk in the front end and the heims are all losing their little vinyl washers (not to mention the fact that the entire suspension is painted red). Setting up to redo brake calipers, shock absorbers, hubs, and suspension joints in one fell swoop.

    What do you guys think is state of the art for suspension parts? Best to Lamborghini or is there a better quality alternative? I've been through the forums looking at suspension posts - lots of talk about using aftermarket heims or even making up new rods with varying success, and some concern that the new Lamborghini stuff also isn't up to snuff. Are the old joints worth testing/keeping if they're still tight? Is there a source for the little vinyl washers to restore them if so?

    I know the lambo stuff is expensive, but I do run my car fairly fast and would like to make sure that the suspension is perfect and able to keep up - at least to 1980's standards ;)

    Thanks!

    Scott
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  2. EarlyCat

    EarlyCat Moderator
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    Mar 9, 2005
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    Shot gun shack in another part of the world
    #2 EarlyCat, Aug 3, 2023
    I think if you could find a better quality, you'd be better off. The Lamborghini part is marginal, just like the aftermarket. A new rod would be fairly easy & the are joints cheap. Long term (some place I just googled it, no affiliation or ever used it) https://www.heimjoints.net/. The easy button is just replace the joint with a factory part.
     
  3. sp1der

    sp1der F1 Rookie

    Jan 10, 2009
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    Simon Ashley
    #3 sp1der, Aug 4, 2023
    I made up new suspension tubes out of t45 tube and used motorsport heim joints way more capable and significantly more cost effective than the stuff from lamborghini which is made by one of the lower grade oem manufacturers. The front castor joints are more of an issue, it's the same joint as an alfa but has a smaller thread I am working on a fixture to re machine alfa parts.
     
  4. sp1der

    sp1der F1 Rookie

    Jan 10, 2009
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    Simon Ashley
    #4 sp1der, Aug 4, 2023
    Front suspension the lower wishbone bush is an alfa 105 part that pushes into the housing, the upper bush stuck with the oe part as it is angled.
     

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  5. jaisharma

    jaisharma Karting

    Aug 4, 2011
    213
    South east, UK
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    Jai Sharma
    #5 jaisharma, Aug 18, 2023
    On the rose joints, speaking to Mike Pullen in the past he mentioned he has used the highest spec as he could get (aeronautical). Regular ones wear quickly apparently.
     
  6. Caliautobahn

    Caliautobahn Rookie

    Sep 7, 2009
    4
    San Francisco, CA
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    Scott Mercer
    #6 Caliautobahn, Oct 12, 2023
    Just as a quick follow up - I've gone to Mike Pullen for the joints - he seems to have the experience and setup to source the aviation grade joints - less expensive and significantly more trustworthy than the current Lambo stuff - thanks Jai!
     
  7. Spyder-Man

    Spyder-Man Formula 3

    May 11, 2004
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    Rob
    #7 Spyder-Man, Oct 12, 2023
    We all use Mike for a reason. Hopefully comes good for you fella!
     
  8. jaisharma

    jaisharma Karting

    Aug 4, 2011
    213
    South east, UK
    Full Name:
    Jai Sharma
    #8 jaisharma, Oct 12, 2023
    That is good to hear.
     
  9. randomlambo

    randomlambo Formula Junior

    Feb 3, 2013
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    RI & MA border
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    DT
    #9 randomlambo, Oct 13, 2023
    Since you guys are talking about the LP400S suspension -- I'm trying to get an alignment of a restored Countach LP400S and the suspension link dimensions were lost in the restoration (since everything was taken apart for replating, etc.). Would anybody know where to find those values?

    Thank you!
     

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