24-10-2013, 09:37 AM
now ready to start reassembly, got the wishbones cleaned up and the 'cheap' ebay P bushes and Poweflex 'black series' bushes, re the cheap ebay P bushes they look excellent much better then the pressed steel things I took off.
![[Image: 2013-10-23193017_zpse1c4bcb2.jpg]](http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee300/budd_album/2013-10-23193017_zpse1c4bcb2.jpg)
I need to nip down to the motor factors for some new lower ball joints and track rod ends then it can all go back on, well everything apart from the struts, Which are a major cause for concern, the damage to the Konis is a real worry, I initially thought about removing the locating tab and allowing them to be pushed into the hub a little further, in theory this would remove the access camber caused by the bent strut base by allowing the hub to clamp it on a straight piece of tube, but in reality I don’t know if there’s any internal damage, in the end I don’t think it’s wise to refit them at all, which leaves me with a problem I need a suspension solution on the cheap, well contrary to my previous statement about cheap and nasty coilover kits I’ve gone and bought a set of cheap but hopefully not to nasty coilovers.
So why the change of heart? Well as usual it’s all about money or lack of it for this project, to replace the Koni dampers I’m looking at around £160 each, then I still need a pair of springs which is another £100+, then add the P bushes (admittedly cheap at £15 the pr but it all adds up ), £35 for the for the Powerflex bushes, track rod ends £12, pr £20 pr of ball joints it starts becoming quite a list and adds up to over £500, also I’m still using the OE rear dampers so at some time down the line these to need to be changed and would add a further £200 to the bill.
The original plan was to sort the front suspension problems and uprate the springs replace any worn or damaged parts, my estimate for this was around £200 (or £100 each as costs are split between me and my navigator) obviously the damage to the Koni dampers was unexpected and while I could risk refitting them it simply isn’t worth it.
With all this in mind I did some searching and have found various cheap coilovers kits on ebay (where else ) there are quite a few kits ranging from £170 up to £500 plus, I’ve just ordered the cheapest on offer from a trader called Hot tuning, the kit is a TA Technics kit for which the vendor accepted £150, now to put this in perspective that’s £150 for front and rear dampers, coil springs and a C spanner, on the face of it that’s exceptional valu. plus it adds a pair of rear dampers I hadn't budgeted for on the first place..
OK it’s only good value if they work and don’t fall to bits within a week, but honestly how bad can they be?
Prior to ordering I did some research on various forums and found quite a lot of positive comments on this particular kit, admittedly there was some negative comments to so it’s not all good news but the neg comments were largely concerning harsh ride with most saying that the build quality and service was very good, so I figured they were worth a punt, tie will tell if they are OK or are cheap and nasty.
I’ve always being a believer in ‘you get what you pay for’ and in general I still do but £150 is £150 and a massive saving, it’s the difference between halting the project till and re thinking / finding more money etc, in the end I’m reserving judgment till the kit as arrived and is fitted, obviously I’ll post my findings good or bad.
![[Image: 2013-10-23193017_zpse1c4bcb2.jpg]](http://s235.photobucket.com/user/budd_album/media/2013-10-23193017_zpse1c4bcb2.jpg.html)
I need to nip down to the motor factors for some new lower ball joints and track rod ends then it can all go back on, well everything apart from the struts, Which are a major cause for concern, the damage to the Konis is a real worry, I initially thought about removing the locating tab and allowing them to be pushed into the hub a little further, in theory this would remove the access camber caused by the bent strut base by allowing the hub to clamp it on a straight piece of tube, but in reality I don’t know if there’s any internal damage, in the end I don’t think it’s wise to refit them at all, which leaves me with a problem I need a suspension solution on the cheap, well contrary to my previous statement about cheap and nasty coilover kits I’ve gone and bought a set of cheap but hopefully not to nasty coilovers.
So why the change of heart? Well as usual it’s all about money or lack of it for this project, to replace the Koni dampers I’m looking at around £160 each, then I still need a pair of springs which is another £100+, then add the P bushes (admittedly cheap at £15 the pr but it all adds up ), £35 for the for the Powerflex bushes, track rod ends £12, pr £20 pr of ball joints it starts becoming quite a list and adds up to over £500, also I’m still using the OE rear dampers so at some time down the line these to need to be changed and would add a further £200 to the bill.
The original plan was to sort the front suspension problems and uprate the springs replace any worn or damaged parts, my estimate for this was around £200 (or £100 each as costs are split between me and my navigator) obviously the damage to the Koni dampers was unexpected and while I could risk refitting them it simply isn’t worth it.
With all this in mind I did some searching and have found various cheap coilovers kits on ebay (where else ) there are quite a few kits ranging from £170 up to £500 plus, I’ve just ordered the cheapest on offer from a trader called Hot tuning, the kit is a TA Technics kit for which the vendor accepted £150, now to put this in perspective that’s £150 for front and rear dampers, coil springs and a C spanner, on the face of it that’s exceptional valu. plus it adds a pair of rear dampers I hadn't budgeted for on the first place..
OK it’s only good value if they work and don’t fall to bits within a week, but honestly how bad can they be?
Prior to ordering I did some research on various forums and found quite a lot of positive comments on this particular kit, admittedly there was some negative comments to so it’s not all good news but the neg comments were largely concerning harsh ride with most saying that the build quality and service was very good, so I figured they were worth a punt, tie will tell if they are OK or are cheap and nasty.
I’ve always being a believer in ‘you get what you pay for’ and in general I still do but £150 is £150 and a massive saving, it’s the difference between halting the project till and re thinking / finding more money etc, in the end I’m reserving judgment till the kit as arrived and is fitted, obviously I’ll post my findings good or bad.