03-02-2025, 11:19 PM
Right, where did January go?! I've been chipping away at the Austin's suspension, and it's coming along nicely.
Where we left off, the rear suspension was nearly there, just waiting on a last couple of pieces. The first of those was a new rear wheel stud.
When I stripped the axle down the hub flanges were a little distorted, I used my press to help flatten them out, but this left one of the rear wheel studs at a slightly wonky angle. I tweaked it straight but then wasn't comfortable that this was a good idea as it looked like there was some stress marks on the back on the stud.
I'm glad I listened to my gut, as once removed it was clear just how close to coming apart this stud was.
![[Image: 84ec49d17142.jpg]](https://img.retro-rides.org/i/v/goldnrust/84ec49d17142.jpg)
Once I'd acquired a stud I riveted it in. I used my press to compress the rivet, which worked really nicely.
![[Image: e1e9cc9257ce.jpg]](https://img.retro-rides.org/i/v/goldnrust/e1e9cc9257ce.jpg)
With that sorted I could once again install the wheel bearing and hub back plate. As an aside, I inherited a good selection of BSF/BSW spanners a couple of years back and am finally being able to put some of the more unusual ones to good use on the Austin! Several of my wife's older relatives had worked in the tool making factory Garringtons in Bromsgrove, and these spanners are ones they would have made. It's only a small detail but it's a nice little connection to the local history that this car has, being itself made only a few miles up the road.
![[Image: 3bc8ac6cd714.jpg]](https://img.retro-rides.org/i/v/goldnrust/3bc8ac6cd714.jpg)
The final task before I could sign off on the rear end for now was to sort the rear spring bushes. The ones fitted to the car, along wit the spring pins were definitely past their best, but luckily its easy enough to get hold of nice shiny new ones.
![[Image: 68b5d857e644.jpg]](https://img.retro-rides.org/i/v/goldnrust/68b5d857e644.jpg)
Just when you think it's going to be easy though... it turned out that one of my spring eyes was worn and the new bush instead of pressing in would just drop in and then rattle about. Thankfully a simple bronze bush is within my skillset and the capabilities of my little lathe so I turned up a new pair of oversized bushes. With that sorted I pressed them into the springs and reamed them to size.
![[Image: d892c54f53ef.jpg]](https://img.retro-rides.org/i/v/goldnrust/d892c54f53ef.jpg)
A very satisfying little task. And now the rear end is all ready to go back together! But before I did, it seemed prudent to get the mud and flood debris out that had been hidden under the boot floor, and in various other hiding spots. I could have done without it being January for such a wet job!
![[Image: 86775c38468d.jpg]](https://img.retro-rides.org/i/v/goldnrust/86775c38468d.jpg)
Still it looks much better for it, and it's nice to have a clean base to start bolting parts back on to. It went together fairly smoothly, with the exception of the rear spring pin cotters. My originals were knackered and so I'd purchased new ones. The new ones were just not fitting though. Thankfully the internet, and an article from the Bristol Austin 7 Club I believe, was able to put me right that I would need to trim the new pins down to fit and potentially file the taper also. Once I knew that it was a relatively simple task to fit them.
![[Image: 8d2e9fc05751.jpg]](https://img.retro-rides.org/i/v/goldnrust/8d2e9fc05751.jpg)
And so it now sits back on its rear wheels for the first time in a few months, which is a nice feeling. The rear dampers have been treated to a new set of friction discs, and theres new rubber in the end links. I used Loctite 660 on the slightly dubious taper on the drivers rear half shaft. The nut torqued up nicely, so time will tell if it holds!
With that sorted I've gone back to working my way through the front axle and steering parts. I've got the axle fully stripped now and am pleased to report that I've got two really good axle eyes for the king pins. It's a nice tight sliding fit. The pins themselves also seem in good condition. I suspect someone has been in here not so long ago and had some work done.
![[Image: 78dd94eb32d4.jpg]](https://img.retro-rides.org/i/v/goldnrust/78dd94eb32d4.jpg)
That said, I was able to measure around 0.010" oversize in the upper kingpin bush, and I think this is where my movement is coming from, so new bushes are on order.
From the reading I've been doing, I've decided to go with a modified front damper, immobilising the one side, to help locate the front axle better. I turned up a nylon bush, and then a steel shell to go round that bush which then press fitted, and welded for good measure, into the end of the damper arm. I also decided to go with a bronze centre bush instead of the nylon option to help further that rigidity.
![[Image: 37f2539ab0ca.jpg]](https://img.retro-rides.org/i/v/goldnrust/37f2539ab0ca.jpg)
The damper is now assembled with new friction discs, centre bolt and spider washers, ready to go back on the car.
I also fitted new track rod bushes. a little drift turned up from an old bolt made driving the old ones out easy and the new ones pressed in nicely.
![[Image: 3585e49e518c.jpg]](https://img.retro-rides.org/i/v/goldnrust/3585e49e518c.jpg)
And that roughly brings us up to date. I've think I'd got all the bits I need to finish off my front suspension and steering on order, so in the next few weeks hopefully the car can be back on 4 wheels, and then I'll finally have a clear enough bench to start digging into the engine and gearbox, which is, for me, the fun bit!
Where we left off, the rear suspension was nearly there, just waiting on a last couple of pieces. The first of those was a new rear wheel stud.
When I stripped the axle down the hub flanges were a little distorted, I used my press to help flatten them out, but this left one of the rear wheel studs at a slightly wonky angle. I tweaked it straight but then wasn't comfortable that this was a good idea as it looked like there was some stress marks on the back on the stud.
I'm glad I listened to my gut, as once removed it was clear just how close to coming apart this stud was.
Once I'd acquired a stud I riveted it in. I used my press to compress the rivet, which worked really nicely.
With that sorted I could once again install the wheel bearing and hub back plate. As an aside, I inherited a good selection of BSF/BSW spanners a couple of years back and am finally being able to put some of the more unusual ones to good use on the Austin! Several of my wife's older relatives had worked in the tool making factory Garringtons in Bromsgrove, and these spanners are ones they would have made. It's only a small detail but it's a nice little connection to the local history that this car has, being itself made only a few miles up the road.
The final task before I could sign off on the rear end for now was to sort the rear spring bushes. The ones fitted to the car, along wit the spring pins were definitely past their best, but luckily its easy enough to get hold of nice shiny new ones.
Just when you think it's going to be easy though... it turned out that one of my spring eyes was worn and the new bush instead of pressing in would just drop in and then rattle about. Thankfully a simple bronze bush is within my skillset and the capabilities of my little lathe so I turned up a new pair of oversized bushes. With that sorted I pressed them into the springs and reamed them to size.
A very satisfying little task. And now the rear end is all ready to go back together! But before I did, it seemed prudent to get the mud and flood debris out that had been hidden under the boot floor, and in various other hiding spots. I could have done without it being January for such a wet job!
Still it looks much better for it, and it's nice to have a clean base to start bolting parts back on to. It went together fairly smoothly, with the exception of the rear spring pin cotters. My originals were knackered and so I'd purchased new ones. The new ones were just not fitting though. Thankfully the internet, and an article from the Bristol Austin 7 Club I believe, was able to put me right that I would need to trim the new pins down to fit and potentially file the taper also. Once I knew that it was a relatively simple task to fit them.
And so it now sits back on its rear wheels for the first time in a few months, which is a nice feeling. The rear dampers have been treated to a new set of friction discs, and theres new rubber in the end links. I used Loctite 660 on the slightly dubious taper on the drivers rear half shaft. The nut torqued up nicely, so time will tell if it holds!
With that sorted I've gone back to working my way through the front axle and steering parts. I've got the axle fully stripped now and am pleased to report that I've got two really good axle eyes for the king pins. It's a nice tight sliding fit. The pins themselves also seem in good condition. I suspect someone has been in here not so long ago and had some work done.
That said, I was able to measure around 0.010" oversize in the upper kingpin bush, and I think this is where my movement is coming from, so new bushes are on order.
From the reading I've been doing, I've decided to go with a modified front damper, immobilising the one side, to help locate the front axle better. I turned up a nylon bush, and then a steel shell to go round that bush which then press fitted, and welded for good measure, into the end of the damper arm. I also decided to go with a bronze centre bush instead of the nylon option to help further that rigidity.
The damper is now assembled with new friction discs, centre bolt and spider washers, ready to go back on the car.
I also fitted new track rod bushes. a little drift turned up from an old bolt made driving the old ones out easy and the new ones pressed in nicely.
And that roughly brings us up to date. I've think I'd got all the bits I need to finish off my front suspension and steering on order, so in the next few weeks hopefully the car can be back on 4 wheels, and then I'll finally have a clear enough bench to start digging into the engine and gearbox, which is, for me, the fun bit!
