Dimensions for converting std hub to FRP spec?

[dtq]

Anyone happen to have done this work at all? Im looking for what angle change and widening gets done to the shock absorber mounting on the front knuckles. I can try to work it out with trig but Im sure Ive heard of other people doing this mod either to fit FRP suspension or to cheaply repair a FRP.

Im converting my stock puma to run FRP spec suspension, Ive worked out how to do the wishbones (same way ford did - lengthen a stock wishbone 25mm) the rod ends - using ford focus I believe, driveshafts ford focus again seems a perfect donor - Ive checked side by side and the focus ones are the same both ends as the puma and about an inch longer (both sides appear to be longer by the same amount as well)... So all that remains is to get the hubs machined up to work with the slightly wider strut and the new angle its going to be sat at due to the wider track.

 

[yippeekiay]

Does doing all that automatically give you added camber caused by the extra 25mm track each side? Can't quite get my head round if it does or not but I'm thinking that's why your machining the hubs maybe, so it doesn't?.

Ah....just a thought....lol.

 

[dtq]

If I get the machining right it wont give me extra camber because Im trying to maintain the angle of the hub flange, and just shift it all out by 25mm. the reason for getting the angle the strut comes in "right" is to try to maintain the hub flange angle exactly as it should be.

Lengthening the wishbones by 25mm will mean that the strut bottom will be 25mm out from where it normally sits whilst the top stays the same meaning the angle is changing, I need to reangle (and widen) the clamp in order to accomodate that angle change (and the FRP strusts wider body) so that the strut doesnt pull the hub to an odd angle - that would increase camber. If I get the hubs machined right then the car will be 25mm wider each side, but all the steering pivot points etc will be the same in relation to the wheels.

 

[ScubaSteve]

does the frp use same top mounts?

 

[dtq]

does the frp use same top mounts?

Certainly looks like it with the set I have here. The rubber mounts are identical and the top bolts the same thread etc.

 

[ScubaSteve]

strange then i would have thought they wouldnt sit right. Wonder if the tops of the strut top in the wings are different..

 

[dtq]

strange then i would have thought they wouldnt sit right. Wonder if the tops of the strut top in the wings are different..

Its a matter of a few degrees the struts (and the tops) HAVE to move to all angles anyway to accomodate steering etc, the FRP suspension has those cone shaped springs to accomodate the extra movement, with stock dimension springs the lower end of the strut would be knocking ont he body work when trying to run at FRP angles, but the unique spring shape is what allows the extra movement.

 

[yippeekiay]

Would having a slightly higher camber not be a good thing for the twisties/track

Save doing any work to the hubs.

EDIT:- Just saw the body knocking sentence you've wrote. Needs doing then either way is what your saying.

 

[dtq]

Would having a slightly higher camber not be a good thing for the twisties/track

Save doing any work to the hubs.

I absoultely hated the excess camber on my old mk2 escort rally car after fitting the world cup x member. It MAY have been a little better on the corners but I felt I traded off too much straight line braking ability for the small cornering gain. Once bitten twice shy

 

[warrenpenalver]

excessive camber ruins tyres!!

the camber correction on the frp was done by drilling the hub to damper hole at an angle, hence the need for bigger diameter struts.

I cant remember who it was but someone ordered new FRP hub carriers from ford and there is a special code which means they take standard puma hubs and machine them correctly.

 

[dtq]

excessive camber ruins tyres!!

the camber correction on the frp was done by drilling the hub to damper hole at an angle, hence the need for bigger diameter struts.

I cant remember who it was but someone ordered new FRP hub carriers from ford and there is a special code which means they take standard puma hubs and machine them correctly.

yep, thats exactly what I want to do, take standard hubs and machine them correctly, just not sure if anyone has the specs required, If not Im gonna have to some head hurting maths to try to get it right

 

[ElDude at Allison Automotive]

strange then i would have thought they wouldnt sit right. Wonder if the tops of the strut top in the wings are different..

lol.. yes steve... they don't sit right at all... altho they are 'acceptable' :lol: :lol:

when you fit new ones the steering feels very light for a while as the 'half a top mount' settles in... :lol:

 

[massivewangers]

I'm sure I read on another forum that the guy with the FRP rally car bought a FRP hub from Ford relatively recently? Didn't even cost that much, despite them machining it.

That might be total rubbish of course :lol:

 

[dtq]

Got one ordered for ordered should be arriving soon. Will then duplicate that work for the otherwise.

 

[crossedmike]

Did we ever find out the angle and diameter. They needed to be milled out

Mike