3200 - 4200 Suspension Geometery Checkover

[alfatwo]

Before I put the old 3200GT to bed for the winter in November I'd like someone who knows what there doing to check and adjust the ride height and put the front and rear suspension back to the factory spec

I've replaced all the worn bushes and two rear dampers....In 13 years exept for the odd tyre shop adjust Its never been done

So who would you trust,Ive heard Rob Grimaldi's good at this sort of stuff and howabout SB Race Engineering...

What do you think guys

Dave

 

[alfatwo]

I get the feeling we're not to technical on here are we guys....like her indoors always says,all talk and no trousers!

 

[Parisien]

....plenty of techie types on the forum Dave.......they are still out working on their Masers ......


P

 

[Grinzzz]

Never looked at a 3200 - what is it? Adjustable coilovers? If it is then it's a simple matter of knowing the standard measurements and dropping/raising to that level. Virtually any competent mechanic that knows what the measurements are and what the reference points are could do it. I'd only turn to places like SB if I wanted corner weighting or such (and couldnt just borrow the kit from a mate).

Bill McGraths will almost certainly be able to do it. I'd guess anywhere with the service manuals would have the info, unlike corner weighting it doesnt require much skill.

 

[alfatwo]

Thanks for waking up guys... Grinzzz, all 3200/4200 springs are colour coded for length and poundage and these's lots to choose from.. fact you need the correct shims on the wishbones too..

Never looked at a GS either,all talk and no trousers!

 

[BennyD]

The beauty of a GS/4200 is that we can use them through the winter, so need to lay them up. I'll be using mine, roof down no matter how cold or frosty!

 

[Grinzzz]

Hmm if theyre not coilovers you're right, stick to a specialist, but doesnt need to be a race prep specialist to get her back to standard. Migliore in Bromsgrove and Bill McGraths down our way would probably both be more than capable. Used them both and cant fault them so far.

There must be a standard for the springs though - can't believe they had different springs on the options list, or did they?

GS is easy, basically coilovers with adjustable collars; the skyhook stuff is inside the damper (think it's just a valve that opens and changes the damping rate). Only took about an hour to corner weight mine. Going to undo it though - it just doesnt look right as its just a little below standard at the rear but high at the front, looks like it's sat on its haunches. Feels awesome though, turn in is very sharp, and the understeer reduced a lot.

 

[alfatwo]

Nice one Benny, but we were talking suspension geo!
cheers mate..

 

[BennyD]

No problem, here to help!

 

[BennyD]

Looking at Eurospares the 3200 looks very similar to the 4200 with coil overs. Any Indie will let you know the ride heights which you can set yourself and get the geo done just about anywhere. A full Hunter alignment will probably be the best way to go as it gives a complete read out. Not cheap but worth it if it saves on tyre life. Just a thought.

 

[alfatwo]

Grinzz, 3200's are exactly the same,dampers,skyhook,springs ect, maybe not so stiff on the spring rates though

My old 3200GT needs a stiffer front roll bar,as it rolls around like a M3 BMW!

Thanks Benny...you wouldn't believe the differance in a well set up 3200/4200,Its amazing!

Dave

 

[BennyD]

Would a GS roll bar fit the 3200? The 3200 and GS roll ars are different part numbers so it may be heavier duty.

 

[CatmanV2]

Grinzz, 3200's are exactly the same,dampers,skyhook,springs ect, maybe not so stiff on the spring rates though

My old 3200GT needs a stiffer front roll bar,as it rolls around like a M3 BMW!

Thanks Benny...you wouldn't believe the differance in a well set up 3200/4200,Its amazing!

Dave

I'd start with Bill McGrath. He seems to know what he's talking about when it comes to suspension set up.

C

 

[Chrisbassett]

I just had my suspension aligned at wheels in motion in chesham, but they may have other branches near to you. Gave me a full readout from their Hunter machine, including the standard spec, allowed tolerances and how close they had come. Even included pictures of what the did. Cost £180. Not sure if it's exactly what you are looking for, but my car feels much more sorted now.

Oh, and it was a recommendation from Mark (MAF) on this forum, so search for them and you will see his praise too.

 

[Grinzzz]

If you're running standard gear but want the ride hight resetting - any indie that has a service manual, a flat surface and a ruler.
If you want to return a non-standard car to standard (ie suspect the springs may have been changed) - somewhere like McGraths.
Corner weighting - choose somewhere like SB that does race prep.
If you want to tune the suspension to get the best handling/ride - no idea, I've spoken to quite a few places but I dont think anyones done enough work to tell yet!
Wheel alignments - get the string and ruler out!

How does your car behave under very heavy braking? Does it dive a lot with the rear end lifting up? If it does that I'd go stiffer springs first, once your happy with that if it still rolls too much then go heavier arb.

 

[Rex B]

Hi

If you are looking to reduce roll then fit the AC Roll bar and bushes, it straight swop and from only costs around £120.


Rex B

 

[alfatwo]

If you're running standard gear but want the ride hight resetting - any indie that has a service manual, a flat surface and a ruler.
If you want to return a non-standard car to standard (ie suspect the springs may have been changed) - somewhere like McGraths.
Corner weighting - choose somewhere like SB that does race prep.
If you want to tune the suspension to get the best handling/ride - no idea, I've spoken to quite a few places but I dont think anyones done enough work to tell yet!
Wheel alignments - get the string and ruler out!

How does your car behave under very heavy braking? Does it dive a lot with the rear end lifting up? If it does that I'd go stiffer springs first, once your happy with that if it still rolls too much then go heavier arb.

Grinzz,
The steering just feels disconnected and it tramlines all over the place,(new tires all round) also the ride height is lower on the drives side...
Maybe due to the springs saging slightly what with the driver and the heavy battery always on the same side on a RHD car

My old Ford Anglia handled better!

I'll give McGraths a call on Monday and see what they have to say

Thanks guys..




I'll

 

[BennyD]

As a matter of interest, what tyres are you using?

 

[Grinzzz]

Grinzz,
The steering just feels disconnected and it tramlines all over the place,(new tires all round) also the ride height is lower on the drives side...
Maybe due to the springs saging slightly what with the driver and the heavy battery always on the same side on a RHD car

My old Ford Anglia handled better!

I'll give McGraths a call on Monday and see what they have to say

Thanks guys..

Steering feels disconnected.....tramlines. When I have those two things together it normally means worn mounting points/bushes in the suspension/steering. Depends on how you describe the feeling you get from the car - but if I was using those words 9 out of 10 times it would be bushes. Suspension mounting point bushes could also be the reason it sits lower on the drivers side as well - worn bushes allowing the car to sink lower. Could be springs - I'd be surprised though. I've not seen a decent modern car suffer from saggy springs yet - quality control has improved no end since the 80's!

Personally I'd get the complete suspension checked for wear, any problems corrected, then get a wheel alignment done (second most usual cause - although normally a car that tramlines due to alignment isnt described as "disconnected" as well) and see how that works out before messing around with springs.

Andy