Installing Dale's suspension

EvertonTiger

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Guys
I'm in Germany on a very hot day installing Dales new supension system as mine has just feel to pieces.

I lifted the unit in place and got the bolts in one side, but for the life of me I cannot align the other bolts. They are a semi circle out and with only the radiator to lever, which I don't want to do. Making it impossible to finish the job after five hours of trying.

Any tips?
 
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Bryan

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when i re-installed my cross member after being out for about 4 years. the frames can become a little off- i.e trailering -sandblasting- what-ever- I placed two 4x4 wood pieces on either side across frame ends with a small hyd. jack in between wood( had to cut ends of wood to match the different angle) it work just like a dream- didn't take a lot to get it to move- also one guy jacking and the other watching it move- hopes this might help- also are your upper supports rods installed?
 

EvertonTiger

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Thinking of getting a cargo strap and pulling it back. Rather than jacks.., but can also try that. Problem is the Germans don't have any shops open on a Sunday so looks like another weekend job
 

EvertonTiger

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Thanks for the help guys. Engine is more definitely in.

The car is beautiful and fast, the German authority's almost lost it when they had it on a rolling road. But as with all tigers, they take work. I think the better brakes I installed together with better tyres puts too much strain on old system.

Gone with dales as out of my cars this is my everyday special which I'm wanting since seeing them as a little kid in Liverpool with my twin. They are such a great car and in Germany no one knows what it is until it flys past them.

Ordered some cargo straps which I'll pull against body in an attempt to getting the alignment

Also wrote to dale for suggestions
 

HolyCat

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Pulling Frame Rails Closer

If you have to pull the frame rails closer, you may not want to wrap your straps around any body panels, such as the fenders. The body panels are more likely to give than the frame rails. Try to find a good place to wrap the straps around the frame rails themselves. It has been awhile since I was under the car and looking at this area, but if the radiator might restrict the frame rails from moving closer to each other, you might want to loosen up the radiator bolts on one side only.

Sounds like spreading the frame rails apart is a lot easier than pulling them closer to each other. Good luck!
 

HolyCat

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Thought of One More Thing

One more thing - if your front bumper is installed, you might want to loosen the bolt holding the support bracket to the front of the frame, but only on one side. Also look to make sure there is nothing that ties the two frame rails together in the front of the car. The idea is that you do not want to have anything that might restrict the frame rails on each side from being pulled together closer when you start to tighten on the straps.
 

EvertonTiger

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Hi David

I can get three bolts in but not the last even with cargo straps.

Going to have to rethink next steps and one might be bumper. Worth a try.

For now it's a cold beer as its 1030 and the wife will kill me if I spend another hour on the problem.

But thanks so much for the help!

Sean
 

0neoffive

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It's A Common Issue

I use two 3/8" X 18" guide rods which slide down thru the frame mount holes and into the cross member holes to help align things while jacking into place. On a few occasions, we needed to use four guide rods for the more stubborn critters.
 

EvertonTiger

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So just to be clear you install from the front and Jack between them? That I believe would work as I me really next to nothing out
 

steven

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I used threaded rod that cleared the chassis threads and allowwed the front end to be raised slowley to the chassis rails. worked for me.
 

0neoffive

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A Picture

I used threaded rod that cleared the chassis threads and allowwed the front end to be raised slowley to the chassis rails. worked for me.

You paint a better picture than I . . . . . . .
 

EvertonTiger

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Guys
No matter what I did, could not get there. I mean mm out, so close. Took into specialist tonight whom is busy for three weeks. I hate owningup to defeat but in truth I want her to be right for me and for future people as these are special little cars that's for sure.

Thanks for help, just wish my workshop was good enough to do it and I had the ability. But part of being an engineer is knowing when to call in the experts.
 
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