LP2a SAR restoration

[Phillip]

Practically all my suspension cups are knackered - either worn out or cracked and broken. With replacements being non-existent, I've been scratching my head as to what to do.

I explored several options and settled on this for my experiment - 65 RON Polyurethene with 10% graphite powder (by weight).

I'm not very happy with the mould as I used a silicone putty and it's left some gaps and odd shapes but the cups clean up so it is good enough for this experiment.

The blue cup is an original that I've rebuilt for the mould, second is the rough cast and last is partially finished.

The resultant cups are not yet as strong as the original (they need a week to fully cure) but the graphite is giving some good lubrication properties, just not sure how quickly they will wear - but then we're not doing many miles on them.

Does anyone have any experience with manufacturing replacement cups?

I also found the engine stand at Wayne's. Possession being nine tenths of the law, I relocated it back home and have nearly finished stripping the engine in prep for rebuild.

Overall, despite a huge amount of crud, it was in fair condition. I'll finished pulling it down and send it off for a bath to work out what needs doing.

[Lynn Eades]

Phillip, a chap over here made his cups by forming them from a white industrial plastic sheet. He told me he heated it in the oven, then pressed the sheet with the suspension ball and an arm. I cannot report on how well they have worked though.
It is great to see that you are having a go at a new angle.
Enjoying your thread. Thanks.

[Russell Boaler]

I made some replacement cups out of some pvc drainage pipe years ago. It was a case of simply cutting to approximately the right size, heating until soft then forming the cup by forcing the softened plastic into the socket using a spare suspension ball and the appropriately sized hammer. Then it was just a case of trimming to the right size and forming the slot. They seem to work alright and have been in place for 25 years. Haven't pulled the suspension unit apart to see how well they've worn though. I don't think the cups need to be particularly strong though... and I like the idea of using graphite.

[Phillip]

Its been slow progress over last few months, seem to be making small amounts of progress across a number of areas but no milestones achieved:

- Engine is all in pieces, waiting on parts;
- Diff is all in pieces, waiting on parts;
- Suspension is all in pieces, waiting on parts;
- Gearbox is all in pieces, waiting on parts;



Hopefully not too far away and all the ground work on the above will suddenly create a jump in progress.

Finally got the wheels up to Perth where, thanks to Wayne Henderson, they are now on their way to Hugh Davies in South Australia for the magical re-rubber treatment.

[Dale Jordan]

Good Move Phillip ! With the high Quality resto you are doing it will be the Icing on the cake Dale

[Phillip]

Thanks Dale,

I've been on the road and today I had my hands on two NOS Wheels. Unfortunately the owner (a MV collector) has left them outside for some time and they have rusted to the point where the the rubber is perished away from the rim

The gear selector rebuild has been completed, ready for when the final gearbox bearing arrives so I can rebuild that

[Dale Jordan]

Hi Phillip it's a good idea to cut off those two lung mounts flush with the side of top cover plate , as they can get in the road with gear change movement . Dale