Isuzu Trooper Owners Club UK™

rangerider · * Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 29

Mk1 SWB - Rear suspension

I had the back of my chassis "rebuilt" after some serious corrosion problems, however the person that did the work did it all so that the shackles run in line with the leafs. I am sure that the shackles should be at an angle so that the top of the shackle should be nearer the centre of the vehicle than the bottom.

Could somebody give me an idea of measurements so I can grind off the brackets and put them where they should be?

Unfortunately I cant supply pics as the truck is not local to me at the mo. So here goes with some terrible ascii art

Current

_____________--- Shackle
O Leaf
Axle

How I think It should look

_____________\ Shackle
O Leaf
Axle

If I am right I just need the horizontal distance between the top & bottom of the shackle, if someone would be so kind as to crawl under with a tape measure Smile

_________________
Yes its for wheel drive, yes it goes where a vectra fears to roll

Google · Sponsor

markymoan · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 21:16 Post subject:

Does this help ?
Give me a bit more info and i'll measure for you Smile

ps. sorry for the mud Laughing

_________________

rangerider · * Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 29

Thanks, drew a couple of lines in photoshop, but cant find the attatch image button.

Basically how far forward is the top of the shackle relative to the bottom.

Thx
_________________
Yes its for wheel drive, yes it goes where a vectra fears to roll

rangerider · * Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 29

The distance between 1 & 2, where 1 is directly above the rearmost part of the lower end of the shackle, and 2 is the rearmost part of the upper end.

_Chassis rail____1_____2__________
/ /
¦ / /
¦ / /
¦ / /
¦ / /
¦ / / Shackle
¦ / /
¦ / /
¦ / /
/ /
==================Leaf
_________________
Yes its for wheel drive, yes it goes where a vectra fears to roll

rangerider · * Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 29

ooops, I hate smart editors! that should have been a wonderful representation Crying or Very sad

_________________
Yes its for wheel drive, yes it goes where a vectra fears to roll

markymoan · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 22:18 Post subject:

I dont think there is an exact measurment, even fuel in the tank will make a difference.
But its not supposed to be vertical, thats about it really unless someone else can add to this Confused

_________________

markymoan · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 22:20 Post subject:

Oh and pics have to be hosted, then use IMG tags Smile

_________________

rangerider · * Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 29

Thanks, mine arent vertical, but almost horizontal!!

They pretty much follow the line of the leaf spring, least I know know why the ride is suddenly so harsh with the back end jumping in the air every little bump in the road.

Luckily it don't have to be perfect as the old bus will never go thru another MOT, I just want it as a plaything to be trailered around.
_________________
Yes its for wheel drive, yes it goes where a vectra fears to roll

markymoan · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 22:46 Post subject:

I just had a thought, the mesurment from centre to centre,
front to rear of the mountings would be better.
front bush to back top as such, from the centre of the bushes.
If you get what i mean.
_________________

Grandad · ******* Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 1902 Location: NORFOLK

thats right Marky it can only be set in the right position by measuring from the front bush to the rear
where the rear spring eye is varies with weight and how good the spring is

markymoan · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 23:20 Post subject:

I'll measure mine in the morning and post it, its a bit dark now Laughing

_________________

jonkem · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 0:29 Post subject:

Sounds like it could be "springbound". It would be very difficult to weld the mounts that far out!
They should sit with the bottom bush just behind the vertical with a standard load on them. If the measurement Marky gives is the same as yours, you will need to lever the shackles back to the correct position with the axle drooping right down possibly with shocks disconnected.
I had this half way through a trial and couldn't understand why I suddenly had on articulation!
_________________
1994 KZJ70 Cruiser (currently filling the garage and causing some head scratching)
1988 MKI 3.1td Hybrid Van (Ex Bobtail)
1991 SWB Fronty 2.8td Hybrid
2000 Astra Estate (work)
2006 VXR Astra
MK1 SR Nova

rangerider · * Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 29

Basically the entire last foot or so of the chassis rails were cut off and replaced with oversize box section. I would guess that everything was supported on stands then the shackle mounts just offered up and welded in place where they "fell" so to speak.

Soon as I get back to the inlaws where the truck is stored I shall grab a couple of pics as a "how not to do it" Smile

Im actually going to have to either grind off the mounts after supporting the bus and then have them re-welded in a more intelligent place, or just get entirely new mounts fabricated and then put them in place
_________________
Yes its for wheel drive, yes it goes where a vectra fears to roll

markymoan · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 11:47 Post subject:

Ok I get 45 1/2 inches/ 1155mm
From the centre of the front spring bolt to the centre of the top rear shackle bolt.
_________________

:::Matski::: · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 13:49 Post subject:

If you paid someone to do it, then IMO they should move them for you.
_________________
Front Aussie Locker - Rear LSD - Petrol Diffs
2" Lift - 1" Body lift - +2" shocks - 32" KL71s
2.5" free flow stainless system - TMIC - 20psi Boost
Suckin' Diesel Baby!