Marks Vitesse

[Mark]

Fitted a dash top digital Speedo today, also added a couple of usb ports. Previously used the 12v cigarette lighter style power supply with a twin usb plugged into that, but all got a bit bulky.

Fitted out of necessity, after the introduction of more 20mph zones in my area,  Fitted one to the gt6 a while back for the same reason, as I can't rely on the accuracy of the triumphs speedos at such a low speed. Sometimes takes several seconds on initial start up to pick up a signal, mainly depending location, but happy with the performance.  Not a fan of dash top accessories, but needs must.

 

[Mark]

It's been a while. I've been using the car along with the GT6 and motorcycle and still only covered about a 1000 miles in the past few years following its restoration. Noticed the clutch master fluid (silicon) level had dropped slightly the night before a 200 mile round trip to take my nephew to pick up a new motorcycle. Couldn't find anywhere I could buy DOT 5, only online, but filled the Vitesse up with fuel, thinking the leak must be slow and clutch was working fine.

On the way back from getting fuel I could hear a slight squeak coming from the front offside. The steal loop that is welded to the bonnet pivot tube had disappeared about a month before and I had to remove the o/s bonnet spring. This had altered the bonnet alignment slightly. Tried pushing up and down on the bonnet but no squeak. Lifting the bonnet I could see that the AVO shock top mount rubber had gone! I Posted a pic, can't remember on who's thread, of the crumbling rubber, I was going to keep an eye on it and order some new ones. Pending Hernia op, not feeling like jacking cars up and other options of transport I had let it go. Ordered some Super Pro replacement bushes after seeing this and had a closer look today. Firstly rebuilt the clutch master and awaiting silicone fluid which is ordered. Jacked up the O/S front and was unpleasantly surprised at what I found.

I bought the AVO shocks new during the restoration, and must be getting on for 10 years old, but at least half that time they where fitted to a rolling chassis, in a lock-up. The top rubber bush has just crumbled away, the bottom bush is shagged. For some reason the the other top bush, the one that fits under the top spring mount in intact. Pictured below is what I found.

The shock rod although worn, hasn't damaged the thread. Not sure if just fitting new bushes would be enough, or maybe carefully build up with weld and file smooth or sleeve it?. The top spring seat is knackered as can be seen, think I may have a spare somewhere, if I can find it.

By the time I piss ball about trying to find and buy new bushes for the AVO shocks, the super pro bushes were £24.00 alone, I may just cut my loses and buy some new GAZ front adjustable shocks, think they are  around £200 for a pair with adjustable pans, whats your thoughts?

[RedRooster]

I've got the Gaz shocks, they have been alright so far. 

[andymcp]

+1 for Gaz shocks

[Nick Jones]

The AVO shocks of that vintage seem designed to fail. The bottom bushes in particular last a few thousand miles tops. Not enough load bearing area and too much rotation. It is possible to fit spherical bearings instead (the reason for the compromised bush design!) and I would suggest doing that if planning to persist with them, though bear in mind that the similar set I had were shot after about 20k. 

The top is just rubbish bush material and could have happened with any damper.  

There is info on here on how to convert to spherical bearings, written by Mr Sideways himself. IIRC the best technical solution involves drilling out the wishbone hole which is why I avoided doing it.

[Mark]

On 9/5/2024 at 10:12 AM, Nick Jones said:

There is info on here on how to convert to spherical bearings, written by Mr Sideways himself.

You reminded me I had some spherical bearings and spacer for AVO's I had originally used on the rears, with a flat transverse spring, short shocks with assisted springs. I found it to firm to live with on roads with speed bumps/cushions? every 50 yards.

I have AVO 380lb, 2.25 diameter springs. Noticed that the spring is a slightly smaller diameter, about 5mm than the Triumph top pan and was sitting off center. I do remember seeing this back when I first fitted them, but for some reason wasn't concerned enough to do anything about it. I also noticed one of the heads of the three studs was just catching the spring.  I roll some steel to the ID of the AVO spring ground of a quarter of each stud head and welded in an inch of steel tube to keep the spring centered.

Replaced the top bushes at the same time as fitting the lower spherical bearings. Drilled the lower wishbones and made up some 1/2 inch bolts of the correct length. I must be losing the plot, replaced these on numerous small chassis Triumphs but struggled this time. I am sure I would usually fit the spring off the car with the spring seat set at the desired height, then fit the spring/shock as one unit to the turret and lower wishbone. The top bushes are a pre-formed shape so didn't use the metal top hats, top and bottom of each bush, as the bush fitted nicely into the cups welded to the top pan with the three studs. Just used a washer under the top shock nuts. Once under the tension of the spring, the top bush flattened out so it wouldn't go through the hole in the turret. The only way I could fit them was with the bottom shock seat wound to the bottom of the shock so the spring was loose, fit it to the turret, held loosely by the three lock nuts then wind the spring seat up to the desired height.

This was an effort, as the spring compressed, it became harder and harder to wind the seat up with a home made tool, a quarter turn at a time. Anyway done now and all seems good.

Ancient thread revival

https://sideways-technologies.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/1214-avo-damper-bush-failures-polybush-general-failure/&do=findComment&comment=15314

Edited September 15 by Mark