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rear suspension.

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ronsmallford
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2011/09/18 12:34:05 (permalink)
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rear suspension.

It has come to my notice that the rear suspension on the capri could do with some improving. At the moment I have the standard multi leaf setup with the standard radius rods with the only mod being poly bushes thruout. This seems fine on a smooth road but on the back roads where I want to drive it is harsh, kicks and is generaly unpleasant. It could be that the poly bushs have tightened things up too much, reducing compliance. There is no tramp, but at the expense of the ride methinks.
What I was thinking of is changing to the later single leaf setup with no radius rods. Only instead of the swaybar use a triangulation kit to restrict sideways movement.
Has anyone tried to improve the standard setup? What were the results? Pros and cons? Would a quality shocker make all the difference?

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    cosworthfreak
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    Re:rear suspension. 2011/09/18 14:12:39 (permalink)
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    ronsmallford
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    Re:rear suspension. 2011/09/20 15:47:00 (permalink)
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    Thanks for that Jamie. By far the majorityof cappas in the uk would be using the later single leaf setup so the article is probably written with that in mind. So it would seem that all I need to do now is install a decent pair of shockers.
    One other thing I forgot to mention is the 15 inch wheels and 50 series tyres. The ride firmed up noticably when I put these on. On the plus side they hang on in corners realy well.
    One of the main problems is since the jan. floods most of the roads up in the hills are in a shocking state.

    "Horsepower loves the absense of weight" (from Elfin ad)
    "The car that reshapes your life".(Ford ad)
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    cosworthfreak
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    Re:rear suspension. 2011/09/20 20:19:28 (permalink)
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    No worries. That site seemed to provide a good common sense approach to Capri suspension setup, although I tend to favour rubber bushes for road cars. Trouble is, the rubber in modern rubber replacements isn't as good as original factory bushes, and you can't buy them all new anyway (at least in Australia). In saying that, I've got poly bushes going into my 1600 rebuild (Mackay brand) to see what they're like.
     
    I'm not sure what the single leaf springs are like in a Capri, but I'd be interested to know the ride difference.  Finding one supplier who can sell me a matching set of shocks for a Capri is also challenging. I'm thinking of Gaz adjustables, but Burtons don't list front and rear for the Mk1. Are they the same as Mk2s?
     
    Cheers
    Jamie
    #4
    Smcka
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    Re:rear suspension. 2011/09/21 06:43:00 (permalink)
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    I can get GAZ front and rear for Mark 1 Capri. About a 4 week lead time and will involve air freight costs, unless you can wait 6 months for next shipment.


     
    #5
    hotboostgt
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    Re:rear suspension. 2011/09/21 08:03:52 (permalink)
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    Ron try Fulcrums at Kedron no one could get near their pricing on Konis

    The only thing that beats HORSEPOWER is TORQUE.
    You can sleep in your car but u cant race your house.
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