Return to the BUILD
“In this phase, you will assemble and install the left front suspension and shock absorber onto the main chassis.”
Contents
Parts
- 18A – Bottom Left Control Arm with Spring Plate
- 18B – Top Left Control Arm
- 18C – Left Steering Knuckle, Spindle and Kingpin
- 18D – Shock Absorber
- 18E – Kingpin Bushings
- 18F – Control Arm Bushing Bottom Left
- 18G – Control Arm Bushing Top Left
- 18H – Coil Spring Front Suspension
- 4 x GM screws (+2 extra)
- 2 x KM screws (+1 extra)
- 3 x LM screws (+1 extra)
- 3 x MM screws (+1 extra)
Materials: Everything in this phase is made of metal.
Build
The Left Front Suspension
Step 01
Position a Kingpin Bushing between the narrow ends of the Bottom Left Control Arm with Spring Plate, align the holes, and secure with one (1) KM screw.
Be sure to insert the KM screw from the correct side, as shown in the photos. This is also your friendly reminder to try using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal:
Step 02
Slide the second Kingpin Bushing between the narrow ends of the Top Left Control Arm, align the holes, and secure with one (1) KM screw:
Be sure to insert the KM screw from the correct side, as shown in the photos:
Step 03
Fit the Control Arm Bushing Bottom Left between the wide ends of the Bottom Left Control Arm with Spring Plate as shown, and secure each side with one (1) GM screw:
When I tried to assembly this, I noticed one side of my Control Arm Bushing Bottom Left had a chunk of metal blocking one of the holes:
I had to use my Dremel on this to carefully grind it down until the hole underneath appeared:
Then, I was able to assemble this step:
Step 04
Fit the Control Arm Bushing Top Left between the wide ends of the Top Left Control Arm as shown, and secure each end with one (1) GM screw:
Step 05
Insert the Shock Absorber through the Control Arm Bushing Top Left until the square neck fits into the matching square hole:
Step 06
The ‘cup’ of the Control Arm Bushing Top Left fits over this post at the front left of the Main Chassis. Secure with one (1) MM screw.
It is OK if this rotates a little. You will align it to the lower control arm soon:
Step 07
Press the Coil Spring Front Suspension down onto the raised round section of the Bottom Left Control Arm with Spring Plate:
Step 08
Slide the open end of the Coil Spring up over the Shock Absorber shaft:
Underneath the chassis, fit the two ‘cups’ of the Control Arm Bushing Bottom Left over the matching posts of the Main Chassis and secure them both with two (2) MM screws:
Step 09
Gently press the upper and lower control arms together, compressing the Coil Spring, until the Shock Absorber shaft comes through the lower Control Arm. Secure the end of the Shock Absorber from below with one (1) LM screw.
You may need a helper or a clamp to complete this step. It does not take a lot of force, but can be tricky alone:
Once finished, this is what you should have so far:
Step 10
Position the posts on either end of the Left Steering Knuckle, Spindle and Kingpin into the Kingpin Bushings of the upper and lower control arms. Be sure the spindle is facing correctly, as shown.
This step will align the top and bottom control arms. Now would be the time to rotate the upper control arm assembly a little to line everything up and tighten the screw from Step 6 again:
Secure the top of the steering knuckle with one (1) LM screw:
Secure the bottom of the steering knuckle with one (1) LM screw:
Thoughts
Suspension work always seems to be the most complex part of these 1:8 scale car builds. But, to be honest, this one went together easier than all the rest. We get to do this again in the coming phases for the other side, so keep your energy up!
Next Up
Phase 19 – Suspension: Front Suspension/Steering Knuckle (Right)