Gain, good to know I didn’t get your name wrong just used the wrong one.

Now for the day's events, that did not start very well.

Knowing I was going to change the lower bushing and getting the right dimensions was only a minor glitch. The firmness of the Energy Suspension ones verses the Speedway mount showed up in the effort required to close up the plates on the bell. I used the 10-32 screws and could see the plate bending. OK, what now coach?

It was obviously not going to work, so had to sand down the bushings to 9/16 each, this created another problem, the cut out for the crown of the inner washer. The bushings were a little short of setting flat on the washer. It must be flat without pushing it down for solid contact between the plates. I had to drill a small amount out of the hole with the 1 1/4 inch drill. Turned out to be a crush factor of only a 1/4 inch or so, still gave the 1/8 steel rivets and washers a fit. Should close up just fine when the three top bolts are torqued down.

I found a material that looks to be a good candidate for the spring pad and getting it cut was not easy with scissors it's not my forte, well, ugly would be the word most would use. If you look at the pictures of the 3 spring seats you can see how much wear is in there. Hope this will slow it down, but really trying to figure how much banging that requires?

At the bottom of the bell, Jim pointed out there were some sharp edges, so a pointed grinding wheel on the Dremmel took care of that. Lots of welding splatter on one of them.

OH, found out a way to center the bushings before drilling the holes, just requires to do it on each one. A 3/8-inch extension fit in the drill with the big end toward the hole, a perfect fit and it will look so much better on the future bunch, if this works out.

I will try to finish up tomorrow and send these out.

Pictures to follow, I had no idea this was going to take this much time.

 

I truly appreciate the effort you are putting into this and am looking forward to what seems to be a promising solution for the shock mount.

When I get your mounts installed on my car, I will take that opportunity to grease my polyurethane bushes and install grease nipples. I figure, if I will be tearing into the suspension, I may as well take the time to make sure everything is in perfect condition. Today I noticed a torn boot on one of my tie rod ends (no play on it yet), so I will be replacing those. I ordered a new pair this afternoon. I also have a pair of new upper ball joints that I never got around to changing due to the apparent good condition of the old ones. I will be changing those as well.

 

How does one get in line for a pair of your superior shock mounts ? With no other quality mount currently available there would appear to be a healthy demand for these parts, at least until all the road going XK’s have been retrofitted.


Z


PS

( I would have no mounts to donate as cores. )

 

Wayne,
I'm sure you'll get it right.

Is there any concern that the spring mount does not have a vertical section to isolate the spring (from rubbing?
wj

 

WJ, I did look at all kinds of spring pads and it appears just a flat rubber gasket was a norm for many high dollar cars.
Not that I didn't try and find one, I even thought about using one of the Energy Suspension ones I'm using now, but the fit was not even close for the outside of the retainer.
That spring moving around may even be the root cause of our problem. If so, I'm really hoping the firm rubber I'm using in the bell will stop the shock stem from being in control of the movement we are experiencing.
As Gain is talking about rebuilding his whole front end, if we have a issue we know that it's the mount area and not lower bushings or ball joints giving lateral movement.
So sorry this thread has gone on for so long, but myself and all have surely learned a great deal about this area and no matter which system is used to replace the mounts, all will have a good idea what to look for in the material supplied.
Again, I will continue to look for a good spring pad or maybe buy the one that wraps around it like a split hose. Problem there is not much room between the vertical part of the seat and the horizonal part. The wear is much more than one would want, but metal to metal is never good.
Thanks for your concern and that is what is going to solve the problem, all of us working together.

 

THANK YOU! Wayne for your R&D on a known and recurring problem area on our cars. The time, effort and expense of the various parts and costs are surely mounting. Perhaps its time for some of us who will benefit from your efforts to offer to share in some funding for your efforts to resolve this known issue with our front shock mounts and related parts. Anyone who has shared in your journey and efforts will surely realize the materials are expensive plus costs of S&H. Perhaps a small voluntary donation by Forum Members to Wayne for reimbursement would help defray cost of this project that benefits ALL of us. A long lasting solution would benefit XK8 & XKR (X-100) owners and probably some other models also. How about sharing some R&D costs with a dedicated owner/fabricator? You can donate by PayPal or discrete mail in plain envelope. My donation is in the mail.

 

Great idea, Kelly. I mailed my donation to Wayne last Saturday....

 

OK Guys and gals, I must admit, not totally against the idea, but do feel a bit funny taking money when I have not really solved the issue for sure. The middle of the bell, yes, spring insulator, maybe. Spring pad, looked at a 1/16 inch neoprene sheeting today with 1000 PSI and 300 degree heat melting point. I gave up on finding a pad already made. The one I ordered yesterday is out of stock, enough.
I sent Gial his set Monday with the rubber pad I found, we are both hoping it's a good choice. Just in small quantities a lot of waste and I'm thinking the 1/16 inch may be able to fold over the metal seat. The 1/8 he received will give a good indication and if all is well, will get the sheets of that.
Again, thank you for thinking about me, will do my best.

 

You deserve these contributions, Wayne. You have put much time, effort, and money into this project and are continuing to do so. Those who have followed it from the start already know that your eventual solution will surpass everything else currently on the market....

 

I agree with Jon and would also like to give you a donation or payment, especially since I will be the first to receive the fruits of your labor and will be beta testing.

 

Looking at Old Matelots post and efforts, I feel really bad about not having parts for him to install.
He does show that we have no chance with some of the parts we have available.
Thanks for all the uplifting comments, sure makes me feel wonderful and will keep on keeping on.
I hope you will understand if I don't put my PayPal address out on the internet, Kelly and Jon have my address. Still feels kind of funny, but thanks.

 

Anyone wishing to send a shock mount project donation to Wayne, PM me and I will provide his mailing address to you via a reply to your PM....

 

Did some work on the spring pads, if I can't get something thin enough to go between the collar vertical and spring, small area.
Holding the material on the drill press table was a lot of fun. I managed to not get slapped in the face.
Look a bit better.

 

A bit of an update for everyone expecting to hear from me. The package, which Wayne and I were expecting to arrive today, is currently at my local USPS Regional facility. I expect it to be delivered either by tomorrow or on Monday. If it arrives on Monday, I won't be able to install Wayne's shock mounts until Saturday, May 1st at the earliest. I will keep everyone posted.

 

Bummer Gian, but you get that degree and that will help a lot more people in the long run.
Good luck.

 

Jim, (wymjym) in reading over some of the comments and suggestions, I did see your question may have been about the larger donut area in one thread and thought you were talking about the pad area.
Sorry about the confusion but the two pads combined fills the space between the collar and the bell very well, I know it doesn't look like it but with little pressure it forms around the pad edge. With the weight of the car, my thoughts are it will be solid but have the flex to keep it in place. Those two insulators fit like gloves after the routing and hard to even see the split.
My one concern there is the height is only 1/2 inch, so that is why I went with the 1/8 inch pad for now. Otherwise we may be a bit short in the fender to center wheel measurements. I told Gian too except that this might be something we need to check.
As stated earlier, I do have a very good example of a original tight fitting donut, if and when I send any proto types to Energy Suspension.
Jon, a little edit on the name, sorry about that. He added some comments about different materials on another thread also.

 

Wayne,

Who is Jim (referenced in your post above)?

 

Now I see who Jim is . . . . thanks.

 

Installed the Poly Welsh Mounts in Oct. 2015 at 122K miles. Now mileage at 153,500, 5+ yrs. . The attached pic is the R.F. Mount with stud off center. Pic was from W.S. area looking down. (I know weep hole should be down) The stud is positioned to about a 2 o'clock angle. The L.F. is also off center but to the 10 O'clock position. The center Poly material is still solid and shows no deterioration. This is probably a set of their first available poly mount requiring the install into your clam shells. The 2 assisters and mounts were kinda costly. Poly mounts $200 and assisters (bump stops) $32. No idea where they sourced the poly pads. I've since replaced the front springs with the Suplex A/M set and ride height is good. Had a slight wear pattern on the inside of both tires that indicated my OEM springs had SAGGED. Thanks to ALL have contributed info to help Wayne with this known problem area.

 

Thanks for a bit of good news on the old style Welsh mounts. Getting 30K and still usable is not bad compared to others.
Shame about the offset.
Just out of curiosity, would you grab the spring on either side and give a tug or two? Trying to see if the spring is moving around on that seat. If so, might be the root cause but not all the cause of the top going off center. If you can move it with the weight of the car on it, what's happening when we go over a bump?
Thanks again for all your help.