[Healeys] Shock mount--BJ8

[Tom Felts]

So---has anyone here installed an adjustable shock mount? Seems that may be the answer to getting proper camber even if you don't align it quite right. 
Tom 


From: "Bob Spidell" <bspidell at comcast.net> 
To: "healeys" <healeys at autox.team.net> 
Sent: Wednesday, September 6, 2023 10:39:00 AM 
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Shock mount--BJ8 

Great question, right up there with 'What is the meaning of life?' and one I've pondered myself. 

I know the shop manual has a frame dimensional diagram, but I don't know if it precisely locates the shock mounts (I'm to lazy to dig the book out right now, and your frame is probably tweaked a bit anyway). All I've come up with is make your best guess by, as you suggested, measuring the 'good' side best you can then tack weld the mount (you should get close and, who knows, you might get lucky). Then, install shock and A-arm and GENTLY lower the frame to the ground and check alignment. Repeat as necessary then weld it in. I bought the full rig from these guys, since I have 5 cars and 2 tractors so it's 'justified' (NFI): 

[ https://wheelalignmenttools.com/store/ | https://wheelalignmenttools.com/store/ ] 

... and have been happy with it (support is good, and they're based, IIRC, in Fremont, CA). I got a 'pro' alignment--with the fancy laser rig--for my Mustang and their rig pretty much agrees with it. Camber is the easy part, a direct measurement, but caster is a bit trickier. Make sure to account for the slope of the floor when taking readings. 

I used offset trunnion bushings on my BJ8 and adjustable camber plates on the BN2 to set camber at zero, and feel handling is better than 'book' setting (1deg pos). Caster is less than 'book' on both, which is less than used on most other cars, but both track just fine. I set toe at just a hair in; but haven't put enough miles on either to see if tire wear is improved (you'd need to start with new tires). 

Bob 


On 9/5/2023 12:09 PM, Tom Felts via Healeys wrote: 



Years ago I had the right shock mount replaced because of a bad metal tear in it. I'm not even sure who did the job for me. Over the years since I have had bad outside tire wa=ear on that side. I'm thinking that when it was welded on, it was not placed properly. 

So----If I remove it and have it replaced with a new one, how do I do about lining it up properly? 

I've thought about having the alignment equipment hooked up with the unattached shock attached and moving the tire in or out until I get the proper camber then clamping it to the tower and welding. That might be an impossible thing to do with the heavy shock hanging on. Is it possible to measure the good (original) side and place it according to that side? 

Ideas? 

Thanks--Tom 

Other than than that, how to I alignment it properly? 





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