Re bushing wishbones,Defcon inserts,caster increase bushes. Fitted at LVSR!

[ReDBull]

This isn't a referbishing guild as such as Tim has already done a very good one here http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=276104

I thought I'd post up the different bushes I've used here for thoses that haven't read my RR (I don't blame you if you haven't!).

Currently the rear wishbone bushes that are on my wishbones fitted to my car have collapsed and the wish bones are resting on the sub frame. Which isn't good. I've never been happy with the floating feeling of the front end, the play and lack of feeling in the steering. I guess/hope this is the reason for it.

So first up I was lucky enough to find a pair of wishbones on eBay that have had the bushes removed.
Next up after reading around I came across the Defon inserts for the small bush on the front of the wishbone.

The idea of these is to replicate the recalled wishbones of the early TT's. Originaly the TT's had a smaller 30mm front wishbone bush fitted. They where supposed to be great little sports cars but in the wrong hands a few went off rounder about back wards. The hairdressers and press where in up roar so the cars where recalled. The rear spoiler fitted, spring and ARB's softened and larger softer front bushes fitted to the wishbones. The TT was reborn and a good car lost.
The Defon inserts replicate that early TT wishbone and allow the fitment of a 30mm bush. You can still buy the bushes to fit from Audi but I went for powerflex replacements.
You can buy them from the TT shop.
http://www.thettshop.com/search.asp?product=600527&i=show&site=main

For the rear bushes I went for superpro caster increase bushes.

They increase castor and are supposed to sharpen turn in.

On to fitting.

First of all the superpro caster increase bushes. After cleaning the wish bones of burrs from removal of the old bushes. It's time to have a think and figure out how to fit them.

The idea is to get the offset as close to 90deg in board of the centre line as possible. Superpro instructions are rubbish but the advise I was given was to mark out the centre of the offset in the bush. Then using a peice of string running from the front to rear bush of the wishbone. Then mark off 90deg from there.

Oiled the metal caseing around the bush and using my Dads home made press, pressed them in praying they didn't move!

On to the Defon inserts

The inserts had been left in the freezer for a few hours to aid fitting.

It said to warm up the wish bones in the sun (I guess they where thinking L.A not Linklonshire), or by other means to no more than 200deg F. Again a little oil on the inserts and press them in.

The powerflex poly bush will then be placed into the insert.

I'm not sure how much noticable difference the caster increase bushes will have especially on the road. I'm told however that the Defon inserts make a big difference. As I'm having a few bits fitted together though I guess for sure I'll never know.

 

[IH786]

Great post - wish I hadthought of the string idea before fitting my caster bushes - did them by eye (and I am half blind) so I am not sure if they are fitted right!

Interested to see how you find the def-cons - I did consider them but they are pricy.

 

[ReDBull]

Great post - wish I hadthought of the string idea before fitting my caster bushes - did them by eye (and I am half blind) so I am not sure if they are fitted right!

Interested to see how you find the def-cons - I did consider them but they are pricy.

Thanks for pointing me in the wright direction with the string. Did you feel they made any difference?

The Defcon inserts are a bit of an indulgence but the chaps at the TT shop swear by them. I'd love some more feed back through the steering.

 

[ReDBull]

I have to say a huge thank you to Andy and Pat from LVS Racing!!! They both went above and beyond what I expected in therms of customer service and quality of work. To find some where with such a high standard of work but also that will give honest advise and not rip you off is a godsend! Thankfully they're local to me as well which is a bonus.

First up Andy fitted a Blueflame 3"DP he had left over from a previous project. As they had used the sports cat he fabricated a de cat section for me. Originally he planned to remove the flanges and weld V bands in there place. However in case I want to swap the cat back at some point he left the flanges on but added V bands either side of the to make changing to a sports cat nice and easy.

On to the suspension and what a difference it's made. I had the Nuespeed 25mm front ARB, wishbones, steering rack poly bush and new ball joints fitted. Andy then did a fast road alignment set up. He found that with the caster increase bushes fitted he had to remove the tow in that he usually adds as the car was fidgety and followed the camber in the road to much. So at least that means they're doing what they supposed to! He also added 1.1 deg of negative camber to the front.
I haven't driven the car far yet but I went home on the back roads which I know well. The exhaust is louder but doesn't drone and isn't to bad on part throttle. It's made a hell of a difference though. Spool up is much quicker as you'd guess but my car feels a fair bit faster. You can feel it breathing easier.
After his initial test drive Andy asked what map I had on it and was surprised when I told him it was standard. It looks like all my hours of reading and asking stupid question on forums is paying off. I really want a large port head know to get the most of the increased flow!
The bushes in the wishbones that came off where in very poor condition. So there's no surprise that the new wishbones have made quite a difference. With havering so much fitted at once it's difficult to say for sure which parts are doing what. In a straight line and with small steering inputs the steering is nice and weighted. When you turn in its very sharp and caught me out how fast it responds. I'm going to need a big of time in the car to get used to the changes as it feels so different. I was concerned that the front ARB would induce so under steer but not a chance!
I'm going to have to find some time this weekend for a long test drive.

On a side not I also had a little drive of the LVSR demo car. It's a Audi 2.0t Quattro with a K04 running REVO stage two. Which was good fun but the VW Racing brakes and SMF paddle clutch took a bit of getting used to. Amongst other projects in the work shop was an old curtesy that's being turned into a track car.

It was a 1.4 know has a forged engine with GT28RS(I think!?), tubular manifold, externally gated, big brake and full cage. Andy plans to add aero as well so I may well have to watch his progress and pick his brains!

Roll on the track day!!!