THE COMPLETE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY FROM A CITATION-ZINK Z16 DURING A FRAME-UP REBUILD. ALL COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN DISASSEMBLED, CLEANED, CRACK CHECKED AND PAINTED OR PLATED AS APPROPRIATE. NEW SPHERICAL BEARINGS AND ROD ENDS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AND ALL HARDWARE IS BEING REPLACED WITH AN BOLTS (with the proper grip length), WASHERS AND NYLOCKS. IN THIS CASE, THE FABRICATED HUB HAS BEEN FITTED WITH NEW BEARINGS AND THE THROUGH BOLT IS BEING REPLACED BY A LARGER DIAMETER BOLT. SHOCK AND SPRING HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND SEALS IN THE CALIPER REPLACED.
SUSPENSION
The rear suspension of a Reynard 84F showed a new level of sophistication that Formula Fords were adopting in the mid-1980's. In this case, as designed by Adrian Reynard, the upper rocker arms took on a wing-like configuration, coil-over shocks are positioned tight to the sides of the transmission case and a cockpit adjustable sway bar mechanism has been incorporated.
Fuel cells - or more properly "fuel bladders" - on the Lola 342 were contained within the side pod and outside of the chassis itself. As such, they were exposed to potential damage as they were only protected by a light gage aluminum skin. This photo shows a "FuelSafe" wedge shaped fuel cell fitted behind the seat and covered by an aluminum enclosure as required by SCCA regs. In the case of the 342 chassis, this modification necessitates shifting the oil sump tank to another location such as alongside the front left of the engine. As a result, the fuel load is centralized and as fuel is burned, the left/right weight balance of the car is maintained. Bladder tanks as provided originally on Lolas of 1975 vintage were based on aircraft bladders and were made of fairly puncture resistant materials. Fuel cells, are made of material which, while similar, has far more puncture resistance.
Shock absorbers or, more properly as the Brits like to call them, "dampers", are an extremely critical component. From the earliest days of the class up through the 90's, cars were typically fitted with SPAX, simple Konis or Bilsteins and although they were often re-valved in order to improve handling characteristics, not a lot of attention was paid to them. You could a whole set of them for a few hundred dollars. As it is now, many front running Formula Fords are fitted with extremely sophisticated shock absorbers with multiple adjustments and fitted with external gas canisters and cost have risen just a bit....up to in the range of $5,000 a set! So much for a low cost class.
