Front suspension

[Allan]

Has anyone fitted one of the replacement front suspension units which replace the front leaf spring with independant lower wishbones and coil over shocks. I see a number of different options available made of a variety of materials and using different joints such as Rose Joints etc. I would like to know if the cast alloy or steel ones are better than each other. I do note that most of the cast ones have the pivot point at the same point as the unit is mounted to the body where as the steel units seem (in the pictures at least) have it further out making the lower arm a little shorter. The big question is do they work and transform the car as some sellers claim. And are they substantial enough to put up with the rigors of every day abuse. Any advice or experience (good or bad) will be much appreciated.
Allan

[Allan]

Can anyone give me any info on this?

[damon500]

Hi Allan,
Thought it was about time to say hello to a fellow kiwi (even if I am now in voluntary exile on the west island)
I have seen a couple of variations of this system when I went to Garlenda for the Raduno 500 and was intrigued by it- seems to defeat the purpose of the anti roll properties of the transverse leaf spring in my opinion.
It is more a mod applied to 500's - perhaps you could ask on the modified 500 sites- eg: http://www.retro500.com/
I'm interested to hear your feedback- and off topic the registration of the car in your picture seems very familiar- has it spent some of its life in Christchurch?
Regards
Damon

[Allan]

My car apparently lived for many years in Queenstown and then Timaru which is where I got it from. I am interested in those front suspension set ups because there is a guy in NZ who has made them for 600/850 and could make one for 500/126. You could easily fit an anti-roll bar to solve any problems bought about but the removal of the tranverse leaf spring. Also on springs Snells in Auckland will reset a front spring to what ever you want for less than $100.
Allan