Return to the BUILD

“In this stage, you assemble the left front suspension and attach it to the front chassis frame, as well as fitting the brake drum.”

Contents

Parts

Materials: Everything in this issue is metal, except for the Brake Drum and Backing Plate, which are plastic.

Build

Left Front Suspension & Brake Drum

Step 01

Insert the Lower Steering Knuckle Connector into this narrow gap of the Lower Suspension Arm, aligning the holes. The ‘L’ marked on both parts should be on the same side, as shown:

Secure the Lower Steering Knuckle Connector into place from either side with two (2) EM screws, one on each side.

These parts should be able to rotate. This will allow for the suspension components to move as expected. This is also your friendly reminder to try using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal:

Push the post of the Rubber Bumper into this hole of the Lower Suspension Arm, as shown:

Secure the Rubber Bumper into place from below with one (1) GP screw:

Step 02

Insert the Upper Steering Knuckle Connector into this narrow gap of the Upper Suspension Arm, aligning the holes:

Secure the Upper Steering Knuckle Connector into place from either side with two (2) EM screws, one on each side:

Next, insert the Shaft into the wide gap of the Upper Suspension Arm as shown, aligning the holes:

Secure the Shaft into place from either side with two (2) EM screws, one on each side:

Step 03

Retrieve your Chassis assembly from the previous stage. Fit the two posts of the Shaft into these two holes at the left front of the Chassis assembly, as shown:

Secure the Shaft into place from below with two (2) HM screws:

Fit the thinner rod sections of the Lower Suspension Arm into these grooves of the Chassis assembly, as shown:

Place the two Mounting Brackets over the Lower Suspension Arm, align the holes, and secure both Mounting Brackets to the Chassis assembly with four (4) IM screws, two on each:

The shorter ‘leg’ of these brackets goes towards the center of the frame:

Step 04

Push the center of the Steering Knuckle through the Backing Plate:

There is a small notch in the ring at the center of the Backing Plate that matches a keyed tab of the Steering Knuckle. Align these together so they sit flush against each other:

Secure these parts together from the Backing Plate side with two (2) EM screws:

Fit the Brake Drum over the Backing Plate, aligning the three posts/holes, and secure these together with three (3) HP screws:

This can fit in three different ways, but the ‘cylinder’ detail on the Brake Drum should be near the pin of the Backing Plate, so align it as shown:

Place the hole on the curved section of the Steering Knuckle over this hole of the Lower Steering Knuckle Connector, and secure with one (1) JM screw.

Tighten this screw enough to hold the part in place, but not enough that the Steering Knuckle cannot move a little:

And, this connection from another angle:

Step 05

Lift up the Lower Suspension Arm and fit the Coil Spring into this circular recess of the Chassis assembly:

Rotate the Lower Suspension Arm back over the Coil Spring:

Turn this assembly over and secure the Upper Steering Knuckle Connector to the Steering Knuckle with one (1) IM screw. This process will hold the Coil Spring in place:

You will need to compress the Coil Spring a little here to get these parts together, as shown:

With the Coil Spring captured and the suspension now under compression, it should look like this:

Turn the assembly over again and slide the Shock Absorber down into this hole of the Chassis assembly.

This Shock Absorber has a keyed tab to align it to the hole in the chassis. Make sure it goes all the way in (through the Coil Spring):

From the other side, secure the Shock Absorber to the Shaft of the Upper Suspension Arm with one (1) HM screw, as shown:

Step 06

Align the Left Tie Rod to this end of the Steering Rack as shown, and secure with one (1) HM screw:

Fit the circular post at the end of the Left Tie Rod through this hole of the Steering Knuckle, as shown:

Secure the Left Tie Rod to the Steering Knuckle from the other side with one (1) KM screw.

This screw should be tightened, but not to the point where these parts cannot pivot:

Thoughts

Suspension assembly on any model can be tricky, but this design is from the 1950s so it is a lot simpler than most.

Next Up

Stage 15 – Front Right Suspension/Brake Drum/Tie Rod