Racing Washer

[ScottR400D]

I have my diff out for rebuild and I'm just sorting everything out ready to reinstall. I notice the two nylon 'Racing washers' either side of the central bush on the A Frame/de Dion are wearing through so think I'll get some more.

So I input on the CC online store 4 washers at £1.22 ea.; carriage £4.80. That's pricey I think, may as well get a few more to spread the carriage cost.

So I change to 8 washers; carriage is now £9.00! 12 it would be £12.00 and the same for further quantities.

But this is a tiny, light plastic shim, can't cost more than a first class stamp to ship 12 or so!

I'm going to mail them and see if they will alter, or I'll just buy as many as I can get for minimum postage but does anyone know anywhere else these can be had? 

[7 wonders of the world]

Spend the money on a powerflex kit 

[SM25T]

Try Chris at Redline ...sales@redlinecomponents.co.uk

[Drumster]

I found something similar on ebay for pennies....

[EEK]

I used some white Nylon penny washers found in B&Q, they needed a drill out to enlarge centre hole, they have been fine.

[ScottR400D]

Thanks guys. 

[gulf 1]

What do these washers do ? Are they fitted to all sevens ?

[MADMALC]

Hi G1, they knock about 2 seconds a lap of your times!!!!!

[gulf 1]

Is that 1 second a washer,can I fit more than 2 ?

[John Vine]

Re #1:

Have you tried calling Parts direct?  That way, you bypass the unintelligent software and resolve everything logically and amicably!

Or, as Ian says, simply call/email Redline.

JV

[ScottR400D]

No, didn’t ring them, I can’t remember ever having a call answered by CC so gave that up ages ago!!

In the end I’ve ordered 2 to avoid the stupid carriage costs and will make sure I’ve an option for next time. 

In answer to the the question of what they actually do, I would suggest they maybe just stop the various bits rubbing and squeaking. 

 

 

[EEK]

#11, I concur.

My first Seven was a re-furbed one from a prominent specialist. It banged a lot from the re suspension, I took it back, TADTS. I kind of felt they didn't, any way after investigation I found it had been built without the plastic washers. Stuck a couple in and "Chalk and Cheese" car was instantly a pleasure to drive.

[ScottR400D]

Another example if less than optimum design, maybe. 

Surely the A frame should bolt up solidly in the metalastic bush in the de Dion and it should allow movement?

Putting these washers in stops that happening properly but maybe it wouldn’t work properly in any event.

 

[John Vine]

Re #13:

That's always puzzled me.  My Assembly Guide says:

Nylon 'Race' washers are provided in some
applications and if supplied should be fitted over
the centre part of the bush between the De Dion
tube and the 'A' frame

The vague bit is "in some applications".  I've no idea what the other ones would be, other than "non-race".

JV

[ScottR400D]

It beats me. The de Dion has the type of bush that should be just clamped up on; the angular change must be less than a wishbone so it should be well within the range of the bush. 

In any case, looking closely at the washers, they only contact on the clamping face of the bush so they wear through. Both of mine are cut almost through in 8000 miles. 

 

[aerobod - near CYYC]

The Powerflex washers are a bit thicker and denser than the standard nylon ones and seem to work a bit better but at the expense of a bit more vibration through the suspension.

The washers are a simple limit mechanism to prevent too much movement of the deDion to the A-frame for high lateral loads and work well if they are in good condition, but the standard ones don't last long or provide as much lateral restraint as the Powerflex ones when used on the track, especially with high grip tyres. I found the increased lateral movement with the standard washers (probably as they were worn, too) was enough to tear the centre out of the metalastic bush on my car.

[7 wonders of the world]

Powerflex A frame kit is circa £25.....

Much better than the OE bushes, It's worth doing the whole car and rid it of parasitic stiction.

 

[Guy Lowe]

I use these £1.85 for 10  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M2-M2-5-M3-M4-M5-M6-M8-M10-M12-WHITE-NYLON-FLAT-FORM-A-WASHERS-PLASTIC-WASHER/231172710368  

[ScottR400D]

Which one? The M12? Is the thickness OK? The originals are a lot thinner.

[Guy Lowe]

M12 I did have to shave them down a bit but it wasn't difficult

[ScottR400D]

How did you shave them down? They seem to be 2.5mm thick where the CC ones are 1mm. 

[gulf 1]

I cant see how a thin plastic washer prevents any lateral movement between  A frame and de Dion or am I missing something, surely it would need to be metal.

[bjw]

M12 I did have to shave them down a bit but it wasn't difficult

An M12, form A, nylon washer has an outer diameter of only 24mm and a thickness of 2.5mm. How could that possibly work ?

Apart from gap where it has to fit being only 1.5mm,  24mm barely covers the rubber fill, let alone provide a bearing surface between two metal areas

In any case, looking closely at the washers, they only contact on the clamping face of the bush so they wear through.

?? The clamping face is the end of the inner tube. The washer is 'around' the inner tube.

Cheers

[ScottR400D]

I would agree with that Gulf. The things are 1mm thick, and if anything they’d increase lateral movement because they’re compressible and in any case wear through quickly, reducing the clamping force applied to the bolt. IMO. 

  

 

[bjw]

if anything they’d increase lateral movement because they’re compressible and in any case wear through quickly, reducing the clamping force applied to the bolt

There's clearly some misunderstanding here - the washers 'float' on the section of bush inner tube that extends 1.5mm past the outer tube - they're not clamped.

Cheers