Fr. susp. parts search

[richardgray]

For a 1972 Bristol 411 I am looking for these front suspension parts:

Lower ball joints (2)
Upper ball joints (2) These appear to be Jaguar parts.
Side rod tie-rod ends (4) Are another car's parts compatible?
Track rod tie-rod ends (2) see above
Front coil springs (2)
Upper control arm rubber buffers (4)
Upper control arm bushings (for both sides)
All shock absorbers (currently fitted with Spax)

and for the rear brakes:
Emergency brake pads.

Sun Automotive
90 Gate 5 Rd.
Sausalito CA 94965
415-332-2778
email: sunauto@pacbell.net
Ask for: Bob

[richardgray]

I'm heading to UK from USA and looking at whether its better to source these parts in UK or here in US and if so where from!? Thanks for any help.

Originally Posted by richardgray

For a 1972 Bristol 411 I am looking for these front suspension parts:

Lower ball joints (2)
Upper ball joints (2) These appear to be Jaguar parts.
Side rod tie-rod ends (4) Are another car's parts compatible?
Track rod tie-rod ends (2) see above
Front coil springs (2)
Upper control arm rubber buffers (4)
Upper control arm bushings (for both sides)
All shock absorbers (currently fitted with Spax)

and for the rear brakes:
Emergency brake pads.

Sun Automotive
90 Gate 5 Rd.
Sausalito CA 94965
415-332-2778
email: sunauto@pacbell.net
Ask for: Bob

[Kevin H]

It is my understanding that all the ball joints are unique to Bristol.

Don't know about Side rod tie-rod ends or Track rod tie-rod ends

Front coil springs - can be made by a local spring maker - too heavy to transport around the world - I will send you the specs

Upper control arm rubber buffers - very similar to those used on a Mini, according to Mike O from South Australia (Mike?) - assuming you are referring to what I think you are referring to!

Upper control arm bushings (for both sides) - It is my understanding that these are unique to Bristol.

"All shock absorbers (currently fitted with Spax)" - assume these can be bought/ordered from anyone who sells Spax shocks - they are G712, but can be subsituted with Konis.

"Emergency rear brake pads". - if you mean the handbrake pads, the brakes are all Girling which were used on numerous contemporary cars.

Do you have the front spring distance pieces, rubber spring seats and insulators? - they can only be bought from Bristol.

Regards,
Kevin

[richardgray]

I'll contact Bristol re the parts specific to them. MAny thanks...and for help with spring dimensions.

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by richardgray

I'll contact Bristol re the parts specific to them. MAny thanks...and for help with spring dimensions.

No worries. Have sent you the spring details.

Re the other spring support bits I mentioned you can see them here V8 front suspension

And Bristol Cars Service new contact details are here Bristol Service centre new address from 23 Feb 2010

[richardgray]

Thanks Kevin:
I'm in contact with Bristol and will pick up parts in London next week.
I can post prices if thats useful? The spring coils run approx 270 UK pounds (is this reasonable?) ex VAT and should be OK to bring back via air.

I am Richard and the owner of the car. Bob is the excellent mechanic who looks after it. He is an expert on British cars.

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by richardgray

Thanks Kevin:
I'm in contact with Bristol and will pick up parts in London next week.
I can post prices if thats useful?

Yes please. There's a thread for parts prices here V8 Cars - Parts Availability and Prices

The spring coils run approx 270 UK pounds (is this reasonable?) ex VAT

Well I guess it depends what you are comparing with. Compared with new springs for a Mercedes from an authorised dealer it's probably very reasonable. Compared with the cost of having them made by a spring maker it's expensive.

I had a pair made in 2004 for AU$300 incl tax (about UKP150 now). But of course you have to find a spring maker and there's time involved in placing the order, picking them up etc. At least if you bought them from Bristol you will know they are right.

BTW, I forgot to mention that my car had Koni shock absorbers when I bought it, which I have had rebuilt. They are adjustable but need to be removed from the car to adjust, whereas I *think* the Spax are adjustable on the car (but I'm not absolutely sure). I wish mine were adjustable on the car!