Wishbones - Spot the Difference!

[Laurence7]

I've aquired some very tidy second-hand lower front wishbones for my Clubsport (same as Prosport, and I think SR4), but here's a thing:

My original, early wishbones (black powder coated in pictures) have the spherical bearing pressed in from underneath. This means that the vertical wheel load tends to pull the spherical bearing against the register at the top of the housing. I'm happy with that

The newly-purchased, later wishbones (zinc plated in pictures) have the spherical bearing pressed in from above. This means that the vertical wheel load tends to pull the spherical bearing against the circlip that retains the bearing in the housing. That, I'm not so happy with

Note that in the pictures, both wishbones are shown up-side-down.

Have these later wishbones been incorrectly made, or are they all like this?

[splitpin]

From what I can make out, the ones you've just acquired look to be as per the current offering (SW0009 - Wishbone Lower) , so not made wrong/presumably Radical discovered they were more/better secure inserted that way? Here's the pic from Rad's online shop >



That said, the lack of welded in washer reinforcement around the holes (compared to your black ones and those on Rad's online shop) seems a bit strange?

Edited by splitpin on Sunday 28th November 21:39

[Martin B]

The brand new lower wishbones I bought from Radical for my Clubsport have the circlips underneath so are like your original ones.

Edited by Martin B on Sunday 28th November 21:47

[radicaltechnical]

Hi Laurence, it looks like you have purchased some SR3 lower wishbones instead of prosport ones. I would recommend not fitting these to your car as the bearing will pull out under load.

[splitpin]

Well, notwithstanding that that's a bugger, that's cleared that up ........... here's a pic of the SR3's FLW from Rad's Online Shop (note non-reinforced holes) >

Edited by splitpin on Monday 29th November 10:59

[BertBert]

that's intriguing, why are they different for the Sr3 then?
Bert

[Laurence7]

Thanks Radicaltechnical, I appreciate the feedback

radicaltechnical said:

...it looks like you have purchased some SR3 lower wishbones instead of prosport ones. I would recommend not fitting these to your car as the bearing will pull out under load.

I was curious to know how the SR3 wishbone would work without the bearing tending to pull out. Googling "SR3 Suspension" revealed the answer.

On the Clubsport/Prosport wishbone, the pushrod and damper mounting lugs project downwards, whereas those on the SR3 wishbone project upwards:-



It all makes perfect sense.

Two important lessons
1. Caveat Emptor
2. Don't put SR3 lower front wishbones on a Clubsport/Prosport or indeed, vice-versa

Anyone got some good Clubsport/Prosport lower front wishbones in exchange for some SR3 lower front wishbones? (I have three)