VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Dubonett Suspension. How to put back on.

Hello all,

I just rebuilt my dubonett knee action suspension with bronze bushings and new gaskets. I have been trying to figure out how to get the backing plate back on. I have the head unit attached with the king pins and steering all connected. On the head I have the main cap on holding in the big main spring and I just removed the large center screw that applies pressure to the big spring in hopes in would relieve enough tension that I could get the arm to come back and up getting the spindle closer to the backing plate to mount the tire. (My apologies, thats a lot to wrap your head around)

It's just with that big spring in there how else are you supposed to get the back plate on? I guess I could undo the brake line on the backing plate and do it that way, but then I'd have to attach them all and bleed the brakes. There's gotta be a better way.

If you have any tips or tricks for this that would help me out A LOT.

there is a large (replaceable) brass bushing pressed into the backing plate. This bushing fits (slides) onto a machiend surface on the spindle shaft. The backing plate will then be able to rotate as necessary when the big are moves up and down.

But I would need to remove the brake line just to get it on the spindle.

Then if I ever change a tire or need to raise it, the spring would push the arm down and put tension on the line ever time

Loose 2 bolts that attach radius arm to shock. Backing plate then can be pulled forward away from the body of the shock.Brake line would have to be disconnected to take backing plate off. Brake line needs to be long enough in use to allow for arm to come down. My hose is 17" long.

Maaaan. I got it figured out!

My machinist friend put the arms on the wrong side. So now I just need to switch them.


Thank you all that chimed in