THE ROVER SD1 FORUM

Lehto · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:31 pm Post subject: Watts linkages?

How do I tell the difference between a normal SD1 and Vitesse watts linkages? My car has those weaker type of links and I want to change to the "stronger type" and we have lots of Vitesse parts in the warehouse. Any fast way to identify vitesse ones from the others?

Are the bars thicker? If thats the case then maybe I can just go and hack off the current bars and replace them with some square tubing? Very Happy

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Owner of 3 Rovers and 1 MG.

rover v8 · SD1 User Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 103 Location: Finland

Only diffrence is that the Vitesse busches are slightly bigger (outside) diameter. If remember right about 5mm?? The bars/tubing are same diameter..
But if you have got vanden plas, i thkin you have got just same link as vitesse has.. My vandenplas has got this "new model/vitesse" watts linkage when i buy this car (replace those busches to poly items)..

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Timo..

Lehto · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 2:54 pm Post subject:

That could be it. My cars watts linkage bushes were metal sleeved from outside too. No idea on how the watts linkage works but would it do the system any good if i changed the rods to thicker ones... the stock ones seem quite flimsy to me.

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Owner of 3 Rovers and 1 MG.

ramon alban · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 3:39 pm Post subject:

Lehto wrote:

No idea on how the watts linkage works but would it do the system any good if i changed the rods to thicker ones... the stock ones seem quite flimsy to me.

The Watts linkage permits free travel up and down but prevents any sideways movement of the axle.

The rods are either in compression or tension and there are hardly any bending and no twisting forces involved.

The bushes deal with all the rotational force at the ends of the rod.

As I recall the only change in spec for the vitesse was larger bushes.

The rods always looked the same to me as other models but the only ones I have had on my cars (Vitesses and Efi Vdp's) have what seems to be a strengthening sleeve along the rod.

I dont know what this is for unless it adds resistance to bending under compression.

If you have rods that do not have these sleeve attachments then for the more powerful cars they may be needed in which case there would be different part numbers for different models.

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Ramon

Lehto · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:39 pm Post subject:

My car does have these sleeves but the rods were badly rusted around the sleeves and from under them so I hope the strenght isnt compromised.

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Owner of 3 Rovers and 1 MG.