Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/01/2013(UTC)
Posts: 307
Thanks: 7 times
Was thanked: 11 time(s) in 11 post(s)
|
Hi All .. the earliest HD's had the EH kingpin front end and a similar track rear ...
...the wheelbase had been shifted back a little i believe, but that caused a heap of problems with the longer springs causing undue spring flex making the rear end steer the car more than the front...coupled with the narrow track EH underpinnings these earliest cars were a monster in certain situations....
...have any of the older crew here ever discussed this diabolical problem that Holden's found themselves with from way back in the day ??
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Veteran
Groups: Moderator, Registered
Joined: 1/03/2005(UTC)
Posts: 6,058
Thanks: 1 times
Was thanked: 203 time(s) in 184 post(s)
|
Yes, the first 6 months of HD had the EJ/EH style kingpin front end, but wheel rims with even more back space, resulting in even narrower front track than EJ/EH.
The rear axle was slightly longer than EJ/EH, but with the rim offset, resulted in the same rear track.
So, with the front narrower than the rear it was a bit ordinary. Things improved with the intro of the ball-joint front end in July 65. The track was now the same as EJ/EH all round.
The HR saw improvements in springs & shocks, & on sedans & wagons they increased they track again with new rims with less backspacing which increased track by 10 mm all round. These rims are identified by the small 3 mm hole in the centre pressing, which many people mistakenly believe refers to them being disc brake rims.
I've not heard of any rear spring issues with HD, but one major drawback with both HD & HR series was that the engine/gearbox was moved over 3-inches forward over the front axle, compared to EJ/EH. This made the front/rear balance far worse than the EJ/EH. This was remedied when they lengthened the nose on HK.
Dr Terry |
If at first you don't succeed, just call it Version 1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Veteran
Groups: Moderator, Registered, Veteran
Joined: 1/03/2005(UTC)
Posts: 14,717
Thanks: 1 times
Was thanked: 512 time(s) in 488 post(s)
|
It is surprising when you strip a HD or HR down to its undies how much like a HK they are. Lots of parts almost look like they'd bolt on, if you removed the radiator support it looks like the front subframes would just about bolt up.
From memory the rear springs appear identical too |
_______________________________________________________
If we all had the same (good) taste, who would buy all the Fords? |
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/01/2013(UTC)
Posts: 307
Thanks: 7 times
Was thanked: 11 time(s) in 11 post(s)
|
...the rear end issues apparently had something to do with the flattening of the spring as the car cornered which would (theoretically) lengthen the wheelbase on the flattened side, while shortening the w/b on the opposite (raised) side... ...this may be a case with all cars but also may have been exacerbated when combined with that awful skinny track the early HD had ?? ...Dr Terry .. you mentioned the springs and shockers were changed on the HR...this mod may throw a little light on the subject. Do you know exactly what they did ? Edited by user Wednesday, 11 February 2015 12:24:20 AM(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Veteran
Groups: Moderator, Registered
Joined: 1/03/2005(UTC)
Posts: 6,058
Thanks: 1 times
Was thanked: 203 time(s) in 184 post(s)
|
HRs sit slightly lower & the shocks were stiffened. Maybe the lower leaf springs sat flatter & the wheelbase change issue that you mentioned didn't show up as badly.
This combined with better tyres & wider track is why HRs felt so much improved over the HD.
Dr Terry |
If at first you don't succeed, just call it Version 1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/02/2009(UTC) Posts: 564  ![Australia]( "Australia") Location: On a build over WWII airfield. Got the .50 cal cases from my driveway to prove it Thanks: 31 times
Was thanked: 8 time(s) in 8 post(s)
|
For some more detail on the HD, there's an article on the Shannons
Club site. You have to join but its free & there's some great reads there.
Once you get past the writers use of "Holden cynically did/used/etc'
in some of his articles.
Mark Ostlers writes there as well, recently covering the Monaro's first Bathurst win in '68.
|
Attn camry drivers. The accelerator is the skinny pedal on the right. |
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.
