Return to the BUILD
“In this issue, you will attach the suspension upper control arm brackets to the front axle crossmember and attach the left side control arm to the cross member. In addition, you will fix the tensioner arm bracket on the right front frame member.“
Contents
Parts
Materials: Everything in this stage is metal.
Tools
- Phillips-head Screwdriver (appears to be size PH0)
Magazine
- The Series – Glen A. Larson
- Build Your KI.T.T. – Step by Step
- Secret Files – Production and Locations
Build
Front Suspension Assembly (1)
Before we begin, I wanted to sort out which Control Arm Bracket is which:
Step 1
Fit the Control Arm Bracket 1 (smaller and marked ‘L’) to this location on the Front Axle Crossmember, as shown:
Secure this Bracket into place with one (1) EM screw.
This is your friendly reminder to try using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal:
Step 2
In the same way, fit the Control Arm Bracket 2 (smaller and marked ‘R’) to this opposite location on the Front Axle Crossmember and secure this Bracket into place with one (1) more EM screw:
With both of these first Control Arm Brackets in place, our Crossmember should look like this:
Step 3
Fit the post and hole of the Control Arm Bracket 3 (marked ‘L’) to this location on the Front Axle Crossmember:
Secure this Bracket into place from below with one (1) HM screw:
Step 4
Likewise, fit the post and hole of the Control Arm Bracket 4 (marked ‘R’) to this opposite location on the Front Axle Crossmember:
Secure this Bracket into place from below with one (1) HM screw:
Step 5
Fit the two legs of the Right Upper Suspension Control Arm between the tabs of the right-side Control Arm Brackets 2 and 4.
Make sure this Control Arm is installed the correct way around. Note the location of this ‘bump’:
Secure the Control Arm to the Brackets with two (2) IM screws. One screw on each side from opposite directions, as shown.
Take your time with these screws. The holes have to be aligned and it can take some force to drive the screws all the way in:
Once this Control Arm is installed, make sure it can rotate about the screws like a pivot:
Step 6
Retrieve your Front Right Chassis from the previous stage. Fit the two posts of the Tension Arm Bracket to this location on the Chassis part:
Secure the Tension Arm Bracket to the Chassis part from the other side with two (2) DM screws:
Thoughts
I am happy to see that these chassis and suspension components are all metal. Large-scale diecast models like this weigh a lot when finished and this suspension needs to support all that weight.
Next Up
Stage 7 – Front Left Chassis Beam, Steering Column/Gearbox/Cross Joint/Gears, Front Left Suspension Upper Control Arm
I had a lot of trouble getting the IM screws in. I ended up removing the HM screw for the back bracket, getting the arm aligned to get the IM screws in, the reattaching the bracket screw