rx1900
1981 X1/9
Note this may be considered a commercial post.
Hi Folks. Good news. Yup...as the title suggests....my famous suspension re-fresh kits are available again. What with world-wide supply chain issues...it has been a struggle to accumulate all the bits needed for these kits. Some of the components have been on order for a year and a half !! This time I have "decent" supply.
And even better news. I was finally able to obtain some unobtanium X1/9 1300 and Lancia Scorpion rear ball joint boots. So can offer complete kits for those models now !!
So yes - suspension re-fresh kits. Typically one of the most neglected aspects of our cars. After 40 or so years, most of us still have all the original and tired suspension bushings and boots. This should be addressed as part of a restoration - or as a simple re-fresh project. Many of you have been investing in fancy coil-overs and zoomy wheels and tires...without addressing the basics.
The job is fairly easy as the X1/9/Scorpion has a very simple suspension system. But the parts required are now very tough - if not impossible - to obtain. Until now....
So...I obtained - or re-produced - all the parts that are likely to be required. And am offering them in complete kits. Ready now in limited quantities.
The front kit contains the following :
4 x radius rod bushings. These are found at the front of the radius arm, and are usually the most worn bushing. The ones on your X are likely quite worn, leading to shaking and slop. These are very high quality Italian made rubber bushings. Recent production.
2 x radius rod grommets. The blue things shown. They are found inside the radius rod bracket at the front of the car. And isolate the steel bushing. Not visible until you dismantle. And are quite often deteriorated to the point of being actually quite often missing entirely !! Leading to rattles and slop. You may not even realize they are supposed to be there. These were re-designed and produced right here in Canada to my specs. From a form of polyurethane. Just pliable enough to be able to be installed easily by hand. No boiling water needed.... Durable and compliant.
2 x front control arm inner bushings. High quality Italian rubber. Recent production. The ones on your X are likely cracked and hardened by now. They are indeed a bit of a bear to install, but well worth the effort.
10 x new nyloc nuts. All the ones you need to disturb. Some are a very odd sized special "high type". They should be replaced instead of re-using the old original ones. I could not find these anywhere in North America. So imported them from Europe. All are to OE spec. Grade 8 zinc plated. With the proper OE wrench size.
And then.....the boots.... Ahhh...the boots. They were by far the most challenging items to source. None of the usual vendors offer these.
For the front ball joints.....there were actually 2 different types of boots ( and control arms ) supplied during the long X1/9 production run. Look closely at the pic below. It seems...the 1500 models came with a control arm and boot like the one on the left. With a boot that was held on by 2 funky wire clips. While the 1300 models and Scorpions had a control arm with a boot that had an integral steel ring that pressed onto the control arm. The boots are NOT interchangeable !!
note the control arm IS different in the spot the pencil point to. And thus requires the proper type boot.
For the 1500 style boots....I was finally able to order custom boots from Europe. To the exact size and shape of the OE boots. They fit perfectly. Requires you to re-use the original clips. And...I was able to spec them in an upgraded polyurethane material. Nothing better !!
For the 1300 style boots, I was able to find high quality Italian rubber reproductions. With the integral steel ring as shown.
The kit is supplied with your choice of boot types. Two of each of course. You must specify which type you need. It should - in theory - be a 1300 vs 1500 thing - but perhaps your X had new control arms ( the whole arms are interchangeable between any year ) installed in the past. It does seem most of the replacement arms that have been available over the years - and even currently - are actually the 1300 type. Please look carefully at the pics and order the type you need. My boots "should" fit aftermarket replacement arms of each type.....but I cannot guarantee that.
The kit also contains 2 x front outer tie rod end boots. Yeah...I know that is actually part of the steering - not suspension - but those cracked boots on my car were crying out......and I was sourcing all the other boots...so why not. From all my research..it seems ALL X1/9s came with tie rod boots of the "press-on" type with integral steel ring. They look just like the 1300 ball joint boots - only smaller in size. For these I was able to source quality Italian replacement rubber boots. These are likely the type you need...however...it seems most replacement tie rod ends for the X1/9 are actually the type that require the"clip-on" style boot.
Again.....that type I was able to custom order - in an upgraded poly boot - the perfect size for any of the replacement style tie rod ends I found.
And again...you must check your car and specify what type you would like included in your kit.
And finally.....the kit contains a tube of high end special moly grease. So you can clean out all the old hardened and cruddy grease from the joints before replacing the boots. Research indicated this is the best grease to use. In a handy squeeze tube with lid.
So there you have it. Everything in one handy kit from one source.
Just specify :
Kit A - In theory for most 1500 X1/9s. Includes clip-on style ball joint boots and press-on style tie rod end boots
Kit B - in theory for most 1300 X1/9s and Scorpions. Includes press-on style ball joint boots and press-on style tie rod end boots
Kit C - Includes clip-on style ball joint boots and clip-on style tie rod end boots
Kit D - includes press-on style ball joint boots and clip-on style tie rod end boots.
As I had great difficulty in obtaining some of the components, for now I will only be offering the kits, and not individual bits. Although I do have lots of the radius rod grommets if you want to just order some of them. Depending on the take of the boot types, I may well have some of the boots left over when the dust settles.
Kit pricing: ( the same for any variant )
Only $87 Canadian plus shipping. Contact me for a shipping quote.
As I anticipate most of the orders will be coming from our USA members..I will offer a very special deal for you folks
Only $79 US complete with air mail shipping. But...this offer is only available under 1 condition...Payment to ME in US funds ( Paypal recognizes that I am in Canada and defaults to converting it to Canadian funds at my end ). You can change that part way through the process to specify that I receive US funds. It makes NO difference to the amount you pay - still $79 US -just how I get it.. If...you are are unable - or unwilling - to pay me in this manner - that is okay by me. Just pay in Canadian $$ and contact me for a shipping quote. If you cant figure out that US $ Paypal thing...I can simply send you a Paypal request that you just click on.
Moving on....of course I am also offering a REAR suspension re-fresh kit.
This includes:
4 x rear A arm bushings. High quality Italian bushings. Recent production.
8 x special nyloc nuts. Grade 8 zinc plated. Proper OE wrench size.
2 x wheel bearing v ring seal. This may seem like an odd item to include...but you will sadly discover that to remove the A arm from the car ( to change the bushings or to replace the ball joint boot ).......you must first disconnect the driveshaft and remove the stub axle on the 1500 X and Scorpion ( no big deal ) - or remove the driveshaft on the 1300 X at which point this seal ( or the remnants of it ) is now exposed and begging to be changed. Might as well...
2 x ball joint boots. Yes...like the fronts... there were two different types of joints and boots supplied from the factory. And yes....the 1300 models and Scorpions again came with a press-on type boot with integral metal retaining ring. This type I have recently been able to supply . Again...the 1500 models came with a "clip-on" style boot. These I was finally able to special order - a perfect replacement fit. Again in an upgraded poly material. I even upgraded to a double bellows design for more flexibility. Re-use your existing clips for a secure and perfect fit. This is NOT a generic universal slip-over boot that others provide.
2 x outer rear toe link boots. Again, a custom upgraded OE style boot in poly. A perfect fit.
2 x cotter pins for the outer toe link castle nut. An oddball metric size. 18-8 stainless.
1 x tube of special moly grease for re-greasing the ball joints.
Edit - full disclosure here - there is another steel/rubber bushing in the rear suspension - at the inner end of each rear toe link - that is NOT included in this kit. But....there is so little rubber in these bushings ( well under 1/8" ) and there is so little motion at this bushing....and these are 99% of the time still in decent condition...and they are very difficult to source....and expensive if you can find them.... I felt it is usually not needed to be changed...and would have substantially increased the costs of the kits. So i drew a line there. If you are really keen to change them while you are in there...contact me and I will try to guide you to a source for them.....
Complete kit - note you must specify the ball joint boot type needed. The boots are NOT interchangeable. See the pic below. The old rusty arm is from a 1300 - Scorpions look the same. The nicely painted arm is from my 1500. Note the difference.
Kit F - in theory for all 1500 X1/9s. Contains clip-on type ball joint boots
Kit G - in theory for all 1300 X1/9s. Contains press-on type ball joint boots and 1300 type bearing seal
Kit H - in theory for all Scorpions. Contains press-on type ball joint boots and 1500 type bearing seal.
Note: As far as I have seen, ALL X1/9s and Scorpions had a rear toe link end with clip-on type boots.
Rear kit pricing: $145 Canadian plus shipping
Again....a special deal for USA Xweb folks. Only $125 US including air mail shipping. but same conditions as above.
Or.....a special mombo-combo deal for both kits: Includes only one tube of grease ( more than enough )
$217 Canadian plus shipping
$189 US including shipping ( above conditions )
Last time I felt bad that I disappointed some folks with my limited stock. This time I think I have enough for a short while to satisfy anyone who wants a kit. When these are gone...not sure how long it would take for another offering....or if I have the energy and patience to go through this again !!
I think....last time I was able to help out eventually those who requested as stock trickled in. If anyone out there asked to go on a waiting list...and I have not yet fulfilled them...i'd be happy to sell them kits at the old original price. If anyone bought a partial kit off me last year.....contact me and I will do my best to supply you the missing bits.
Or if anyone requires some type of odd mix and match kit due to a mix of year or model component on their car.....just contact me for a custom kit !!
For info and hints on installing these kits..just read here:
And a link to other cool bits I have available:
Thanks for looking. Thanks for your support. Doug
Hi Folks. Good news. Yup...as the title suggests....my famous suspension re-fresh kits are available again. What with world-wide supply chain issues...it has been a struggle to accumulate all the bits needed for these kits. Some of the components have been on order for a year and a half !! This time I have "decent" supply.
And even better news. I was finally able to obtain some unobtanium X1/9 1300 and Lancia Scorpion rear ball joint boots. So can offer complete kits for those models now !!
So yes - suspension re-fresh kits. Typically one of the most neglected aspects of our cars. After 40 or so years, most of us still have all the original and tired suspension bushings and boots. This should be addressed as part of a restoration - or as a simple re-fresh project. Many of you have been investing in fancy coil-overs and zoomy wheels and tires...without addressing the basics.
The job is fairly easy as the X1/9/Scorpion has a very simple suspension system. But the parts required are now very tough - if not impossible - to obtain. Until now....
So...I obtained - or re-produced - all the parts that are likely to be required. And am offering them in complete kits. Ready now in limited quantities.
The front kit contains the following :
4 x radius rod bushings. These are found at the front of the radius arm, and are usually the most worn bushing. The ones on your X are likely quite worn, leading to shaking and slop. These are very high quality Italian made rubber bushings. Recent production.
2 x radius rod grommets. The blue things shown. They are found inside the radius rod bracket at the front of the car. And isolate the steel bushing. Not visible until you dismantle. And are quite often deteriorated to the point of being actually quite often missing entirely !! Leading to rattles and slop. You may not even realize they are supposed to be there. These were re-designed and produced right here in Canada to my specs. From a form of polyurethane. Just pliable enough to be able to be installed easily by hand. No boiling water needed.... Durable and compliant.
2 x front control arm inner bushings. High quality Italian rubber. Recent production. The ones on your X are likely cracked and hardened by now. They are indeed a bit of a bear to install, but well worth the effort.
10 x new nyloc nuts. All the ones you need to disturb. Some are a very odd sized special "high type". They should be replaced instead of re-using the old original ones. I could not find these anywhere in North America. So imported them from Europe. All are to OE spec. Grade 8 zinc plated. With the proper OE wrench size.
And then.....the boots.... Ahhh...the boots. They were by far the most challenging items to source. None of the usual vendors offer these.
For the front ball joints.....there were actually 2 different types of boots ( and control arms ) supplied during the long X1/9 production run. Look closely at the pic below. It seems...the 1500 models came with a control arm and boot like the one on the left. With a boot that was held on by 2 funky wire clips. While the 1300 models and Scorpions had a control arm with a boot that had an integral steel ring that pressed onto the control arm. The boots are NOT interchangeable !!
note the control arm IS different in the spot the pencil point to. And thus requires the proper type boot.
For the 1500 style boots....I was finally able to order custom boots from Europe. To the exact size and shape of the OE boots. They fit perfectly. Requires you to re-use the original clips. And...I was able to spec them in an upgraded polyurethane material. Nothing better !!
For the 1300 style boots, I was able to find high quality Italian rubber reproductions. With the integral steel ring as shown.
The kit is supplied with your choice of boot types. Two of each of course. You must specify which type you need. It should - in theory - be a 1300 vs 1500 thing - but perhaps your X had new control arms ( the whole arms are interchangeable between any year ) installed in the past. It does seem most of the replacement arms that have been available over the years - and even currently - are actually the 1300 type. Please look carefully at the pics and order the type you need. My boots "should" fit aftermarket replacement arms of each type.....but I cannot guarantee that.
The kit also contains 2 x front outer tie rod end boots. Yeah...I know that is actually part of the steering - not suspension - but those cracked boots on my car were crying out......and I was sourcing all the other boots...so why not. From all my research..it seems ALL X1/9s came with tie rod boots of the "press-on" type with integral steel ring. They look just like the 1300 ball joint boots - only smaller in size. For these I was able to source quality Italian replacement rubber boots. These are likely the type you need...however...it seems most replacement tie rod ends for the X1/9 are actually the type that require the"clip-on" style boot.
Again.....that type I was able to custom order - in an upgraded poly boot - the perfect size for any of the replacement style tie rod ends I found.
And again...you must check your car and specify what type you would like included in your kit.
And finally.....the kit contains a tube of high end special moly grease. So you can clean out all the old hardened and cruddy grease from the joints before replacing the boots. Research indicated this is the best grease to use. In a handy squeeze tube with lid.
So there you have it. Everything in one handy kit from one source.
Just specify :
Kit A - In theory for most 1500 X1/9s. Includes clip-on style ball joint boots and press-on style tie rod end boots
Kit B - in theory for most 1300 X1/9s and Scorpions. Includes press-on style ball joint boots and press-on style tie rod end boots
Kit C - Includes clip-on style ball joint boots and clip-on style tie rod end boots
Kit D - includes press-on style ball joint boots and clip-on style tie rod end boots.
As I had great difficulty in obtaining some of the components, for now I will only be offering the kits, and not individual bits. Although I do have lots of the radius rod grommets if you want to just order some of them. Depending on the take of the boot types, I may well have some of the boots left over when the dust settles.
Kit pricing: ( the same for any variant )
Only $87 Canadian plus shipping. Contact me for a shipping quote.
As I anticipate most of the orders will be coming from our USA members..I will offer a very special deal for you folks
Only $79 US complete with air mail shipping. But...this offer is only available under 1 condition...Payment to ME in US funds ( Paypal recognizes that I am in Canada and defaults to converting it to Canadian funds at my end ). You can change that part way through the process to specify that I receive US funds. It makes NO difference to the amount you pay - still $79 US -just how I get it.. If...you are are unable - or unwilling - to pay me in this manner - that is okay by me. Just pay in Canadian $$ and contact me for a shipping quote. If you cant figure out that US $ Paypal thing...I can simply send you a Paypal request that you just click on.
Moving on....of course I am also offering a REAR suspension re-fresh kit.
This includes:
4 x rear A arm bushings. High quality Italian bushings. Recent production.
8 x special nyloc nuts. Grade 8 zinc plated. Proper OE wrench size.
2 x wheel bearing v ring seal. This may seem like an odd item to include...but you will sadly discover that to remove the A arm from the car ( to change the bushings or to replace the ball joint boot ).......you must first disconnect the driveshaft and remove the stub axle on the 1500 X and Scorpion ( no big deal ) - or remove the driveshaft on the 1300 X at which point this seal ( or the remnants of it ) is now exposed and begging to be changed. Might as well...
2 x ball joint boots. Yes...like the fronts... there were two different types of joints and boots supplied from the factory. And yes....the 1300 models and Scorpions again came with a press-on type boot with integral metal retaining ring. This type I have recently been able to supply . Again...the 1500 models came with a "clip-on" style boot. These I was finally able to special order - a perfect replacement fit. Again in an upgraded poly material. I even upgraded to a double bellows design for more flexibility. Re-use your existing clips for a secure and perfect fit. This is NOT a generic universal slip-over boot that others provide.
2 x outer rear toe link boots. Again, a custom upgraded OE style boot in poly. A perfect fit.
2 x cotter pins for the outer toe link castle nut. An oddball metric size. 18-8 stainless.
1 x tube of special moly grease for re-greasing the ball joints.
Edit - full disclosure here - there is another steel/rubber bushing in the rear suspension - at the inner end of each rear toe link - that is NOT included in this kit. But....there is so little rubber in these bushings ( well under 1/8" ) and there is so little motion at this bushing....and these are 99% of the time still in decent condition...and they are very difficult to source....and expensive if you can find them.... I felt it is usually not needed to be changed...and would have substantially increased the costs of the kits. So i drew a line there. If you are really keen to change them while you are in there...contact me and I will try to guide you to a source for them.....
Complete kit - note you must specify the ball joint boot type needed. The boots are NOT interchangeable. See the pic below. The old rusty arm is from a 1300 - Scorpions look the same. The nicely painted arm is from my 1500. Note the difference.
Kit F - in theory for all 1500 X1/9s. Contains clip-on type ball joint boots
Kit G - in theory for all 1300 X1/9s. Contains press-on type ball joint boots and 1300 type bearing seal
Kit H - in theory for all Scorpions. Contains press-on type ball joint boots and 1500 type bearing seal.
Note: As far as I have seen, ALL X1/9s and Scorpions had a rear toe link end with clip-on type boots.
Rear kit pricing: $145 Canadian plus shipping
Again....a special deal for USA Xweb folks. Only $125 US including air mail shipping. but same conditions as above.
Or.....a special mombo-combo deal for both kits: Includes only one tube of grease ( more than enough )
$217 Canadian plus shipping
$189 US including shipping ( above conditions )
Last time I felt bad that I disappointed some folks with my limited stock. This time I think I have enough for a short while to satisfy anyone who wants a kit. When these are gone...not sure how long it would take for another offering....or if I have the energy and patience to go through this again !!
I think....last time I was able to help out eventually those who requested as stock trickled in. If anyone out there asked to go on a waiting list...and I have not yet fulfilled them...i'd be happy to sell them kits at the old original price. If anyone bought a partial kit off me last year.....contact me and I will do my best to supply you the missing bits.
Or if anyone requires some type of odd mix and match kit due to a mix of year or model component on their car.....just contact me for a custom kit !!
For info and hints on installing these kits..just read here:
Suspension re-fresh
Hi folks. As part of my restoration, I decided to re-fresh the suspension of my X1/9. Like many of yours....the car had been sitting for quite a few years. The suspension parts were looking somewhat rusty,and the bushings and boots were old, tired, hardened, and cracked in places. I also built...
xwebforums.com
And a link to other cool bits I have available:
Parts ordering from rx1900
Hi folks. In order to un-clutter my other threads, below is a summary of parts available from me and ordering info. As a token of my appreciation of being able to post my offerings here on Xweb - I will pledge to donate $2 to the Xweb coffers ( I know it does take money to keep this forum going...
xwebforums.com
Thanks for looking. Thanks for your support. Doug
Last edited:
