adjustable trunnion

[maxwedge5281]

i just received an ad from healey spares advertising adjustable trunions for big healeys. i have seen them mentioned on the forum before. are they really worth the price to improve steering. the ad did not mention how much adjustability they have but for a street car driven regularly would it be worthwhile to consider....they are about 150 us dollars for a set.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

I have them on my BJ8; I think they're good for about 1.5deg of camber change, max. That price seems high, I think I paid about half that--many years ago--but you might want to check around.

 

[steveg]

These can be overkill in the price dept. British Car Specialists sell rubber/poly upper trunions* with an offset hole for much less than the quoted above. Suggest giving them a call before buying from across the pond. You insert these for the maximum negative camber and forget them. It's not necessary for them to be adjusted.

*Addendum: I meant upper trunion bushings.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

After reading Steve's comment, it occurred to me I may have been off base. I was thinking of adjustable trunnion bushings; does HS have something different?

 

[maxwedge5281]

here is a pic that was with the ad....i dont know if they have more adjustability than those with the rubber bushings....

 

[Bob_Spidell]

here is a pic that was with the ad....i dont know if they have more adjustability than those with the rubber bushings....

Probably not. The bushings are only about an inch diameter on the inside; not much room to create the offset. Those do look to be nicely made, though, and probably worth the money.

 

[steveg]

I installed something similar - possibly identical - to the above from Cape - which required modifications in order to fit. The taper on the bronze bushings had to be turned down in order for them to seat properly in the upper trunion. My machinist also cut a lengthwise oiling groove in the eccentric barrel and a threaded hole for a zerk. (Allen screw in photo)
Once you install one of these you'll be surprised at how little camber adjustment it provides. IMO, not worth the money. Especially if you have to return it.

 

[John Turney]

The poly ones are much less. I have them and have about -1 deg camber.

 

[steveg]

Never understood why: "A" is not a knife-edge, thereby maximizing diameter "B", adding to offset "D", and "C" is not effectively zero, thereby maximizing offset "D".

 

[Randy Forbes]

Way back when: I hadn't had my mill for very long when I was doing little projects to familiarize myself with its capabilities (and limitations). I turned these out in both UHMW and bronze; I've had the UHMW ones fitted ever since. They still are knock-free, so their internal bore hasn't worn much, if at all.

I still have the bronze ones, in the same dimensions show (or in other words, unfinished to final size) and will keep them as a backup, should the UHMW ones wear out.

The hex is 1-1/16" and with a suitably thinned wrench, the camber can be adjusted by merely loosening the stock upper trunnion bolt. I set them to -1.0* (negative) camber, but I think they'll go just under 1.5* max.

The trunnions on BN6L-942 were bored straight-thru, equal to their original maximum bore size (at the ends).

I had also embarked upon making some upper trunnions, facilitating adjustment and clamping, but they turned out to be too darn heavy!

I did get them mostly finished, but can't seem to find the pictures; next time I turn up one of the "billet trunnions" I'll grab some pices then...

 

[Deleted member 19315]

Those bushes look like a nice little project, good work. What is UHMW short for ? I have a small mill and lathe so think I will have a go too.

Andy

 

[Keoke]

Andy:
Ultra High Molecular Weight Plastic---NOT!! Teflon----:eagerness:

 

[steveg]

AHSpares sells these in Nylon for #21.50 + VAT; in the US, BP Northwest sells similar for $18.00:

 

[Randy Forbes]

AHSpares sells these in Nylon for #21.50 + VAT; in the US, BP Northwest sells similar for $18.00:

Had those been available a dozen years ago, I wouldn't have wasted the time to make my own__not to save $20.00__that's for sure!

 

[Deleted member 19315]

You're right of course but we all like these little garagist projects...I think. Yes deffo not Teflon...I made a shaft bearing for a water jet powered boat from that stuff once ( when I knew less but thought I knew more) ...very unsuccesfull !!!

 

[Keoke]

Had those been available a dozen years ago, I wouldn't have wasted the time to make my own__not to save $20.00__that's for sure!

Yeah!! Randy:
"N" I would not have replaced my front shock plates to set my camber @ 0 degrees either--:highly_amused: