TR2/3/3A Very brief status report and question on TR3A

[TR4nut]

Thought I'd post a couple of pics of my progress, or lack thereof, on my 59 3A. I've been cleaning up the rear end parts and installed the differential and leaf springs on the frame:

I'll hopefully give you an update within the year on further progress! But now, my question. I had some new leaf springs stashed away which I used on this car. When I look at the differential location, I am concerned that it is not centered within the 'frame hoops' or whatever those things are:

The differential is closer to the rear, and I may need to bend the hoops a little to make sure there is no interference. I'm surprised it isn't centered, but I don't have the original springs at the house to compare against. Is this right, or for some bizarre reason do I have bogus springs?

 

[mallard]

Hi Randy looks like some very nice work. This is a picture that I took when I was taking the car apart. The angle is not good but you can see that the hoop is close on the the back side, as yours is. Also I looked at my chassis as it is now, and I show the same thing. I don't think you have any problem.

 

[TR4nut]

Thanks Keith - right after I posted I remembered I took similar photos and found one that made me think everything was ok. I was just surprised that the setup doesn't center closer than that.

 

[Tinkerman]

Randy, I just looked at mine, same thing. I would guess, for what ever reason, that's what it's supposed to be.

Tinkerman

 

[Rhodyspit75]

I seem to remember hearing somewhere that the differentials are not centered on most cars. It has something to do with universal joints operating better when not in a straight line. I think that was before I bought my Spitfire and I was watching way to much tv.

 

[Don Elliott]

Is it possible that one (or both) of your springs are reversed? Front to back on one or both sides. If the nut that locates the axle and centers it is not correct, the axle will be located too far towards the rear with the appearance of the hoops looking too far foreward.

This is how mine looks on my 1958 TR3A. The photo is from 1989 and no issues in 103,000 miles driven since then.

 

[TR4nut]

Don-

I was wondering that myself, but I can't see how the springs can be installed reversed. The fronts of them are the fronts, no question about it. So swapping sides won't reverse them, and the locating pegs will still be in the same position relative to those hoops. I was a little worried that perhaps that centering peg was a little to far back compared to the original, but I think its ok now - to be sure though, I'm going to dig out one of the originals again and absolutely sure.

Thanks
Randy

 

[tdskip]

I can go out to the hanger and grab pictures of my 3 if you want another data point Randy.

 

[TR4nut]

Thanks Tom-

But I think I'm ok - I think both Keith's and Don's pics show the axle more towards the back. Any subtlety at this point will probably be best handled with me measuring the original spring and comparing to what I installed.

Randy

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Randy,

Mine is handy. I will snap some pics tonight and post them for you. My Springs are new as well....I am kinda of curious myself, so I will take a look.

Cheers,
David

 

[TexasKnucklehead]

Randy,
I'm glad you posted that. I hope to be installing the housing in a few days and that would have thrown me. You should be glad you had new new springs. I did not take the leafs apart, but did remove the front bush. It took me about 18 hours to get the first one out. After searching BCF for a better way, it took about an 2 hours to do both. Still, a PITA.

Anyway I searched my pictures and none showed the 'centering' clear enough, but it does seem to be not centered.

Your assembled car parts look great and I'm sure you'll never need to worry about chipping the paint on your powder coated frame. Did anyone else whistle when they saw your frame picture?

Jer

 

[TR3driver]

The axle moves forward as it moves up (relative to the frame), so it's normal to be towards the rear of the opening when it's against the frame.

 

[luke44]

This thread may end up being the biggest collection of TR3 rear end mounts in the world! Here's mine - this part of my car was done by Heritage Motorsport - a professional SoCal restoration shop, so I would be pretty confident it is right. it could be the force is forward as well as upward.....

Appologies for the dust. I'm waiting for some decent weather to take the pressure washer to it.....

#1 Left Side - Side View

[/img]


#2 Right Side Top View

 

[TR4nut]

excellent pics, thanks! I think that settles it. I didn't realize there was that much forward movement as Randall mentions to warrant such an offset. But I think I'm ready to move to the front end now!

 

[Gordon_Dedrick]

Randy
Just wanted to let you know that there are a TON of TR3 owners out there that wish the body paint looked as good as your frame!
OUTSTANDING
Gordon

 

[GBRandy]

Hey...page 30, upper left hand side of the "How to Restore Triumph TR2 TR3 @ 3A" book.

Looks just like your set-up.

Man I need a life...just reading a book on how to fix a car I don't own yet....geez.

 

[TexasKnucklehead]

adding to the collection of pictures...

 

[TR4nut]

Just wanted to let you know that there are a TON of TR3 owners out there that wish the body paint looked as good as your frame!
OUTSTANDING

Thanks Gordon - would like to take credit but actually that was the result of the lazy man's approach. We have a good powder coat place here in Houston, and when I looked to have the frame sandblasted it wasn't that painful to just let them blast and coat it at the same time.

I went with gloss black and I'm still wondering if that was a good idea. I think semi-gloss might have been just a tad better. I'm using Eastwood's extreme chassis black for all the other bits and so far I like it - it covers very well.

 

[TR4nut]

Just wanted to also say that I should have posted earlier, everybody has been posting some great reference pics here. I noticed that the original springs have that extra pad on top, I take it that is only on the passenger side?

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Hey...page 30, upper left hand side of the "How to Restore Triumph TR2 TR3 @ 3A" book.

Looks just like your set-up.

Man I need a life...just reading a book on how to fix a car I don't own yet....geez.

Bet you were a Sears catalog kid, as well... I sure was!