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TR2/3/3A Moss "competition" leaf springs?

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K

karls59tr

Obi Wan
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It's time to replace the ancient springs on the 3.Anyone have any info on the competition springs? I read somewhere that what they used to do for racing was to remove two of the leaves and replace with a single thicker leaf to stiffen up the spring.
Is this what is done in this application?
I expect you would get better road handling with comp springs but it might accentuate the already bumpy buckboard ride? A trade off? :eagerness:
 
I did not change the springs but did put adjustable tube shocks on the rear of my TR3. Transformed the ride and no more bottom out on big bumps. I would say my TR3A rides better than my wife's Toyota now.

Jerry
 
Jerry said:
I did not change the springs but did put adjustable tube shocks on the rear of my TR3. Transformed the ride and no more bottom out on big bumps. I would say my TR3A rides better than my wife's Toyota now
How did you secure the tube shocks to the body? I've heard stories of tube shocks pulling out of the body when that conversion is done to TR4A and TR6's
Click to expand...
 
Jerry said:
I did not change the springs but did put adjustable tube shocks on the rear of my TR3. Transformed the ride and no more bottom out on big bumps. I would say my TR3A rides better than my wife's Toyota now.

Jerry
Click to expand...
Assuming your wife drives a modern Toyota, that is certainly a dramatic improvement. However I think one could expect an improvement, albeit to a lesser degree, by rebuilding or replacing the lever shocks.
Same with the springs, renewing the non-competition standard spring will also improve the ride.
Tom
 
My previous TR3A did have rebuilt lever shocks and they bottomed out at times. This tube shock kit does not allow for the lever shocks to be used in conjuction with the tube shock. The tube shocks for the TR3A must have a bracket welded to the axle housing. This is technically reversible, since you can cut them off and polish up the axle so you won't see it at all. I bought the kit from Rimmer Brothers. I also put adjustable shocks on the front. So the ride is very good. The other improvement was the addition of a front sway bar and Rack and pinon steering. This pretty much takes care of the stuff on my old car that was in need of improvement.
Why a sway bar? My old car would start bouncing on the freeway and it seemed to me that a sway bar would help steady it. The Rack& Pinion was mostly for my wife and daughters as the original steering is stiff. Now it is like power steering. The kit sold does impart bump steer and that must be corrected but it is a good improvement. I think the brand of R&P that Pat Galvin installed is a better choice than mine. It allows you use the original turn signals.
I know some of you prefer to stick to original. I had a car like that and enjoy the drive more now. IE: the car will be driven more.

Jerry
 
Unless they are really severe bumps, then I'd say any bottoming out is caused by sag in the original springs. New, stock spec springs should not bottom out over any but the most severe bumps.

And stiffer springs have a handling downside on the street as well, since they make the rear wheels tend to skip over the tops of the bumps rather than follow them. Not to mention the effects on kidneys and teeth :smile:
 
I have a book about vintage racing British sports cars, it lists the various models, and common, accepted modifications, on one of the cars, the owner talks about actually softening the rear suspension to make the car handle better by removing a leaf, I believe it is either a solid axle TR or a Sprite. I thought that was very interesting, and in relation to the original question, a stock suspension or a TR is plenty stiff, sway bars and shocks are probably better routes to improved handling.
 
Anyone have thoughts on TRF rear springs? They're on sale this week...
 
mrv8q said:
Anyone have thoughts on TRF rear springs? They're on sale this week...
Click to expand...

I am using TRF leaf springs on both of my TR4's and a TR3B. I noticed on the first set which went on the 3B that there was a issue with the length. I contacted TRF and they replaced them. I understand that after that point they did some checking into what they were getting and improved their stock. Subsequently I have put two sets on the TR 4's. I am happy with them.
Charley
 
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