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Spitfire 1978 Spitfire 1500

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Jody,

The spring bushing looks fine. what you see the just the loop of the outer leaf. The bolt goes though the second leaf where the buhing is located.

I see the wear pads between the springs are shot or missing. That could be why the leaves are touching.

I will try and get an undershot of my new spring to compare to.

Don R
 
looks pretty normal to me.
 
Jody, On page 126 of the VictoriaBritish Catalog it shows explicity that the spring needs bushings.They are $9.95EA.
If interested i can send you some very clear photos of my new spring set-up & also showing the air-shocks.Which i took photos of right after install.
My Email is kenspitfire@hotmail.com
This is great reference info.
Ken
 
Just to follow up with everyone, balancing the tires has made a significant improvement in the car's ride. I just recieved the second box of goodies in the post from SpitBits. Mum has reclaimed her car for the weekend (as we're heading out of town for a wedding).

Once I get back we'll change over to the oil filter adapter, put in the new speedo cable, and start replacing the bits of the suspension and shocks that have gone bad.

Today my brother and I picked up the "parts car" and brought it back to my house. I went through it, boxed all the loose bits, and cleaned out the car. It's rough (in comparison to the good car) but still better than most of my restoration projects. It appears like the floorboards are toast (you can totally fred flintstone in the passenger side). I'll get it up in the air next week to see how good/bad the frame is.

Thanks to all on getting us started on this project. Between my Mum, my brother's and my wife's interest all this Triumphing has turned into good family fun.

Cheers!
Jody
 
JodyFKerr said:
Thanks to all on getting us started on this project. Between my Mum, my brother's and my wife's interest all this Triumphing has turned into good family fun.
Click to expand...

Now THAT'S something to cheer about!
 
Hey Folks,

I just realized I hadn't updated on this project in a bit.

Still not passing emissions, but it's not a big deal as Mum's out of town for the next month or so.

So far we've done the following:

1) Replaced all the rubber in the front suspension, including ball joints, tie rod ends, trunnions, etc. Also replaced the shock absorbers.
2) Replaced the ignition system with one of those nice setups from Jeff at Advance Distributor. New plugs as well.
3) New catalytic converter.
4) Replaced all oil-type fluids in the car. Put on the oil filter adaptor.
5) Fixed the speedometer.

Next steps:

1) Rebuild the master cylinder (it's starting to fade out at lights)
2) Rebuild the carburetor (aka put the right one on the car)

It drives SO much better than when we got it. As soon as the carb is fixed it'll pass emissions (it's running rich, and the carb that's on the car is worn, can't adjust it any more).

One question, what's the consensus on the shims on the front lower A arms? I just can't seem to get the suspension dialed in. From my reading there was some "controversy" (for lack of a better word) between the US teams and the English teams on their use to correct the suspension camber.
 
Depends on what you mean by suspension camber.

If you mean the bump steer that is a characteristic of the 1500's. It comes from the steering geometry being whacked out by the long springs put in the fron to bring the lights up to DOT specs.

put in the short springs if you haven't already.
 
Hey,

No, I'm not worried about the bump steer. I'm worried about the tire wear I'm seeing. From what I've read the only way to fix the camber is to use shims in between the lower a-arms and the frame which would then push the bottom out further and fix the alignment.

And what are these shorter springs you're speaking of? I'll bet the car has stock ones, how tall are the shorter ones? And what sort of effect do they have to the suspension short of lowering it?

Thanks!
Jody
 
JodyFKerr said:
Hey,

No, I'm not worried about the bump steer. I'm worried about the tire wear I'm seeing. From what I've read the only way to fix the camber is to use shims in between the lower a-arms and the frame which would then push the bottom out further and fix the alignment.

And what are these shorter springs you're speaking of? I'll bet the car has stock ones, how tall are the shorter ones? And what sort of effect do they have to the suspension short of lowering it?

Thanks!
Jody
Click to expand...

Usually lowering means you get negitive camber as a side effect.
 
The shorter springs, stock ones out of a MKIII actually, or custom ones from Spitbits or VB or The Roadster Factory, or TS Imports will lower the front yes, but also put the steering geometry back on a level keel. The longer springs put the steering arms at a wonky angle.

Root around on https://www.teglerizer.com/triumphstuff/index.html. There is a whole page of what happens with the shorter springs.

That page is hard core spitfire. Six cylinder ones, fuel injected ones, all kinds of stuff.
 
Steve,

Thanks for the link! Now I just wish I'd known this before replacing the front shocks. I hate messing with spring/shock combinations. :smile:

Looks like I'll have to keep my eyes open for some earlier springs.

Jody
 
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