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TR2/3/3A '60 TR3A Uneven Stance

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Crankshaft

Crankshaft

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I recently notice an uneveness in the rear stance of my car. The passenger side is about 9/16 to 5/8 lower to the pavement than the driver's side. ( My wife alway rides on that side, but don't even go there.)

I have not measured near the front of the car, but I'm wondering if this sag can be caused by a weak spring. If it is, can it be corrected by only replacing the right spring or would it be more wise to replace both? What about having the spring re-tempered?
 
The leaf spring on my 1958 TR3A came brand new with two spacers about 1/4" thick each and about 6 to 8" long - bolted onto the top of the rear leaf spring on the passenger's side. My TR left the factory like that. These spacers are made from the same steel used for the leaves and are retained by that long bolt that holds the leaves together. Check your spring on the passenger's side. Maybe adding some spacers might level your TR. Or if you have them on that side, try removing them. Or add some spacers on the driver's side. You didn't say how much your wife weighs but mine weighs 160 pounds and the rear is level. The front springs on my TR were off-level for over 15 years and no TRA or VTR judge ever noticed. They either have different judges doing each side or, if it's the same judge, he will forget one side when he goes to examine the other side. I fixed if about 5 years ago and now it's level all around. Don Elliott, Original Owner, 1958 TR3A, TS 27489 LO
 
Thanks Don.. Actually she's about half my weight so that's why I didn't want to go there. I remember now seeing these spacers mentioned in other threads and other forums but just had forgotten. I will check that angle. How difficult is it going to be for me to add or remove these spacers if that is what is needed.
 
I have the spacers on the passenger side spring, and they would account for the difference from side to side. My car has never been apart so will I be able to remove the spacers or add them to the driver's side w/o any special tools or equipment?
 
Leave them alone. The factory built the car that way. It is said to level the car in the typical driver only loading. Bob
 
Bob, thanks for the advice. That thought went through my wee little mind as I was taking the car for a spin this afternoon.
I think I will get someone to measure while I'm sitting in the driver's seat.

Thanks again,
 
Unlike most other vehicles with leaf springs, the TR springs run under the axle. That means that adding spacers will lower the side with the spacers.

As noted, they are supposed to sit a little lower on the passenger side with no one in the car. But if the difference is more than about 3/8", then you may have a spring that is sagged or perhaps even broken internally.


Adding (or removing) spacers with the springs on the car might be interesting, but I think it could be done. Get the car on jack stands, supporting the frame. Remove the 4 nuts that clamp the spring to the axle and move the bottom plate out of the way. Probably you'll need to then under the axle, to lift it up out of the way and get room to work. Then use a C-clamp to hold the spring leaves together while you fight with the center bolt. The head of that bolt is what indexes the springs to the axle, so it is important that it be on top after adding the spacers. It's also rounded, so may be hard to hold if it wants to turn. Mine all came apart easily using an impact wrench.

Remove the bolt, release the C-clamp, add the spacers and bolt then compress again with the C-clamp so you can tighten the nut. After that, it's all just the reverse of disassembly; except you may need to jack under the spring a little bit, to get it high enough to start the 4 nuts back onto the U-bolts.

Keep your wits about you, and think about what happens if something slips at the wrong moment.
 
I added a few spacers on the p/s of my TR4 -- but that was on a car with no factory spacers so I had a lot of bolt extending beyond the nuts on those U-bolts. I made them slotted rather than just a center hole so I could slip them in from each end by loosening but not undoing the springs.

I made them out of 1/8" aluminum bar stock. As I recall I used three, two slipped in one way and a third from the other direction sandwiched between the first two. Been a couple of years now and all is still well with it.
 
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