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TR2/3/3A Car leans to one side

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Daves1957TR-3

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OK, this is hopefully the last of my weird problems on old Forrest here. My 57 TR3 is leaning to the left. About 3/4 inch lower and is the same front to back. I did check that the tires are all the same size, and are the same brand as well. ;) Any ideas on things to look at? Or is this a non-problem?

Thanks, Dave
 
I'd say most likely it is an issue, a broken or seriously sagged spring.
DSCF0016_crop.jpg~original
 
It is not uncommon for them to sag on the left after years of use since most of the miles have probably been with just one passenger - but ¾" is a lot to attribute to old age so I agree you should look for breaks in the spring.

They may be hard to see - likely won't be as dramatic as Randall's photo with the spring still in place and the leaves still clamped together. Additionally some of the breaks may be concealed behind other components. When mine broke I thought I was looking at a single break until I started taking things apart - then I found several leaves broken. I suspect that once one breaks others soon follow.

I don't know that it is 'best practice' but I had read that some had issues with ride height using replacement springs so I got a used spring and just replaced the broken side (passenger side like Randall's). I was able to sneak in and replace it without disturbing the diff or the other spring.

I ended up with a level ride as the replacement spring was about the same age as the one I did not change but I am sure that if going with new springs you will want to do both sides.
 
Removing the factory spacer will gain a little (if your car has one). Otherwise, the only solution I know is to have the spring re-arched. Any spring shop should be able to handle it (but there aren't so many of those around since modern cars don't use leaf springs any more). Look for a place that repairs big truck suspensions.
 
Dave do not worry about the questions because you are asking the same question everyone does when they own a TR3. Your car looks great and the 1957 has always been one of my favorites. Most have the small mouth and disc brakes stock. Oh and yes, probably a broken spring. If you do fix it, I would find a shop that still makes them and have one made. Plus they can be a real bear to get off because of the way the front pin is installed. Many people have to lift the body tub up in the back. Although, some times the front pin will come out. Also I would try and bring up old post on the subject of spring removal.
Regards steve
 
Like the 2 spacers like in Randalls picture of the broken springs. I did that and it didn't seem to help. About a 1" difference from rt to left side.
 
Thanks all! When I put the car up on jacks in a couple of weeks I will check. My Buick returns with a new rear pumpkin next week so that will be my focus for a bit...
 
Got_All_4 said:
Like the 2 spacers like in Randalls picture of the broken springs. I did that and it didn't seem to help. About a 1" difference from rt to left side.
Click to expand...

Of course that pair of spacers only adjust by the thickness of two leaves - not much help if you've got an inch of sag. I don't consider broken springs to be okay and a ¾ to 1" difference is not my idea of acceptable aging.

BTW - In case it isn't obvious, the spacers cause the side they are used on to sit lower (not higher). Possibly counter-intuitive until you recall that the springs are under the axle.
 
Which way does it lean now and by how much?

Does it already have spacers in place on one side (LHD TR3s usually had two on the right spring, at some point - possibly with TR4s - these were discontinued).
 
Geo Hahn said:
Of course that pair of spacers only adjust by the thickness of two leaves - not much help if you've got an inch of sag.
Click to expand...
You may not see even that much change. At some point, there is less load on the side that is lower, so the car doesn't move as much as you expect.
I don't consider broken springs to be okay and a ¾ to 1" difference is not my idea of acceptable aging.
Click to expand...
Ditto! With that much sag, IMO there is a problem that needs to be corrected, not just shimmed up.
 
Last edited:
Geo Hahn said:
Which way does it lean now and by how much?

Does it already have spacers in place on one side (LHD TR3s usually had two on the right spring, at some point - possibly with TR4s - these were discontinued).
Click to expand...

To the left, about 3/4", and it's the same on the front as the back.
 
Geo Hahn said:
Which way does it lean now and by how much?

Does it already have spacers in place on one side (LHD TR3s usually had two on the right spring, at some point - possibly with TR4s - these were discontinued).
Click to expand...

Daves1957TR-3 said:
To the left, about 3/4", and it's the same on the front as the back.
Click to expand...

Oops, sorry Dave - I was responding to a post by 'Got all 4' who also has sag, was asking about the shims but did not offer details.
 
Daves1957TR-3 said:
it's the same on the front as the back.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, that's the way it works. Even with the TR's reputation as a "flexible flyer", the frame is much stiffer than the suspension is. So if either front or rear spring (or both) is weaker/lower, the entire car tilts to that side.

In theory, you could tell the difference by checking corner weights (weight actually sitting on each tire). I intend to do that eventually, because uneven side-to-side weight distribution leads to squirrelly handling. But I haven't gotten there yet. My next step will be to buy another pair of rear springs from TRF and hope that this time, they will be at least somewhat close to correct. The last pair I got were much, much too stiff. (Unfortunately I had already modified them before discovering they didn't work, so not returnable. Another lesson learned!)
 
The lean, was it measured at the body for instance at the wheel wells or rocker panels or was it measured at the frame. That is the first thing to know before proceeding with much more than checking the springs for cracks. Think you know where this is headed.
 
I measured at the wheel wells. I am putting it up on ramps this week so I will check the frame before I do. I hate to ask where this is headed!
 
Taking a break from priming on my TR4. Not meaning to sound ominous, just that if the chassis is level the lean is caused by the body mounts. The mounting pads and washers are worn out or the outriggers are bent or broke off or the body floor is cracked, fatigued where it mounts to the outriggers. On my TR4 the floor above the mounting pads had rusted, cracked and bowed upwards. Not a difficult fix, just one more thing.
 
Gawd, I thought a spring replacement sounded bad, but after what you posted I hope it *is* springs!
 
Just got it off the ramps tonite. So I measured the frame, and the results were a bit unexpected. Turns out the height off the ground (taken at the rear end of the doors) is 6.75" on the left side and 6.25" on the right side. So the body leans lower on the left side by 0.75" but the frame leans lower on the right by 0.5". What do you all make of this????

Cheers, Dave
 
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