TR4/4A confirm upper wishbone arms

[jmcfly]

Before I proceed I wanted to confirm that I have the upper wishbone arms and the fulcrum oriented correctly. The photo is of a TR4A left (driver) side. My Ball manual shows this arrangement with the curve of the fulcrum "around" the shock bolt hole and the long wishbone arm to the rear. With this arrangement the "R" on the arm is up and I thought that indicated the right side arrangement. Appreciate any help on this.

 

[ghawk16]

Here is my 63 TR4. I'm not sure if they are the same, but it seems you have the fulcrum correct, but the arms switched. My curved arm is in the front where it looks like yours is in the rear.

 

[KVH]

I just removed mine and they are marked. If you can wait 'til this afternoon I can confirm exactly how they were installed, though the manual will say as well.

 

[charleyf]

You need to remember that the front (left) arm on the left side is the same as the front (right) on the right side. So having a R or L does not seem practical. When you put the lower trunnion in place everything should line up all of the way down. If it is skewed to one side then the top would be wrong.
Charley

 

[jmcfly]

My concern is the fulcrum really. The way in which it faces the shock bolt. The "Ball" manual shows it specifically the way I have it for a 4A. Images I've seached, and those posted are both ways. Is the 4A different and which is correct, the fulcrum curved around the shock bolt or away?

 

[charleyf]

My concern is the fulcrum really. The way in which it faces the shock bolt. The "Ball" manual shows it specifically the way I have it for a 4A. Images I've seached, and those posted are both ways. Is the 4A different and which is correct, the fulcrum curved around the shock bolt or away?

It curves around the shock bolt. Same for TR3-4-6. Your first picture is correct.
Charley

 

[jmcfly]

This is a very exhaustive and comprehensive discussion of the fulcrum pin orientation on TR4A cars and why the difference of opinion and in fact the position. Thanks for all the help.
Jamie
https://www.tr-register.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/17530-upper-fulcrum-pin-tr4a-front-suspension/

 

[KVH]

Here is my 63 TR4. I'm not sure if they are the same, but it seems you have the fulcrum correct, but the arms switched. My curved arm is in the front where it looks like yours is in the rear.

GHawk is right. His picture is correct. The first by jmcfly appears wrong.

 

[Foura]

It looks to me like you have the whole suspension wrongly assembled if it is a 4A. The long arm should be at the front and the short one to the rear. The front arm will then correctly show the "L" that is stamped on the other side. The ball joint should be lined up with the shock mounting hole, not well in front of it as in your photo. This will be the case when you put the arms on correctly. The way you have it also has the kingpin inclined forward rather than back, which will give some weird handling effects.

The upper fulcrum should be reversed also. This seems counterintuitive as it has the bend in it which went around the upper shock mount on all the TRs up to the 4. When Triumph fitted IRS to the cars, it changed the rear roll centre. They had to alter the position of the front roll centre to adjust the handling. They raised the lower pivot point mount from through to above the chassis. The brackets that they used are a well known failure point, and if you have not fitted the strengthening brackets (available from all the major TR suppliers) you should do so before you go any further. They also reversed the upper fulcrums to get the geometry that they wanted. Being Triumph, they used what they had rather than designing a new part.

Neil Remington had an article on his website about the fulcrum issue, but I can't find it at the moment.

Hope this helps.

 

[Foura]

Just found this site in between working for a living! Gives some good pictures that show how the suspension goes together.

https://www.scribd.com/doc/842185/Front-Suspension-Rebuild

 

[Popeye]

Jmcfly, for what it's worth, attached are photos of how mine was put together before dis-assembly (passenger side). Not to say it was put together correctly. It is opposite of the picture attached to your post. Also, I think (need to confirm) that my fulcrum was facing away from engine. It is a bit hard to tell which way the fulcrum is facing from the photo attached to your post.

(Mental note to self: It is impossible to take too many photos from all angles!)

 

[jmcfly]

Thanks all. Got it done.