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TR2/3/3A Control Head [TR3] Rebuild

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dspeed

Freshman Member
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During the frame-off rebuild of my 1955 TR3, I have determined that the control head has problems: the steel tube is seperated, and the bakelite inner piece has turned to pieces.

What are my choices here?

Both Moss and TRF offer new (?) units, with one significantly higher in price than the other. Is this an indication of quality?

Wasn't TRF was offering rebuilding services through their C.A.R.S. unit a couple of years ago? Does anybody have experience with this? I have to re-paint the steering wheel anyhow, so re-painting my own to match sounds good.

Does anybody sell parts? I see the complexity of the piece, but I have pretty much everything except the Bakelite (incl new wiring harness) and have the capacity to weld / braze the tube.

Dave
 
I don't know which vendor is the more expensive, but I got mine from Moss years ago when they first offered them and it looks as original and works fine.

Your only hope for parts AFAIK is a old unit that has good bakelite, I have never seen parts (new or used) on offer.

Rebuilding is not difficult if you are simply taking all the bits apart, cleaning, reassembling & adjusting. A bit of a puzzle and dexterity challange rather than anything requiring specialized tools, skills or knowledge.

The stator tube is another matter. When you say that it is 'separated' do you just mean the control head is pulled off of it (normal part of disassembly) or is it actually damaged?

I had heard that RealeyHealey had them new to fit the TRs but I just looked at their website and they're no more:

https://www.realeyhealey.com/

I got a replacement from the Roth Brothers and again, your best hope may be the used parts route unless someone has another source for new.

Some may have used 3/8" rigid copper tubing to make one but the walls on that are probably not as thin as the steel version so I am not sure how well that works. In any case... know that there is a difference between stator tubes for adjustable columns and fixed columns. The slot the control head engages is much longer on the adjustable stator.
 
Thanks, Geo

The tube isn't a lot of problem to me - a little MIG work and she'll be good as new.

My mentor advises me that either vendor has decent quality and that the part I need is not available, so ist just $$$.

Thanks!

Dave
 
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