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Drove the project to work today!
- Thread starter Moseso
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Number_6
Jedi Warrior
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I have the same issue with my steering right now, I had Erik put nylon bushings from RevingtonTR in my steering. I've read that the stiffness with the felt bushings is common at first but the steering will loosen up after a short while as the new felt bushings get worked in.Moseso said:
prb51
Luke Skywalker
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Truthfully the only TR3 I've driven is my own so have no idea what the 'feel' should be.
Mine's 'stiff' but with radial tires who knows. When up on blocks the steering is very light but with load not so. Could be a worn box or I could go to all of the hassle and have the same issue.
Someone on this site once said his rebuilt box was almost as light as a rack/pinion.
How's one to tell?
Mine's 'stiff' but with radial tires who knows. When up on blocks the steering is very light but with load not so. Could be a worn box or I could go to all of the hassle and have the same issue.
Someone on this site once said his rebuilt box was almost as light as a rack/pinion.
How's one to tell?
TR3driver
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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Well, I was the guy who posted that my TR3A steering is (was) almost as good as R&P, and it was (until that Toyota parked in my trunk). And that's with wide, sticky steel radial tires (205/55-15 on 5.5" rims). On the freeway, I routinely drive with just left thumb and forefinger; at lower speeds I generally use one full hand. Both hands only for tight parallel parking. Not showing off, just trying to give you a feel (pun intended) for what it's like. I should add that I was totally amazed that it worked that well, after all those years of being told that it _should_ drive like a truck.
It's true that the TR2-early TR4 caster angle is 0; but they have plenty of camber which also supplies centering force.
If the felt is that stiff, I'd probably take a Dremel or something to it. It's quite possible that vendors are supplying oversize felts, but it shouldn't normally be noticeably stiff even when new, IMO. I assume you also smeared some good grease where the lower bearing rides on the upper shaft, and upper bearing on the lower shaft.
As I've mentioned before, I believe careful adjustment of the steering box is one of the key elements. Column alignment is important too, of course, and don't forget that the box itself moves in two dimensions to align with the rest of the column.
I also upgraded to the brass/SS replacements for the silentblocs, which may have helped. And I feel the full synthetic gear oil in the steering box also helped.
On the rear carb, you don't need to remove the carb in order to R&R the jet. Just undo the linkage and pull the jet straight down. I recommend polishing the jet until it shines, which will help a lot with stiffness (and seal life). The O-rings from Moss actually seemed to offer more resistance on my car, so I don't think that will help (although I loved how much longer they last than the cork does).
If polishing doesn't work, I would suggest replacing BOTH springs. It's very common for people to try to stretch the spring inside the jet, to get the cork to stop leaking, which of course also makes the jet harder to move. And the return springs seem to get weak over time as well. Of course the linkage should be sloppy loose at every joint.
It's true that the TR2-early TR4 caster angle is 0; but they have plenty of camber which also supplies centering force.
If the felt is that stiff, I'd probably take a Dremel or something to it. It's quite possible that vendors are supplying oversize felts, but it shouldn't normally be noticeably stiff even when new, IMO. I assume you also smeared some good grease where the lower bearing rides on the upper shaft, and upper bearing on the lower shaft.
As I've mentioned before, I believe careful adjustment of the steering box is one of the key elements. Column alignment is important too, of course, and don't forget that the box itself moves in two dimensions to align with the rest of the column.
I also upgraded to the brass/SS replacements for the silentblocs, which may have helped. And I feel the full synthetic gear oil in the steering box also helped.
On the rear carb, you don't need to remove the carb in order to R&R the jet. Just undo the linkage and pull the jet straight down. I recommend polishing the jet until it shines, which will help a lot with stiffness (and seal life). The O-rings from Moss actually seemed to offer more resistance on my car, so I don't think that will help (although I loved how much longer they last than the cork does).
If polishing doesn't work, I would suggest replacing BOTH springs. It's very common for people to try to stretch the spring inside the jet, to get the cork to stop leaking, which of course also makes the jet harder to move. And the return springs seem to get weak over time as well. Of course the linkage should be sloppy loose at every joint.
OP
Moseso
Jedi Knight
Offline
Here's one for Tinster: First breakdown today! A small puddle of brake fluid at the left rear wheel. So I pulled the cylinder, cleaned everything up and threw a new seal kit in it. There was crud in it, so I guess I didn't clean out the brake lines as thoroughly as I thought I had. Today, I bled 'em all extra long, til the fluid looked nice and clear -- and while I was at it, I did find the bubble in the works that was making my pedal low.
Then I drove over to my buddy's house in St. Paul -- the one who loaned me his mics for measuring the engine parts. Gave him his mics back and put another 50 miles on the motor break-in.
Wheeeeee!
Steering is better today, though not the feather-touch TR that Randall once had. It's good enough. I'll just remember to steer out of turns as well as in to 'em.
Couldn't be happier......
Then I drove over to my buddy's house in St. Paul -- the one who loaned me his mics for measuring the engine parts. Gave him his mics back and put another 50 miles on the motor break-in.
Wheeeeee!
Steering is better today, though not the feather-touch TR that Randall once had. It's good enough. I'll just remember to steer out of turns as well as in to 'em.
Couldn't be happier......