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TR2/3/3A Installing Coil springs on a 3a
- Thread starter BillJoBob
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Just wanted to ask about the tightening sequence before/after the springs are installed. will it make a difference if the trunion lock washers are left loose before installing the spring? Or should everything be tight first? The reason I ask is because now one side of the suspension ( the tightened side) seems to sit lower than the other, only slightly, and the wheel seems to sit out at the top, maybe an inch, rather than straight up and down.
Thanks!
Thanks!
M_Pied_Lourd
Darth Vader
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Hi Bill,
I am sure the others will jump in but I will tell you what I did. I assembled mine not tight, but not loose either as I tend to assemble, get it back together and on the ground with some weight on the suspension before I torque them to what the manuals specify.
With regards to the height difference, are you sure that you got both springs seated properly with the spacers in the tops of the suspension turrets?
Cheers,
M. Pied Lourd
I am sure the others will jump in but I will tell you what I did. I assembled mine not tight, but not loose either as I tend to assemble, get it back together and on the ground with some weight on the suspension before I torque them to what the manuals specify.
With regards to the height difference, are you sure that you got both springs seated properly with the spacers in the tops of the suspension turrets?
Cheers,
M. Pied Lourd
Don Elliott
Obi Wan
Offline
My 1958 TR3A had different heights between the top of the tires and the curved arch of the fenders for 20 years. No judge ever commented on this. When you think about it, a judge (or judges) will study one side of the car, then go to the other side. They don't think to remember what the saw on the first side. But, thanks to Dave, who sent me his spare set of aluminium spacers from his spares car - the ones that go on top, and with the help of my neighbour and his TIG welder, we added about 5/8" to one spacer and now the car is level across the front. Thanks Dave.
Don Elliott
Obi Wan
Offline
As for trying to compress the coil springs using the rafters, I know a chap in England who did this and all he did was to lift the roof right off his garage. You were lucky it worked properly.
I also know a chap in Scotland who was in the same situation and he loaded 450 pounds of patio tiles into the empty engine bay so he could compress the springs during re-assembly. It worked.
I also know a chap in Scotland who was in the same situation and he loaded 450 pounds of patio tiles into the empty engine bay so he could compress the springs during re-assembly. It worked.
M_Pied_Lourd
Darth Vader
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My Pleasure Don,
Cheers,
Dave
Cheers,
Dave
Hello Gents,
Just noticed that the new ball joint that was installed recently is about 1/8 to 3/16 longer on the mount length where attaches to the arms. Are these new ball joints supposed to be longer than the originals? wont this alter the camber significantly? I ordered them from TRF and expected the right parts but maybe they are for another model. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!
Just noticed that the new ball joint that was installed recently is about 1/8 to 3/16 longer on the mount length where attaches to the arms. Are these new ball joints supposed to be longer than the originals? wont this alter the camber significantly? I ordered them from TRF and expected the right parts but maybe they are for another model. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!
martx-5
Yoda
Offline
We went through something like this with one of the guys in the club. Very early TR4 that has the same upper control arms as the TR3. There was some problem with the shoulder and it gave the the front end too much positive camber. He got the ball joints from flea bay, so this experience might not apply to your situation. Anyway, he got a new set from Moss and all is OK now. There are some great buys on e-bay, but you have to be real careful about what you're buying. I would be surprised if TRF sold the wrong joints, but I guess anything is possible. Maybe they came from the same batch as the flea bay guy was selling.