TR2/3/3A Question about bushing on the upper suspension....

[denismoi]

Hi! I plan to replace the bushings on the upper suspension tables of my TR3A 1959 soon. Is it difficult for a DIY beginner and does it necessitate special tools?

 

[Graham H]

Nice car, no it's not difficult and no special tools are required but by the looks of your bushes they look fine. That perished rubber does not affect the bushes so unless they are loose and rattling I would leave them, new ones will look like that after a short time anyway.

Graham

 

[mctriumph]

It is mostly about polishing off the rust on the upper pivot shaft .Hard to remove it as the nuts are not
captured, so emery cloth and patience. By the looks of things it wont need much, just use the urethane
up grade and lube the pivot, fresh split pins. Done.
Mad dog

 

[denismoi]

Nice car, no it's not difficult and no special tools are required but by the looks of your bushes they look fine. That perished rubber does not affect the bushes so unless they are loose and rattling I would leave them, new ones will look like that after a short time anyway.

Graham

Thank you Graham for the reply. I bought the car in Pennsylvania and it had to pass the canadian government inspection.... it was blocked because they said the upper table suspension bushings had to be replaced on both sides. They said they were loose and rattling. So, I have no choice. Can I just unscrew the two bolts at the end of the fork, remove the screws and the bushings and put the new one in, or do I have to remove the whole table to replace the bushings?

 

[denismoi]

It is mostly about polishing off the rust on the upper pivot shaft .Hard to remove it as the nuts are not
captured, so emery cloth and patience. By the looks of things it wont need much, just use the urethane
up grade and lube the pivot, fresh split pins. Done.
Mad dog

Thank you. I will let you know how it goes.....

 

[Graham H]

You need to remove the upper ball joint to get the forks off, just make sure you note which way they overlap each other so they go back the same way. When you get the ball joint and spacer out you will see what I mean, have fun

Graham

 

[Popeye]

Does replacing these not need a spring compressor? (i.e. a special tool)

 

[CJD]

They are cracked. You could get more mileage out of them, but they are shot.

If you jack under the lower arm, you will not need a compressor. If you plan to do anything to the lower arm, then you will need a spring compressor.

 

[sp53]

Undoing the ball joint and you will has access to the upper arms and bushings. You might want to get the washers the rubber bushing rubs on when order your parts and perhaps some ball joints.

There are a couple of tools for balls joint seperation. The tool with the bolt that separates the ball joint looks like the easiest to use, but I have never tried it. I still use a pickle fork. Yes use the floor jack so the spring stays a little compressed.

Steve

 

[denismoi]

Undoing the ball joint and you will has access to the upper arms and bushings. You might want to get the washers the rubber bushing rubs on when order your parts and perhaps some ball joints.

There are a couple of tools for balls joint seperation. The tool with the bolt that separates the ball joint looks like the easiest to use, but I have never tried it. I still use a pickle fork. Yes use the floor jack so the spring stays a little compressed.

Steve

Thanks Steve. I will let you how it goes.

 

[bobhustead]

You will not need a any special tool for the upper ball joint. When you remove the nut in the apex of the control arm, the threaded portion will come out easily. Anything can be used to support the lower control arm. The rubber bushngs are all there is, no shell, etc. Use grease, not antiseize, on the surfaces the bushing wears on. Antiseize will be abrasive here. Very easy job.
Bob

 

[denismoi]

Nice. Very encouraging and good tips. I should get the bushings monday or tuesday and will let you know how it goes.

 

[mctriumph]

If you get the OE bushings they can NOT be greased with petroleum based lube.Good synthetic
grease only.(Amyloid is the best). The poly bushes will tolerate anything.....
As long as your are all dirty , do the wheel bearings too(again Amyloid exceeds anything here too)
Mad dog

 

[CJD]

And...do not tighten the bushing bolts and washers until you have lowered the car and it is sitting on its own weight. That allows the rubber to set in the normal ride position.