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TR2/3/3A Question on assembly of front suspension

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Chuck Murphy

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I have a question about the assembly of the upper wishbone arms on the front suspension of a 1957 TR3. From the Bently manual "With the ball (joint) pin assembly toward the operator the wishbone flange on the right overlaps the one on the left. This applies to both left and right suspension units". Unfortunatly I assembled it wrong on the left side of my car, and I will need to go back and reassemble it correctly. BUT, can someone explain how my incorrect assemble affects steering?? I do not understand how it affects steering.
Chuck
 
The two arms are not quite the same length, the right arm (as you look towards the pivot) is slightly longer. If you assemble them wrong, it forces them into an angle relative to the pin. The hole for the ball joint moves slightly to the left. Which, at least in theory, will affect the caster angle and shorten the life of the bushings. The slight change in caster (one side positive, the other side negative) would be the effect on steering. I don't know what difference you'd notice, if any. But it sure is a PITA having to change those bushings every few years, so I wouldn't want to do anything that shortens their life even more. I doubt the change in caster would affect the trunnion much, but it will also be forced to work at a slight angle and may even bind (which would make the steering heavier).
 
Randall,
Thanks for your quick answer. I am an engineer but still have troulbe figuring out the front suspension. Thanks again. Chuck
 
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