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When I took the differential off (TR4) there were two shims under the axle housing beneath the foot that attaches to the leaf spring. They are about 1/8" thick each. Left side did not have them. Eyeballing the the right hand spring it seems to ride a little lower than the left when the differential is attached hence the shims I guess. I've never had the rear end off til now and when I got the car in '74 it was only 11 years old so I wouldn't think the po would have had a reason to drop it either..but of course who knows. Anyway, The leaf spring is not broken and no cracks and curvature is exactly the same when compared to the other spring when off the chassis. Since I never noticed anything suspicious about the way it drove or handled bumps way back when it was actually driven I refitted the rear end the way it was. Deep down I want to replace the spring but no guarantee I may end up with the exact same situation so for now I'm leaving well enough alone. However I'm still a little bugged by it. Has anyone discovered these shims on your car or used the shim method for whatever reason? Do you think it could have actually left the plant like that? The shims don't appear to be home made.
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TR4/4A shims under axle housing
- Thread starter Dash
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TR3driver
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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The shims were actually put there by the factory on later TR3/A and earlier TR4. Apparently there was a requirement in some 'stock' racing class that the car had to sit level, so the shims let it sit level with a driver on board. Discontinued at CT23383 for LHS cars according to the SPC, when the high arch spring was introduced. Oddly enough, discontinued at CT2829 for RHS.
The shims are considered part of the spring, but are the only difference between left & right. Should be a round head bolt that goes through both shims and all the spring leaves. The head of that bolt goes into a hole in the axle mounting bracket, to positively locate the axle to the spring.
If anyone has found good replacement springs, I'd like to hear about it. The ones I got from TRF were way too stiff and Albert tells me they haven't been able to find another supplier. I've heard similar stories about the ones from Moss. My plan is to try to get some made locally, but haven't done it yet. There used to be a spring shop just down the road from me, but evidently they're gone now.
The shims are considered part of the spring, but are the only difference between left & right. Should be a round head bolt that goes through both shims and all the spring leaves. The head of that bolt goes into a hole in the axle mounting bracket, to positively locate the axle to the spring.
If anyone has found good replacement springs, I'd like to hear about it. The ones I got from TRF were way too stiff and Albert tells me they haven't been able to find another supplier. I've heard similar stories about the ones from Moss. My plan is to try to get some made locally, but haven't done it yet. There used to be a spring shop just down the road from me, but evidently they're gone now.
In the past I've always referred to right and left as drivers side and passenger side which helps cut out confusion but on occasion when I use the term right and left I've always assumed it was as if sitting in the drivers seat instead of in front facing the engine. Have I been screwed up on that all theses years? Wouldn't surprise me, I get screwed up a lot..Anyway, to make sure we're talking about the same side, these shims were on the passenger side..so if they are to level the chassis with a driver on board, shouldn't they have been on the driver's side? (left side in my world) OR does the physics of this idea work in reverse of what I'm thinking?
Geo Hahn
Yoda
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Yes, a bit of the Bizarro World. Adding shims lowers a side.
The shims in effect raise the axle they are under which, since the axle is still going to sit level, makes the body sit lower.
At the root of the equation is the fact that the TR is underslung - the frame passes under the axle.
Ahh..of course, now I get it..thanks for nudging my brain..since the axle is on TOP of the frame, raising the axle on the pasenger side forces the driver's side frame higher when wheels are on the ground..I was trying to anylize the affect on the suspension rather than the consequence to the body itself..
I'll be totally insane by the time I'm done with this project but the sad part is I doubt anyone will be able to tell the difference.
I'll be totally insane by the time I'm done with this project but the sad part is I doubt anyone will be able to tell the difference.