TR4/4A suspension 4a irs questions

[sail]

my rear end seems a little soft. the tr's, ok. since the drive train is coming out here we go, thinking to change out springs and shocks. 165 80 15 kuhmo on 60 spokes. pretty much stock. i've seen some on 6's but not much on 4a. understand they are similiar up to 71 but wonder how much should be interchanged?
planning to do urethane bushes
springs: roadster factory and moss have "heavy duty" standard height
also 1" lower heavy there, at standard and goodparts
shocks: was planning to get levers rebuilt and $50 range gas for front. ok with heavy springs? or do i even want heavy springs?
or $ koni's all around with adjustable trailing arms, that much better?
your thoughts appreciated

 

[RonMacPherson]

If the springs have settled where you are exhibiting negative camber, the wheels tilt in at the top with someone in the car. Then it is time for new ones.

I prefer Colin Chapmans theory of spring/suspension design. He said to always go with the softest spring possible and increase the valving in the shock absorber, slightly more rebound than compression....

He knew quite a bit about suspension design.

 

[Tomster]

Had the springs updated as well as all suspension points redone two years ago love the ride and the grip I now have. Still have leaking leaver shocks which I would like to get re honed (?) at a hydralics shop or rebuilt here this winter.

 

[billspohn]

1 - factory springs were significantly too soft on stock IRS cars, so with all due respect to Chapman, I would try out the stiffer rear springs. Just be glad they offer stock height - on the MGs they get stiffer springs by the simple (and for the producer, cheap) method of simply making a shorter spring. Same wire diameter, fewer coils = stiffer, but not much good for those of us that only wanted stiff, not lower.

2 - there is nothing at all wrong with the Armstrong shocks, but there are very few shops that can rebuild them so that they don't leak later on. World Wide has the best rep, Apple not so much, your friendly local mechanic that says they can do it - definite crapshoot.

 

[Tinster]

It is my understanding the Lever shocks have a tiny
weep hole that permits small amounts of oil to escape
to cleanse away fine grit at the arm to body junction.

This action is why the shocks have fill holes on top.

But then, I ain't no mechanic so maybe the fill hole
concept is totally wrong.

d

 

[sail]

with the advice above and looking again i think roadster factory already figured out what i want for springs: https://www.zeni.net/trf/specials5.26/8.php
saw front shocks in the same sale and will send the rears in.

tinster: "But then, I ain't no mechanic"

been to a better one lately?

heres a photo in thanks for the tips: