TR2/3/3A TR2/3 Lower Suspension Pivots

[CJD]

I have forgotten. These pics are of the front suspension lower arm inner pivots on the frame. What I can't remember is, am I looking at a bushing on the post, or is that just the post?

Thanks...

(Oh, I know the rubber bushing is removable...asking about the stud under the rubber)

 

[TR3driver]

My guess is "no". Later cars had nylon bushings with steel sleeves inside them; but the early cars used only rubber bushings with no sleeves. And the threaded portion was smaller than the pin, so that the end plate had a definite stop when you tightened the nut.

But if you want to be more certain, measure the diameter and I'll compare it to a sleeve when I get home tonight.

PS, the nylon/steel setup will fit, and was a recommended upgrade to the early cars. The steel sleeve will also cover up all that corrosion, as long as it isn't enough to weaken the pin.

 

[CJD]

Thanks Randall...

That explains why I remembered a metal sleeve on the TR3A, but didn't see one here. The pivot pins are worn a bit out of round. I'm definitely not worried about them breaking...just slop. Have you ever tried driving them out to replace them? They look like they're in tighter than the front leaf spring pins, so may be a venture destined to failure.

 

[TR3driver]

No, I didn't even realize they were supposed to come out! I thought there was a weld bead down there somewhere.

 

[CJD]

You're right! I thought I had seen the pins available, but just looked at TRF and Moss and don't see them. Guess that explains why the later design uses a metal sleeve...to compensate for wear on the pins.

Thanks again...

 

[TR3driver]

TRF has them listed (I think) as PN 106196 @ $39.95 each.

 

[vivdownunder]

It's quite a big job to replace the pins and with the later type metal sleeve/nylon bush suspension, it doesn't matter if the pin surface isn't perfect. The sleeve doesn't rotate on the pin, in fact it must be held really tight by the big end nut or it wears undersize and causes an unholy clatter like someone banging the frame with a hammer (the suspension operates by the nylon bush rotating on the outer surface of the sleeve). It's an idea to use a squirt of PTFE spray between the sleeve and nylon bush to prevent annoying squeaks. PTFE is more water resistant than WD40 or silicone spray.

Before assembling the suspension, it's worthwhile to check that the pins are parallel side to side, or directional stability is compromised. Accident repairs to the front of the frame can sometimes be left wanting.

Viv

 

[TR3driver]

Guess that explains why the later design uses a metal sleeve...to compensate for wear on the pins.

Kind of. With the early setup, the pin shouldn't wear, as the rubber deforms rather than move against the pin. But the nylon bushings turn against the pin, and so the sleeve provides a replaceable wear surface.

Not sure if it was a good idea or not, but I actually added grease zerks to mine. After 10 years and some 100,000 miles, they still looked like new ... I actually reused the bushings when moving parts from the wrecked 3A to the current 3 (although at least partially because BFE didn't have new Nylatron bushings in stock).

If you look close, you can see one of the extra zerks peeking out from under the inner tie rod end:

 

[CJD]

Thanks Viv...that makes sense. I will check the pins for parallel, especially since the left side was hit hard enough to bend the upper arms.

Randall, sounds like a good idea with the extra zerks. When I installed those sleeves on the '3 I thought it was strange there was no way to lube them. I don't know how the pins got worn eccentric...But I suspect the car was previously driven for a while after the first rubber bushings disentigrated.

 

[jamie.lawson]

By looking at the state of this suspension component, it seems to be quite in a shoddy state. You could consider refurbishing it but that may come at premium. A friend of mine also had a similar situation with his car and he had ordered some really good quality spares from a site at much lesser than half of what would have cost new. You might get what you are looking for on [Deleted] and many other classic and vintage models of the Triumph.