TR2/3/3A TR3 Front Springs

[fad64b]

As I understand, the front suspension springs can affect camber. So it makes good sense that if I am going to do a complete front end rebuild that 50 year old springs have got to go. Does anyone have any experience with this? Which vendor will be more likely to sell spring most like the original to get the correct ride height. Apparently I can go with an 11" spring and no spacer or the 9.75" and use the spacer.

 

[Don Elliott]

I still have the original 50 year old springs on the front of my TR3A. They have about 180,000 miles on them and I don't see any need to change them - in my case. I drive about 6,000 to 8,000 miles per summer.

Don Elliott, Original Owner, 1958 TR3A

 

[PeterK]

Sounds right to me. When I did my front-end, my springs seemed fine but I did uprate the shocks to Konis. Konis are set one click up from full soft setting.

 

[2wrench]

Sounds right to me. When I did my front-end, my springs seemed fine but I did uprate the shocks to Konis. Konis are set one click up from full soft setting.

Peter: Is that one click up front and rear or are they set differently?

 

[Banjo]

Sounds right to me. When I did my front-end, my springs seemed fine but I did uprate the shocks to Konis. Konis are set one click up from full soft setting.

Peter: Is that one click up front and rear or are they set differently?

I don't think Koni makes adjustable lever-type shocks for the rear. I'm pretty sure he is just referring to the front tube-type shocks. (then again I could be wrong)
You can play with the dampening effect in the rear by changing the type of oil in them.

 

[TR3driver]

I still have the original 50 year old springs on the front of my TR3A. They have about 180,000 miles on them and I don't see any need to change them

But evidence would seem to suggest that the much softer coil springs used on later Triumphs don't hold up as well.

Also, front springs on a TR3 have a fairly minimal effect on camber. Not nearly as dramatic as the rear springs on the IRS TRs, due to the double A-arm construction instead of semi-trailing arms. Furthermore, a little sag actually moves the camber in the right direction IMO; the car actually handles better with camber a little negative (but of course sagging springs wouldn't lose that much). Most racers modify the front suspension to move camber more negative.

 

[vivdownunder]

Frank,

I suggest it's really best to keep it as original as possible, because as soon as you change something on a punt that it will improve things, then there's the next mod and the next etc.
As an option to raise the car, an auto spring works can reset your original springs, back or front, for usually well under half the cost of a new pair. Just ring a spring shop and ask if they will accept a dimension that you want to raise the car by. I have had many coil and leaf springs reset this way.

Cheers,

Viv