TR2/3/3A TR3 Trunnion needed

[PeterK]

Anybody got a spare or two they want to sell?

Email kentech0822 AT verizon DOT net before I buy online.


Thanks.


PeterK

 

[Tinkerman]

Hi Peter:

I see them from time to time on Ebay. You might try looking there.

After you get some they have to be reamed correctly and it really is a job for a machine shop, a good one! While your at it you should replace the spindles or at least look very close at yours for wear.

Good Luck, Tinkerman

 

[PeterK]

Thanks for the tips.

I know that after I press in the bushing into the lower control arm, I need to have them reamed to fit the trunnion. Other that that, I do all the work myself. If I had a set of straight reamers, I'd do that too.

I was just planning on doing the steering and pulled one side apart to check the lower fulcrums (need replacing) and then the trunnions. It looks like the grease zerks have been clogged for a while and the grease never got in there.

So what started as a $120 job for the suspension kits, now just added $150 for two trunnions. It's all taken apart, old bushings pressed out, degreased and ready for the parts to come in next week.

My lesson learned is to remove the zerk fittings and cleam them out. Times I pumped grease in, it was being blocked by grit and never got there. Makes me shudder the times I was pushing 100mph thinking all was fine in the front end.

Vertical links look fine btw.

 

[martx-5]

I have a set of adjustable reamers that I use to do that bushing job. They are available individually at a modest price. IIRC, the nominal size on that bushing is 5/8". That would require the 19/32"-21/32" reamer for less then $15. The nice thing about the adjustable, is that you can get a nice precise fit even if the trunion size is a bit off.

 

[mcguijo]

I have the two (brass) lower trunnions that I pulled off my '59. They are original so obviously have the wear of a 45 + y.o. car. I replaced them because there was some "wiggle" between them and the threaded shaft of the vertical link. The actual shafts on the trunnions (where the lower wishbones slide on) are pitted but do not appear to be wallowed out. If still interested, send me a p.m. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

 

[PeterK]

I have a set of adjustable reamers that I use to do that bushing job.

Art,

Thanks for the link. The bushings I pressed out are a split bush. Were your replacement bushings split? I don't have the new ones yet (Moss) but from your experience, how do the adjustable reamers work on the split bushings.

PK

 

[PeterK]

I also found an interesting thing when I degreased the lower control arms:

On the outboard (trunnion) end of the arms, the aft arm has yellow paint on it and the fore end has green paint brushed on it. The arms are bare, never painted as is everything (bare, unpainted) on the front suspension, except for the upper arms, spring pan, and coil spring.

This car never ceases to amaze me as I rebuild it because much of the original finish is untouched, under the layers and layers of oil. Even the nuts remove easily and are not rusted on. The oil has preserved it well and I'm thinking of spraying fogging oil all over the parts after I restore them.

 

[martx-5]

I have a set of adjustable reamers that I use to do that bushing job.

Art,

Thanks for the link. The bushings I pressed out are a split bush. Were your replacement bushings split? I don't have the new ones yet (Moss) but from your experience, how do the adjustable reamers work on the split bushings.

PK

To tell you the truth, I don't remember if the bushings I took out were split or not. IIRC, the replacements (from TRF in their kit) weren't. Either way, it shouldn't be a problem reaming the bushing with the adjustable. Just take it in several stages until the trunnion just slides in easy.

 

[TR4nut]

I'm pretty sure all the bushings you get now are split. I didn't use an adjustable, but instead used a fixed 5/8" reamer and did not have a problem with the split bushing. Final fit though was good but not perfect with a little bit of detectable play. I think with a little patience the adjustable reamer is the way to go as Art did.

Randy

 

[PeterK]

Thanks guys. I ordered an adjustable C size 19/32-21/32 reamer.

I also ordered a new set of Trunnions. My threads are tight but the shafts are pretty buggerd up on the top side. I spend the day powdercoating and finishing the pieces to get everything ready for the install.

PK