TR2/3/3A TR3A front sway bar pics

[Number_6]

I'm thinking of installing the Addco front sway bar on my TR3. I was checking it out on the Summit racing site. I can't see how it is installed. the PDF that they have of the installation instructions isn't really very clear. Has anybody installed this kit on their TR3A and have pics of it installed that they could post? I'd like to see them. Or if any one has info and pics of other sway bar kits installed on their TR3 I'd like to see them also, I'm wondering how difficult they may be to install.

Addco TR3A Front Sway bar Kit

 

[Stig]

Does this help? I have more pix.

 

[Stig]

Here is where it attaches to the lower control arm.

 

[TR3driver]

It's really pretty easy, I did mine with the body all assembled. Hardest part was marking and drilling the 4 holes in the frame extensions, and even that was pretty easy. Sorry I have no idea what I did with the instruction sheet ... but ISTR it was a lot clearer than what Summit shows. Roughly :

Thread the mounting brackets & bushings onto the bar.

Support the front tires on ramps or stands, to get room to work but keep the front suspension near normal ride height. Remove the center bolt from each of the front lower A-arms. Loosely install the brackets to the A-arms, end links and sway bar as shown in the Summit diagram.

Eventually, I turned the end link bolts upside down to the way shown in the instructions, so the exposed threads didn't get beat up so much by rocks from the road.

Now lift the bar up and position it to get the end links as near vertical as possible. Transfer the hole locations from the center brackets to the frame extensions, centering them from side to side on the extension. Center punch and drill the holes.

Now bolt the brackets to the frame extensions, tighten up all the bolts & nuts, take the car off the ramps & go for a ride.

 

[PeterK]

A little fuzzy but shows that the attachment to the frame extension/bumper brackets occurs at the apex.

 

[tdskip]

Guys - those are some seriously good looking TR3. Wow!

 

[Number_6]

Guys - those are some seriously good looking TR3. Wow!

I agree, those are very nice looking TRs! Thanks for the pics, along with the description of how to install the sway bar; it makes it a lot clearer. Has adding the sway bar to your TR’s improved the handling on the cars?

Also, has anybody had any problem with the adapter plate that attaches the drop link to the A-Arm? It looks kind of thin in the pics. Like it may have a tendancy to bend over time.

I’m thinking that next winter, I may cleanup and repaint my front suspension and replace the bushings, etc, on my TR3.

 

[Twosheds]

Has adding the sway bar to your TR’s improved the handling on the cars?

I had the ADDCO 7/8 sway bar on the old TR3 racecar.

By increasing the front roll stiffness, it helps keep the inside rear tire from lifting and spinning when accelerating out of hard corners.

 

[karls59tr]

I installed my sway bar the way Bob Shaller did in his book "More BS about TR's". Maybe someone can email you a pic from the book. Two 1" square metal tubes are welded between the bumper brackets and the sway bar is bolted to them. Very solid that way. Karl

 

[TR3driver]

Has adding the sway bar to your TR’s improved the handling on the cars?

In combination with other things, YES.

My local club takes a run through the mountains every year. Beautiful scenery, but kind of a twisty road (it's called the Drive on the Edge). One year I happened to follow a TR3 that was beautifully restored, 'correct' right down to the reproduction tires. He was white-knuckled, having a terrible time keeping up; while I was driving along with one hand wishing they'd go faster !

ISTR that was still on 185 tires (and sway bars front & rear). Now that I've moved up to 205/55 (on TR6 rims), I need a stiffer bar up front.