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TR2/3/3A TR3A wheel alignment

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T

TFR

Jedi Trainee
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Having some issue with the tires wearing out on the inside on both sides. Does anyone know what can be done to help correct this problem. Have brand new parts through out the suspension so I know it isn't a wear problem.
I can't see any adjustment that is obvious and the manuals I have don't mention any alignment instructions except tow in and out.
I'm not familiar with wheel alignment so I don't know if it's called cast or camber...
Any help or direction would be appreciated.
 
Hey Larry -

The only adjustment is for toe-in/out. Think pigeon-toed (toe-in).

Camber would wear the tires on the inside (negative). Here's an article from one of our sponsoring vendors:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=4

Check to make sure wheel bearings are properly tightened. Otherwise, you may have some components that are either bent or incorrectly installed.

Not much help here - maybe someone else has better info.

Mickey
 
Take it to an alignment shop, have them measure the alignment. Caster, camber and toe-in. No adjustment for caster & camber; so if they are wrong, you have a worn, bent or damaged component (like perhaps the frame or it's mount points for the suspension). Incorrect installation is a possibility too; for example installing the upper pivot backwards will change camber while overlapping the upper arms wrong will change both camber & caster.
 
You many need to adjust the tie rods to set the toe in and out. I had the same thing on my TR3 when I got it back on the road. I had changed all the ball joint, bushings and other parts related to steering and supension. I had one tire the was wearing on the inside. When I lined up the left wheel when it looked straight the RH was turn a little the left. After adjusting so the wheel looked straight my tires have no uneven wear on the sides.

Don
 
Guys,

When installing the upper pivot I didn't pay attention to which side they fit. I just removed them thinking I would rebuild them. I assumed the pivots were not side specific. If they are how would I know which goes to which side?
As for worn parts there are none. The frame is not the problem either.
Don't know how to tell which of the upper arms is supposed to be in or out.

Any pictures or reference material would be appreciated. Here's my email address TFRACING1@YAHOO.COM send it to me.
 
The upper pivots are the same from side to side, but can be installed backwards. Check your factory service manual, or Bentley reprint.
 
Randall... thanks for your help. I can see where the pivot could be off center. I will check and make sure they are installed correctly.
I have ordered a rack and pinion system from the UK and when it arrives I will change them if they are wrong.
If you have any more print outs from the manuals send them along. I don't have any manuals.
I do have the "how to restore a TR3" but it doesn't show the suspension.
 
Randall, I looked under the fender and discovered that the two upper pivot mounts can not be installed backwards. The pivot bow has to be behind the shock top mount. Now I haven't removed one to see if it will clear from the other side but it seems like it wouldn't clear.
As for the link I can not get it to load. It times out.
Will try again to see if I can make my computer wait longer.
Thanks again
 
Does anyone have a quick and easy way to measure the limits of the wheels when steering? I think it is 33 degrees one direction and something else for the other. I've rebuilt all my components, including trunions, but haven't set the limit cam. What are the dangers of incorrect settings?
Dave
 
For you guys who recently rebuilt the front end:

Did you get one of those "Magic Kits" from TRF? It appears just about everything is there or did you have issues?

What did you use for springs? Stock or something else?

Gordo
 
Bought mine piece by piece and I used stock springs.

Installing a rack and pinion next week so I'll have a better look at the suspension.
 
fogdot said:
What are the dangers of incorrect settings?
Click to expand...
As I see it, the only important thing is that the suspension hits the stops first, before anything else hits (like the steering box reaches the end of it's travel).

I used to run my stops set as wide as they would go, and never seemed to have any problems with that. But eventually I put on tires that were so wide they would rub heavily on the sway (anti-roll) bar, so I adjusted the stops until the tires just barely touched the bar.
 
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