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So I am putting together this rolling frame to help assemble the body tub and I am having trouble getting the U bolts on the shock plate. What I usually do is hook the leaf spring on both ends and jack the spring into the shock plate and then put the U bolts on, but now I am thinking it might be easier to bolt the leaf spring with the U bolts to the shock plat and then hook up the leaf spring shackle latter. How do others hook up the big U bolts?
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TR2/3/3A U bolts on the shock plate
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TR3driver
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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I usually do the ends first as you said; but I've always had the body on. Most recently, I found that even the body wasn't enough to compress the new spring; turns out the new spring was way stiffer than stock. I did finally do it your second way, but it sure wasn't easy and the result was that the axle sat on the frame all the time. Horrible ride and awful handling to go with it!
Haven't figured out what to do yet, thinking about taking a leaf out of the spring. Anyone know of a source of rear springs that give the correct ride height (and aren't a lot stiffer than original) ?
PS, if I did have the body off, I might try temporarily adding some weight on top of the frame. A 5 gallon bucket full of water makes a pretty good weight, if you don't let it spill. Or a spare engine block, if you've got one lying around
Haven't figured out what to do yet, thinking about taking a leaf out of the spring. Anyone know of a source of rear springs that give the correct ride height (and aren't a lot stiffer than original) ?
PS, if I did have the body off, I might try temporarily adding some weight on top of the frame. A 5 gallon bucket full of water makes a pretty good weight, if you don't let it spill. Or a spare engine block, if you've got one lying around
charleyf
Luke Skywalker
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I have found that putting the two spring ends on first is easier. On a TR4 I have left the rear shackle until last. NOT EASY. I do not think that you can do it on a TR3 as the room is less to work in.
I am guessing that 5 gallons of water is not nearly enough but the TR engine might be about right. I recall having one person sitting on the frame and recall that he was not enough to hold the frame down.
Randall,
A few years ago I was having some trouble with the fit of a new set of rear springs. I contacted TRF and after some discussion they sent me another set of springs. It turned out that nobody was paying much attention to how closely the new springs were matching the original specs. The manufacturer had supplied what he had available that were close. In most cases they likely fit. But for some reason I had a real problem on my car. I can not vouch that TRF changed what they were carrying, but at least at that time they were aware that what they were selling was not the same spec as original.
Charley
I am guessing that 5 gallons of water is not nearly enough but the TR engine might be about right. I recall having one person sitting on the frame and recall that he was not enough to hold the frame down.
Randall,
A few years ago I was having some trouble with the fit of a new set of rear springs. I contacted TRF and after some discussion they sent me another set of springs. It turned out that nobody was paying much attention to how closely the new springs were matching the original specs. The manufacturer had supplied what he had available that were close. In most cases they likely fit. But for some reason I had a real problem on my car. I can not vouch that TRF changed what they were carrying, but at least at that time they were aware that what they were selling was not the same spec as original.
Charley
TR3driver
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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In all fairness, they (TRF) did warn me that their old spring supplier was no longer available, and that I would be getting the first springs from a new source. They actually seemed OK at first, the free height was only very slightly taller than my old ones (which were badly sagged) and I foolishly didn't make any serious attempt at measuring spring rate. I just expected that they would also be somewhat stiffer and of course they were. So I initially told Albert they were OK, and went ahead with putting UHMW between the leaves. After modifying them of course, there was no question of returning them.
I should give TRF a call, and see if they have found any better source. In the meantime, I made up a longer shackle which lets me use the stiffer spring. I was thinking that maybe stiffer springs wouldn't be so bad, but the ride is more than I can handle.
The stock spring rate is given as 128 lb/inch, and I only needed another 3/16" or so to be able to start the nuts onto the U-bolts. Might take two buckets, but 40 lb of water should get you pretty close, I think. YMMV of course.
Another route might be to lay some blocks and a length of 2x4 on top of the frame, then wrap a pair of those cheap strap binders around the 2x4 and the spring on each side. That should be able to pull the spring up at least a little, and hopefully you don't need too much.