TR4/4A Under the been there - done that school of learning: TR6 rear springs on a TR4a

[tdskip]

Hi guys - hope everyone has had a good summer.

I thought I'd pass along some lessons learned from putting TR6 springs on my '67 TR4a IRA. I did this and am not a fan - the idea was to stiffen up the rear suspension but it worked too well. The TR6 springs have made the car bouncy and I think actual detracted from the handling and certainly day-to-day driving.

May just be my car, but the OEM springs are going back on.

You mileage may vary....

 

[JerryVV]

I ran TR6 rear springs on my 4A for years before I switched to GoodParts springs all around. Never an issue with the TR6 springs. Where did you get the TR6 springs? Reason I ask is there are some "Competition" rear springs around that are way too stiff and just plan wrong for the cars. The rear wheels end up with excessive positive camber and the back end jacked up. Might you have gotten ahold of those and if so they were really wrong for a 6 as well as a 4A.

 

[tdskip]

Good point - not sure that they are not stiffer springs.

 

[mallard]

I have a nice set of used low mileage original springs for TR6, let me know if you're interested.

 

[Tybalt]

What kind of shape are your dampers? If they are worn out or just don't have sufficient damping capability stiffer springs will just wind up in a bouncy ride as the spring rate is overcoming the capability of the dampers to smooth out the ride.

 

[tdskip]

Hi guys. Keith, thanks for the offer. These are easy to swap so let me put the original 4a springs on and see how she does. She only has ~60k miles on her so they may be OK still.

Tybalt - good thought, in this case they are rebuilt units from NOS so they should be OK. They are too stiff rather than too bouncy, if that makes sense. It is a lack of compliance rather than too much... Good thing to keep in mind however. Thanks.

 

[TR4eh]

I'm dealing with the elevated rear/excessive positive camber issue. 1.5" too high and +3 camber on both sides. The car is on TRF springs purchased several years ago that are supposed be stock grade IIRC. From the posts I've read I need to look for some different springs.

For those on Goodparts springs, is the ride stiff(er), like you are sledding on a 4" thick board instead of a 2" thick board? Any other suppliers whose springs have proven to give correct ride height?

Thanks much,

Cliff

 

[JerryVV]

Yep you got the bad springs. Find a set of used TR6 Springs or you can go with the GoodParts springs and shim to original height. I use GoodParts on my 4A and frankly don't notice much of a difference in ride. If ride is important get the TR6 springs.

 

[tdskip]

Find a set of used TR6 Springs or you can go with the GoodParts springs and shim to original height.

How do you shim a rear spring?

 

[JerryVV]

GoodParts sells the shims and they insert between the spring and the spring seat. Basically an aluminum disc of a certain height. https://www.goodparts.com/shop/index.php?categoryID=15 shows the shims.

 

[tdskip]

GoodParts sells the shims and they insert between the spring and the spring seat. Basically an aluminum disc of a certain height. https://www.goodparts.com/shop/index.php?categoryID=15 shows the shims.

Ah - a spacer.

Back on the same page now.

Thanks

 

[TR4eh]

Yep you got the bad springs. Find a set of used TR6 Springs or you can go with the GoodParts springs and shim to original height. I use GoodParts on my 4A and frankly don't notice much of a difference in ride. If ride is important get the TR6 springs.

Jerry,

Thanks. I'll be returning the current set and looking for used. If you know anybody who may have a set...

Cliff

 

[JerryVV]

Try Scott Harper @ Team Triumph in Warren OH https://www.teamtriumph.com/ good chance he has some and will be reasonable. Call him after 11:00 AM EDT.
Also you may try Ted at TSI.