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TR2/3/3A VERY wobbly TR3 - help needed!!!!
- Thread starter Alphonso61
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OP
Alphonso61
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Not too sure how rear axle shims would cause a car to sway at the rear but every days a schooldays.
OP
Alphonso61
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This has been my exact point, there is no wheel movement or up/down movement. Tyre pressures are 30psi. They are Firestones and new but I believe classic Firestones are made by a UK franchisee now so possibly of far less quality.
mezy
Jedi Warrior
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Just read a few reviews on these tyres, not sounding too good. They are prone to very soft side walls, and a lot of run out (tread wobble),
and some not even propper round, taking a lot of weight to get them to ballance,
Some reviewers liked the comfort they gave having soft walls, some reviewers upped their pressure to as much as 38 psi,
saying they are ok for straight line but dont like corners,
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In your first post, you wrote "I have tested another TR3 on wires with the same tyres (a bit older) and there is NO MOVEMENT beyond what would be normal."
If the same tires caused no problem on another TR, then wouldn't that indicate the problem is the car, not the tires?
If the same tires caused no problem on another TR, then wouldn't that indicate the problem is the car, not the tires?
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Alphonso61
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^ see my last post
CJD
Yoda
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You‘re worrying about nothing. I can do that with any car with 70 profile tires. We have gotten used to 50 and even 30 profile tires on family cars…those will not do that.
As for the squirrelly handling, I bet it has toe-out, which makes a car dart all over. Bring the toe to zero or slight inward and handling will improve. Of course, there could be loose steering parts, but you can’t detect that by pushing the car. You must look under at each part as someone rocks the steering wheel gently back and forth.
Hard steering is an indication of a bent vertical link or binding trunnion. These are also easy to miss if the restorer was not intimately familiar with TR suspensions.
Finally, a TR set up properly should be stable and easy to control…but it cannot be compared to a modern car. It’s 75 year old technology. The zero caster suspension means you have to drive it. Modern cars drive you!
As for the squirrelly handling, I bet it has toe-out, which makes a car dart all over. Bring the toe to zero or slight inward and handling will improve. Of course, there could be loose steering parts, but you can’t detect that by pushing the car. You must look under at each part as someone rocks the steering wheel gently back and forth.
Hard steering is an indication of a bent vertical link or binding trunnion. These are also easy to miss if the restorer was not intimately familiar with TR suspensions.
Finally, a TR set up properly should be stable and easy to control…but it cannot be compared to a modern car. It’s 75 year old technology. The zero caster suspension means you have to drive it. Modern cars drive you!
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Alphonso61
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If you read the thread and see the link to the video you will see the problem and the comparison with the red TR which is rock solid. It’s nothing to to with ‘they all do that’ - Triumph couldn’t possibly ever have raced, rallied and sold huge numbers of cars if they wobbled at a light sideways push. The handling isn’t squirrelly it’s all over the place as the rear body is being thrown about 6” either way at the slightest chance. There is no control of that other than steering it out or careful braking either of which could lead to disaster on a 2 way road.
The video appears to show the movement being in the tyre wall, if you’re running on jelly rings any tracking issue becomes a trivial sideshow.
My intention after a week off is to fit a spare pair of wheels I have, also out the rear axle on stands and see if either make a difference. Otherwise it’s a peach of a car, with a rare 5 speed gearbox conversion, rack, servo, and later large valve head - and worth pursuing further.
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You're in Essex, UK. As we're all just guessing, and haven't actually seen the car, why not contact the Triumph Club of Essex (Andy Dimbleby) and have someone with TR knowledge do a hands-on inspection? Seems that would give you some good feedback on the car, and what it may need, before you buy it.
Tom M.
Tom M.
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Alphonso61
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A very good idea.You're in Essex, UK. As we're all just guessing, and haven't actually seen the car, why not contact the Triumph Club of Essex (Andy Dimbleby) and have someone with TR knowledge do a hands-on inspection? Seems that would give you some good feedback on the car, and what it may need, before you buy it.
Tom M.
I am actually getting married in 90 minutes!
So I’ll get into it in a couple of hours
The last tr3 I restored, I did not get the rear axle tight enough and the car was very drifty as I shifted.
The tr3, I restored before that had the front end out of alignment. I believe I had the tires pointing out instead of zero or toe set in those 2 degrees. Before I fixed the alignment, the car was scary to drive. I could not go over about 30mph.
Steve
The tr3, I restored before that had the front end out of alignment. I believe I had the tires pointing out instead of zero or toe set in those 2 degrees. Before I fixed the alignment, the car was scary to drive. I could not go over about 30mph.
Steve
CJD
Yoda
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Well, you keep pointing to tires. My friend bought a Cougar back in the 1970’s…brand new. Within 6 months all 4 Firestones plus the spare blew out. I would personally never buy Firestone or Continental tires. I have never had Continentals wear out before they delaminated, and I have run 4 sets that came on new cars over the years.
Looking at the all the videos I see no problem with the car. Your beef seems to be the tires. If you like the car, buy it and change the tires. I agree with you completely that Firestones suck.
Looking at the all the videos I see no problem with the car. Your beef seems to be the tires. If you like the car, buy it and change the tires. I agree with you completely that Firestones suck.
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Alphonso61
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Alphonso61
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Red normal:
youtube.com
Yellow wobbly:
youtube.com
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtube.com
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtube.com
These are straight forward old cars with a frame, rear axle, shocks and shock links--- that is all there is in back, simple to fix and simple to find the problems. Like said lift the car up and see if anything is loose. Please, let us know what is wrong. I for one am curious.
Steve
Steve
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Alphonso61
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It’ll be a week or so but I’ll do a full rundown don’t you worry!!!