GFL

Its a guy called Peter Dunne who is on YouTube, his fabrication and welding skills are amazing. Does this help:

Jonny Yes I can see the correct outer clamp, it would appear its probably the correct spring then. I've had issues in the past though with some of the reproduction springs offered by some of the suppliers, the one I had was too weak and sagged in no time at all😞 It's always difficult trying to diagnose a problem without a look or a test drive? Gary

Alan Does the ride height drop when you actually drive the car? If not it would seem somethings seized or you have the wrong rear spring fitted as the rear suspension should compress with two people in the rear seat. Gary

Alan Another thing worth checking is that you have the correct Mk2 Spring fitted. I recently viewed and had a test drive in a restored Mk2 Vitesse Convertible before I purchased my present one, it had been fitted with an earlier incorrect Mk1 Spring, the ride was very hard and choppy. A Mk2 Vitesse Spring should have 11 slim leaves and the outer clamps wraparound (as per the attached image), it is also a different shape/profile to the earlier springs, the wraparound outer clamps are to prevent it catching the Roto-flex drive couplings on full bump. The attached chart shows you the various types of springs fitted to the small chassis Triumphs. worth a check, I hope you get it sorted. Gary John Thomason Spring Article.pdf

Alan That all looks about right to me and your wheel is sitting more or less correct in the wheel arch too, with very slight positive camber. Can you describe the ride characteristics in a bit more detail? The Mk2 Vitesse isn't the comfiest of rides compared with modern cars, but should be reasonably smooth and quiet if everything is in good condition and not seized Does the Lever Arm Damper arm rest on the Bump stop when the car is jacked up on the Chassis? As stated by Trigolf, the long wishbone bolt can seize into the trunnion spacers and also into the vertical link as well, in the worst case they need drilling out from the hub carrier/vertical links! It may be worth seeing it it turns and also moves sideways slightly as suggested. Gary

Ok thanks Any primer required and how many coats of paint? Gary

Alan Here's a couple of Pictures of Original Vitesse Press cars showing how the cars should look. You should have very slight positive camber on the wheels at the Rear, like this: \ / The Mk2 Vitesse should ride ok with everything in good order, the Lever arm dampers won't affect the ride height it's the spring that does that. A couple of things that can cause a harsh ride are a worn or broken rear spring or a seized Trunnions/Lower Wishbone bolt. a side on and rear photo of your car will give us some clues Gary

Jon Can you tell us what paint you used, they look better than new? Mine are a bit tatty, another job for the Winter I reckon. Gary

I've noticed that my plastic hood quarter lights have come away on the vertical edges adjacent the rear window. The rest of the hood and the rear window are in excellent condition, so I'm a bit reluctant to get a new hood Can these be glued/welded back in place or will it be a new hood? The quarter lights do over-lap slightly to the hood so I suppose I could have a go at gluing them, although it looks like the PO may have done this previously, but its failed and come apart. I've contacted a local Boat Canopy company but they can only stitch it, which will look awful! I've also E-Mailed the Don Trimming Company but no reply as yet As anyone successfully repaired this area on their hoods in the past. Gary

I started the post and had numerous replies. I've decided to refurbish an original joint for my Vitesse with new Supaflex poly-bushes, this will be a job for the winter though. Gary

I have now received the History Folder for my new car, does anyone who lives in the Middlesex Area know or have contact details for a Lee Shepard? Thanks in anticipation. Gary

Anything with modern rubber in, they seem to perish within 12 months! Gary

Pete I've asked someone I know who's accumulated loads of Triumph parts over the years if he's got a spare one he's willing to sell, however I'm still waiting to hear back. Gary

I've just been reading the Courier and have seen them listed, might be worth a call but no doubt they will be a bit battered and bruised😕

Colin I agree, a lot of tacky accessories are listed when you search for Triumph Car parts and not many decent genuine parts are listed anymore. You seem to get odd decent N.O.S or second hand parts occasionally that do sell but they are becoming rarer and rarer these days. I'm undecided if to keep the Chrome Wire wheels currently fitted on my car or swop to period Alloys or the Original steel rims and Ro-style trims. Everyone keeps telling me the car looks great with the Chrome wires, but I've never been a big fan, they have so many disadvantages (Heavy, easy to buckle, small spline area and hard to clean) that I'm thinking of swopping them. Gary

Is this really how much decent Vitesse Mk2 Ro-style Trims go for these days? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126596646480?itmmeta=01J3YZ3NNJHXBJ9JZCR0HVY9PZ&hash=item1d79bf8650:g:Yq4AAOSwMldmogA4&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4KliOlxIWsErVSGvtZJctNdHaDym3x%2BqoABJm37AHlZsNBV3EmS0QjUDGIafNg8uSTq3etK%2BeGL%2Fmyf3EEiUGgcb7ZSH5xmGMfK%2BgB%2Fk984oLLv9f2WDLbBDc5efWAhz38Xhm%2BiKLsn5IvMyKJTn2BP8yG%2BFygVM0jto8zY%2B99IhgsFi31%2FQvK63zImsClAzWHiETEX7AX%2BXyePsAMmdX8g9X%2F3fppvMA3RplRHcUzefi0bigtLcEfshLtZW%2FxvXvbs7mRx%2Fbc3MOHOtHeU59HNKq%2BouNC5RqXrVLAqp4vL%2F|tkp%3ABk9SR-zajt-fZA&edge=1 I'm considering putting standard 4.5J Rims and Ro-style trims back on my new purchase but it sounds like it could be expensive. I bought a N.O.S Set of PI ones (Slightly different) for £70 off Flea bay 20 years ago, I know things have gone up but?! Gary

Thanks for all the feedback. These Touchntuff ones got the best review in Autoexpress, I'll have to order some. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQ6OUKahcKEwjAxtLXm8KHAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.justgloves.co.uk%2FShop-By-Brand%2FAnsell%2FAnsell-TouchNTuff-92500-Nitrile-Gloves%3Futm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dproduct_feed_or_listings%26pl%3DSTD%26ccv%3DY%26sku%3DGL234M%26srsltid%3DAfmBOor-EFlvgLxjQkXqidBw7AewneR3egF5PGNlHa0kE7FIkKTGvWfub4c&psig=AOvVaw1Qzsr2acp6j3iD-1owuN_y&ust=1721997710000485&opi=89978449 Regards Gary

I'm no doubt going to be tinkering a bit more now I have a new classic in the Garage. I'm not getting any younger and have used Nitrile gloves in the past to protect my hands, however I've always found them flimsy and found them to split and tear in no time at all. Do any of you guys wear gloves whilst working on your classic and if so what type and make. Gary

Thanks for posting the photo's and info. I think I will refurbish an original with Supaflex bushes looking at all the hassle you had! Gary

Pete Yes I know about the hanging wheels, not as bad on a Mk2 but still needs addressing. I'll probably end up stripping down and giving the brakes a clean at the contact points and to make sure the slave cylinders slide ok. I suppose bleeding the complete system wouldn't do any harm either. Mintex 1144 pads may be on the list of things to buy after a strip down, check and clean of the front brakes, which is another item on my to do list as well. Gary

Johny Yes, it's crossed my mind to possibly fit one. I had a rebuilt Girling Mk2a Powerstop servo fitted to my old Vitesse, that helped. Gary

I'm still undecided what to do, I've been told by someone in the know that the solid UJ type ones transmit more shocks up the column to the steering wheel, I've got a Motalita wooden wheel fitted, so maybe refurbishing an original one with new Supaflex bushes is the way to go. I've got some other more pressing things to look at on the car first, the rear brakes need adjusting badly and possibly rebleeding as they don't inspire confidence and need an hefty shove to stop the car, a job for Saturday afternoon I reckon. Thanks for al the input Guys, this forum is great.😊 Regards Gary

Yes, on Club Triumph? Do those ones clear the suspension tower ok though John.

Pete I was looking at those earlier, do the original style ones fit ok and last though? Another option I suppose is the superflex kit and rebuild an original one, at least I know it will fit and not catch on anything! Cheers Gary

Johny Thanks for clarifying, I've e-mailed Chris Witor about replacement super-flex bushes for item 4. Seem expensive to me for 8 small bushes and 8 metal washers, £25 plus V.A.T., plus P&P a new original style joint off TD Fitchett's £42, are they any good though? Anyone bought one of these off Fitchett's. Gary