PeteH Posted April 18, 2023 Report Share Posted April 18, 2023 (edited) SWMBO. (so Far) has had 2 HIps. (1 replaced aftet 15years) I knee, Same leg, and a strengthening bar to support the broken Femur. My estimate is about 5kg of quality steel. (we joke about having her "weighed in") With a LOT of gut`s and effort, it all works, she reports very little discomfort. At the moment her issues are more medical than Prosthetic. By comparison, I have "rusty" knees, the result of years of crawling about inside Pressure Vessels, Tanks and Boilers. But the buggers arn`t get me under the knife any time soon!. Pete Edited April 18, 2023 by PeteH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted April 18, 2023 Report Share Posted April 18, 2023 On 17/04/2023 at 18:57, Pete Lewis said: will know more on friday when they do the swap Pete, let me know how it turns out and I'll relay to my mate. He had his knee done at a Nuffield. Ta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted April 19, 2023 Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 does that mean i need to examine Johns Knees that could seriously affect my bladder Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted April 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 Any thoughts on my question about the trunnion seals, they’ve perished and one has split completely, the trunnions were replaced about 3 years ago with little mileage since I’ve forced as much grease out as I can with oil do I need to replace the trunnions to fit new seals? thanks Julian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted April 19, 2023 Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 its unfortunate the after market fakes are just rubbish rubber and yes to fit a new seal/cap you have to unscrew the trunnion anyone tried to make a seal from a hose or similar ????or some other alternative, bathroom silicon ??? Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted April 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 Do the springs need to be removed to change the trunnions Pete? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjit Posted April 19, 2023 Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 44 minutes ago, Jonah said: Do the springs need to be removed to change the trunnions Pete? Been a while but I dn't think so. Jack up, onto stands, remove wheel, remove tunnion bolt and you should be able to wiggle the trunnion out of the lower wishbone. Can't remember if you also need to detach the anti roll bar but have a feeling you can normally get away without... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted April 19, 2023 Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 as soon as a wheel comes off the ground the spring is at its full travel because its integral shock is fully extended so no worries there. As for the anti roll bar if both front wheels are off the ground there will be no torque stored in it so everything can be undone without risk... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted April 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 Thank you both, next job awaits……then the leaking diff! julian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted April 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 Meant to ask, would you replace the whole trunnion or just the seals? julian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted April 19, 2023 Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 well the trunnion comprises the bronze threaded casting which can have worn threads so is loose on the vertical link. There will always be some play here especially if not kept lubricated with oil but if minimal save your money as theyre quite expensive. Then theres the plastic bushes and seals that fit in the lower part of the trunnion and these are whats usually worn and so replaced.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted April 19, 2023 Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 I don't think anyone mentioned, to get the trunnion off you need to remove the brake back plate and hence disc and caliper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted April 19, 2023 Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 True but hopefully its, as usual, just the plastic bushes that need replacing which means the trunnion can stay in its place.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted April 19, 2023 Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 I thought Jonah said the rubber seal has split, which definitely needs the trunnion undone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted April 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 Yes it’s the rubber seal at the top that has split and perished on both sides Julian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted April 19, 2023 Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 ah yes I didnt see the earlier post and thought it was the trunnion bush seals. A lot of work then to replace the top seal (for what it does its more a dust cover) when as Pete says the quality these days could mean the replacement wont last long anyway☹️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted April 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 Would it be ok to ignore the problem and not replace them Johny? julian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted April 19, 2023 Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 (edited) If thats the only reason for dismantling the suspension I would leave as is but stick to the lubrication schedule of the trunnions so that the oil you inject regularly pushes out any dirt that gets in. Saying that if you MOT the car it may well be picked up by the tester.... Edited April 19, 2023 by johny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted April 19, 2023 Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 If you are going to change the seals these look quite good and come with a 2 year warranty (for what thats worth).... 2 x Triumph Spitfire Herald GT6 Vitesse Front Trunnion Suspension Rubber Seals | eBay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted April 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 Thanks Johny, poor quality parts has become a familiar problem for me since I started this restoration, working out the trusted suppliers I guess is the key julian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted April 19, 2023 Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 Unfortunately with some components, particularly rubber ones it seems, there may just not be anyone making quality items so no supplier can help and the best option is to make the original, if still fitted, last as long as possible. However with enough complaints and demand theres always the possibility that other manufacturers will start to produce better quality alternatives... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted April 19, 2023 Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 1 hour ago, johny said: 2 x Triumph Spitfire Herald GT6 Vitesse Front Trunnion Suspension Rubber Seals | eBay interesting it says made in the UK so they could stand a chance of being decent rubber Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted April 19, 2023 Report Share Posted April 19, 2023 Think Id still be tempted to slice down one side, fit them on the trunnion and then put a cable tie round😲 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted April 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2023 I like that idea Johny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted April 20, 2023 Report Share Posted April 20, 2023 Let us know how it goes if you do that👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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