Iain T Posted August 14 Report Share Posted August 14 (edited) While changing front shock absorber top bushes I inspected the suspension for wear etc. The nearside trunnion has play so I'll be addressing that problem however I noticed there are five shims on the offside lower wishbone and three on the nearside?? I've always thought the offside looked as though it had more camber. I would also like to check the toe in. I like to do the work myself so it seems time to invest in a Trakrite and camber tool. I'll also check the rear wheel geometry and inspect the front hub/shaft/bearings. The question is am I wasting my time until I change the trunnion(s) and top ball joint? I'm hoping the uprights are ok🤞. I could take it to a Triumph specialist but where's the fun in that! Iain PS. Recommendations as to settings please. Edited August 14 by Iain T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted August 14 Report Share Posted August 14 (edited) are you saying we need to do geometry checks at shuttleworth ??????????? and camber is half the sum of both sides ,never individual sides Pete Edited August 14 by Pete Lewis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted August 14 Author Report Share Posted August 14 42 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said: are you saying we need to do geometry checks at shuttleworth ??????????? Yes please 😁😁😂😂 I want value out of my ten quid! I just found it odd why 2 more shims are one side. I suppose the PO could have set it up for oval track racing.....? Plenty of camber tools for sale and I might have found a cheapish Trakrite. Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 14 Report Share Posted August 14 I think more likely Iain is that the chassis came out of the factory a bit wonky (like a lot of stuff in those days) and needed odd shims to get everything correct. Worth checking though as anything could have happened in the meantime.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted August 14 Author Report Share Posted August 14 I agree the chassis might not be perfect but visually the front wheel cambers do not look the same. Yes I wear prescription glasses 🥸. Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 15 Report Share Posted August 15 (edited) Wow but no noticeable difference when driving in left and right turns? Edited August 15 by johny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted August 15 Author Report Share Posted August 15 It's only slight but he car has always turned in slightly better one way. Now I've, deep sigh, pretty much finished playing with the engine and drivetrain I'm concentrating on making the driving experience better. Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 15 Report Share Posted August 15 Well for starters find which way it turns best and get the shims the same the other side👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjit Posted August 15 Report Share Posted August 15 I've got a Trakrite if you want to borrow it when you return the spring compressor - and if you can get it to work you can then teach me, as I've never had any luck with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted August 15 Author Report Share Posted August 15 2 hours ago, Mjit said: if you can get it to work you can then teach me, as I've never had any luck with it! I've read reviews saying the same! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 15 Report Share Posted August 15 Other thing is does trakrite do camber as well as tracking🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted August 15 Report Share Posted August 15 trakrite is very simple it shows you the side slip on the tyre by just driving over it , no it wont do camber . if the needle becomes disconnected or you drop it and the plastic rollers all move then its easy to refit and connect ,ive used one for around twenty years and have had a couple of mishaps easy to fix . the Weaver plate i loaned out and never saw again was a brick shithouse version , so heavy it was hardly portable as with any geometry you need to start with a flat level floor. and just drive carefully fully over the slip plate Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjit Posted August 16 Report Share Posted August 16 For me it's wlays been; roll car over, see reading of say slight toe out reading, give track rods a 360 spin and retest...to get the same slight toe out reading, wind track rods till you can see a big toe in stood infront the car and retest...to ge the same slight toe out reading, put the Trakrite on the "Shelf of Shame" next to multiple different solo brake bleeders that don't work, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted August 16 Author Report Share Posted August 16 (edited) 1 hour ago, Mjit said: the "Shelf of Shame" next to multiple different solo brake bleeders that don't work, etc. You can have my unused outside spring clamps to put on the Shelf of Shame! There's a tyre place up the road with a Hunter 4 wheel alignment machine but I'm not sure if they can process a car that's not in the machines log. I'm going there tomorrow to ask as the owner is very helpful and has a crazy Cosworth powered MK1 Escort RS. I've ordered a LH trunnion kit and top ball joint from Paddock today but they are out of stock of lower wishbone shims. Iain Edited August 16 by Iain T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted August 16 Author Report Share Posted August 16 On 15/08/2024 at 13:02, johny said: Other thing is does trakrite do camber as well as tracking No it doesn't Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted August 16 Report Share Posted August 16 why do they add the sum of cambers and halve it because on the road the car has no idea and uses the included angle never each side Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted August 18 Author Report Share Posted August 18 (edited) LH trunnion arrived from Paddock in less than 24 hours standard delivery 5*. After I had finished playing with the front ride height I tackled the trunnion. A first for me but was easy to do. The old trunnion ran up and down but it felt like there was grinding paste for oil! I cleaned up the VL thread and checked the top ball joint which was fine. On threading the new trunnion it had more play than the old one?!? I thoroughly cleaned the old trunnion and half filled with EP90 and reused as the bushes also ok. Threading it on it felt nice smooth. What I did find was the felt seal had almost disintegrated but I had no option to repack the bearings and assemble. I backed off the castellated nut one flat and on fitting the wheel there is slight 3-9 movement and a bit more 6-12. The bearings felt ok and there was minimal marking on the stub axle but I can only assume there is some wear in both items. I will clean and re-oil the offside trunnion and order two felt seals. Iain PS. Anyone want an unused LH trunnion......? Edited August 18 by Iain T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted August 18 Report Share Posted August 18 1 minute ago, Iain T said: LH trunnion arrived from Paddock in less than 24 hours standard delivery 5*. After I had finished playing with the front ride height I tackled the trunnion. A first for me but was easy to do. The old trunnion ran up and down but it felt like there was grinding paste for oil! I cleaned up the VL thread and checked the top ball joint which was fine. On threading the new trunnion it had more play than the old one?!? I thoroughly cleaned the old trunnion and half filled with EP90 and reused as the bushes also ok. Threading it on it felt nice smooth. What I did find was the felt seal had almost disintegrated but I had no option to repack the bearings and assemble. I backed off the castellated nut one flat and on fitting the wheel there is slight 3-9 movement and a bit more 6-12. The bearings felt ok and there was minimal marking on the stub axle but I can only assume there is some wear in both items. I will clean and re-oil the offside trunnion and order two felt seals. Iain Not sure if the replacement felt seal issue has been sorted but they just didnt fit . I ended up using the original seals Paul 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted August 18 Author Report Share Posted August 18 (edited) 13 hours ago, Paul H said: I ended up using the original seals Paul there's very little felt left and in some areas nothing at all. I read about the thick felt and the fix of oiling and squashing for a few days to sort the problem Iain Edited August 19 by Iain T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjit Posted August 19 Report Share Posted August 19 If this is the felt seal that goes at the very back of the hub and runs against the vertical link on its outer, felt side then I changed mine a couple of months ago... As others report/has in my experience been the case for the last 25+ years the metal 'tray' the seal sits in was way too big to fit in the hub. My solution was to carefully run a blade around between the 'tray' and base of the felt to cut the glue holding it in place and transfer the felt ring into my original 'tray'. A new felt is way thicker than one that's been in use for god knows how many years but they compress a lot. My approach was an overnight soaking in oil followed by 24hrs clamped in a vice (between 2 flat plates to spread the pressure evenly). Those 2 combined gave me a sensible thickness felt seal that actually fitted into the hub. Done 500 odd miles since and had to give the end float one nip already and waggling the wheels on the weekend suggests another nip might be required on the passengers side (movement more heard/seen than just felt). 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted August 19 Author Report Share Posted August 19 (edited) Yes that's the felt that's disappeared. Where did you buy yours from? Update, I've ordered two from Chic Doig off Fleabay as delivery is included. Iain Edited August 19 by Iain T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted August 19 Author Report Share Posted August 19 DIY toe in contraption. No ice cream in the spacer box 😋. Toe in was 3mm so I've set to parallel. I'll need to take it for a spin, any excuse, and recheck. I can do the same for the rears but how do I check for alignment with the fronts or I could crab down the road like an old mini! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 19 Report Share Posted August 19 I thought the toe in was supposed to be 1.6 to 3.2 mm Iain or have I missed something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted August 19 Author Report Share Posted August 19 Lots of debate about the wsm value or parallel when using wider radials. I'm going neutral trial and see how it feels. Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 19 Report Share Posted August 19 ok let us know what you think👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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