jokeruk Posted March 22, 2022 Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 Hi All, Yup, another 'hello' post! I recently bought a 1972 Spitfire in blue from a classic car auction. It's got a couple of issues (namely rear camber and some lighting), but i'll be looking at them over the next few days to see what's needed. I'm pretty handy with vehicles (my VW transporter means that I have to be!), but this is my first classic British car... so need to get a set of imperial tools!! Anyway, here's a couple of pics Leigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qu1ckn1ck Posted March 22, 2022 Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 Hi and welcome to Triumph ownership, Leigh ! Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted March 22, 2022 Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 Looks very nice but yes looks to be sitting too high at the back. I wonder if theres a clue in any bills you got with the car as to whats been done on the rear suspension? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted March 22, 2022 Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 Welcome to the mad house forum, always room for one more! When you've had chance to check out the problems with the car ask away and I know you will get plenty of answers, advice and if you need it encouragement & support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted March 22, 2022 Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 Welcome to the forum, you are in the right place . Lots of info and help just for the asking Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jokeruk Posted March 22, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 2 minutes ago, johny said: Looks very nice but yes looks to be sitting too high at the back. I wonder if theres a clue in any bills you got with the car as to whats been done on the rear suspension? I believe it's had poly bushes fitted, so potentially something to do with that. 17 minutes ago, Qu1ckn1ck said: Hi and welcome to Triumph ownership, Leigh ! Nick Thanks... but the question is... how quick is Qu1ckn1ck? 2 minutes ago, Chris A said: Welcome to the mad house forum, always room for one more! When you've had chance to check out the problems with the car ask away and I know you will get plenty of answers, advice and if you need it encouragement & support. Thanks - I've had plenty of help with my VW ownership over the years, so I know the benefits of a knowledgeable group! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted March 22, 2022 Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 Thought it might be down to a new spring or maybe the new bushes were bolted up tight in the air rather than when the car is back on the ground so effectively locking them in the wrong positions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 22, 2022 Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 yes its high , i would do as suggested loosen all the pivots and see if ti settles retightenn when its on the deck excessive rear toe in will make the suspn climb , when driven forwards . does it lower when reversed ?? as for imperial spanners M11 = 7/16af M13 = 1/2"af m15 = 9/16" m17 = 11/16af m19 = 3/4"af so all close enough to get at most fitting Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jokeruk Posted March 22, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 When you say 'pivots', are you talking about the leaf spring mounts? I've never actually worked on a car with leaf springs before, so until i've seen it up close (which I haven't yet - as you can see on the pics, I'm doing some work on my VW!) I'm a little bit out of my depth. Cheers, Leigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 22, 2022 Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 Rear Suspension - Thrust Bar and Shock Absorbers : Canley Classics there are pivot points at end of spring in the main bearing trunion block each end of the tire rod all need to be left a bit loose and tighten when sitting on the road if you loosen them and its still high suspect the spring or the shockabsorbers are holding it high when it come to geometry you dont need a laser just a tape measure will give you a good clue have a browse at Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jokeruk Posted March 22, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 Awesome - thanks, I'll take a look (just after I posted that, I did take a look at a Haynes that's just come for it ) Leigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 22, 2022 Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 and steve has some online dowloadable original WSM Triumph Car Service manuals - Vitessesteve Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted March 22, 2022 Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 Hi Leigh! Welcome! To add, you may not be aware, but the rear wheels should be like this / \ Well, not quite that much, but noticeable, yours are more ! !. This can happen if you jack the rear end up wheels off the ground and lower it again. It goes back to / \ once the car's moved forward or back a couple of feet. If it doesn't there's a problem. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratton Jimmer Posted March 22, 2022 Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 2 hours ago, jokeruk said: I believe it's had poly bushes fitted, so potentially something to do with that. I fitted poly bushes to my GT6 recently and they didn't alter the ride height one jot. Look elsewhere my friend. Welcome to the forum wherein lies everything you will ever need to know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted March 22, 2022 Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 Indeed, changng bushes does not affect ride height, unless somebody did the rear ones up with teh suspension hanging (but with polybushes I think that doesn't matter?) Could be new rear spring, load a few sacks or snad and do some hump backed bridges to work the suspension, that may help. Or it could be as simple as the car has just been jacked up and not moved? Or rear tracking? Seized rear trunnions? But if all that is fruitless, a lowering block will sort the issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted March 22, 2022 Report Share Posted March 22, 2022 If you dont have access to a WSM. this is what your rear end looks like. A Car laid up for some time on blocks/stands might conceivably take a set compounded by possible seized pivot/joints, On my 13/60 for example Item 7 was so seized I resorted to the Slitting Wheel on an angle grinder, cut the bolt and replaced the whole. But mine is a Full "ground up" job. 6 years and running. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jokeruk Posted March 23, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2022 Thanks All - I'm going to be looking at it this weekend, so definitely have some stuff to go at! I'll let you know how I get on Leigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daverclasper Posted March 23, 2022 Report Share Posted March 23, 2022 On 22/03/2022 at 15:28, johny said: or maybe the new bushes were bolted up tight in the air rather than when the car is back on the ground so effectively locking them in the wrong positions? I'm pretty sure the Poly Bushes swivel on the the crush tube, unlike originals, so not an issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted March 23, 2022 Report Share Posted March 23, 2022 41 minutes ago, daverclasper said: I'm pretty sure the Poly Bushes swivel on the the crush tube, unlike originals, so not an issue? The ones on my 13/60 where completely siezed solid. hence resorting to the Sliting wheel. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 23, 2022 Report Share Posted March 23, 2022 all the bushes be they rubber or poly pivot around the crush tube its still best to nip them up when at a running height Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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