Another front strut question

[Last TR]

The d.p. owner fit my 8 with uprated front springs; ground clearance is about 3 inches less than stock. I would like to increase the clearance by maybe an inch, but I don't want to change the springs, because the car handles well, and is quite comfortable too. I see strut lift kits for 4 wheel drive rigs that consist of a spacer between the strut and the strut tower. Can anyone tell me if the three studs that secure the strut to the tower are easily removed from the strut, i.e., are they a press fit, or welded, or? They would need to be replaced by a slightly longer stud to fit a spacer. Thanks.

Ken
Anchorage, Alaska

1980 TR8, 1973 TR6, 1965 Volvo PV544, 1958 MGA, Jeep Cherokees

[V8Wedgehead]

The studs are tack welded on the underside of the strut top. You can grind the head off and then do whatever you want for bolting and spacers.

Michael
1980 TR8 FHC #0020 Rally Conversion

[Hasbeen]

Ken, don't you have access to a spring company?

It is a very simple process to heat your existing springs, adjust their length, & re-temper them to the existing spring rate

This will give you the same set up as you have now, with the extra ground clearance, without any perhaps dodgy "lift kit" set up.

I have used very large spring makers in the past, but for my last job, [lowering the rear of the 7 by 1.15"], I went to a recommended local company, who use a small gas fired furnace for coil springs. It only fits 8 springs, but they can offer a 4 hour turn around using it.

I jacked the car up at 6.30 AM, & was driving it again, with reset rear springs at 1.30 PM. That was over 8 years ago, & I am still happy with the job.

Hasbeen

[V8Wedgehead]

Roadster Factory used to and may still possibly sell the upgraded springs that are the same hieght as stock but are stiffer.

Michael
1980 TR8 FHC #0020 Rally Conversion

[Last TR]

Thanks Michael, that sounds like it might be possible to do.

I bought my TR8 to drive when I'm in Oregon, and I only get a couple weeks a year with it while visiting my family there. I don't want to spend my whole time there working on the car. I figured spacers would give me the opportunity to lift the front a little at a time, just until I don't bottom out on every rough spot. My first set of spacers is 3/8" thick.

Hasbeen, I'll check around down there for a spring shop, and after I figure how much I want to lift it, maybe I'll take your route.

Thanks.

Ken
Anchorage, Alaska

1980 TR8, 1973 TR6, 1965 Volvo PV544, 1958 MGA, Jeep Cherokees

[Last TR]

Michael, per your second post, I don't want to raise it all the way back to stock. Just trying to reduce the incidence of bottoming out. From previous posts here and on TR6 and MG sites, it seems like getting the ride height you want with springs only is pretty iffy. TRF makes spacers to go with their TR6 springs.

Ken
Anchorage, Alaska

1980 TR8, 1973 TR6, 1965 Volvo PV544, 1958 MGA, Jeep Cherokees

[V8Wedgehead]

Sounds like you may just need to replace the front springs. Back in the day there wer a few batches of bad springs that would sag really bad! The new sets do not do that! You can space the top of the strut and put a spacer in the rear on the bottom of the control arm....BUT you will have to come up with a way to keep everything in place so nothing comes off a seat or rolls off either.

Michael
1980 TR8 FHC #0020 Rally Conversion

[jclay (RIP 2018)]

Contact Ted @ http://www.tsimportedautomotive.com/

He tests all his springs before sending them out and can get you what you need.

Clay

[url="http://web.mac.com/jclaythompson/Site/Welcome.html"]My Triumph Site[/url], [url="http://web.mac.com/jclaythompson/iWeb/Technical/Intro.html"]Technical Stuff[/url], [url="http://homepage.mac.com/WebObjects/FileSharing.woa/53/wo/HJMTK8gsojtwKleP.1/0.2.1.2.26.31.97.0.35.0.1.1.1?user=jclaythompson&fpath=Triumph_Articles&templatefn=FileSharing4.html"]Download Page[/url]

[Last TR]

The rear is fine; I don't think the fronts sagged, I think that's where the dpo wanted it. My intent is that the spacer will be bolted between the strut and the strut tower. Once I find the height I like, I may look for a taller spring, but the current spring rate is perfect and I don't want to mess with that.

Ken
Anchorage, Alaska

1980 TR8, 1973 TR6, 1965 Volvo PV544, 1958 MGA, Jeep Cherokees