Strut not rotating freely

[Mark H]

Further to my previous thread about intermittent pulling to either side, I got around to taking the strut apart tonight. First I disconnected the strut from the suspension arm etc, so I could turn it freely. It felt horrible, binding up as it turned.

To my surprise, though, it has the bearing kit installed - but either due to the installation, or the design, the bearing is doing nothing.

If you look at the white nylon (?) ring, it is standing proud of the bearing - so the metal cone will be sitting on the nylon, not the bearing. The bearing is taking no load.

Secondly, the rubber strut mount is rubbing against the spring mount - look at the shiny and galled surface of the spring mount, around the bearing.



1980 TR8, coming back to life

[jclay (RIP 2018)]

It appears that one of the steel bearing faces is missing, the one that goes on the bottom. Check out the series of images at the bottom of this link:

http://jclay.me/jclay/Triumph_TR-7.html#32

Clay

[url="http://www.jclay.me/"]My Triumph Site[/url], [url="http://www.triumphtechnical.me"]Technical Stuff[/url], [url="https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B8MWEvqOpX3udEF4SmFQUW9RS09hbU5uNW5Wd0xrUQ/edit"]My Public Folder[/url],

[Mark H]

No, there's a lower ring, then the bearing, then an upper ring, as in the picture

Edit : found the problem, the spring top plate itself was distorted, pushing up the nylon hat. I have adjusted it with the help of my hydraulic press.

That still leaves the problem of what to do with the strut mount. I think the problem is that the rubber has sagged over the years. Ideally I need new strut mounts, but I'm thinking a large washer or two might prevent the rubber of the mount from rubbing on the plate.

1980 TR8, coming back to life

[Mark H]

In the end I added two 2 1/2", and two 3" washers, on each side. (well I haven't done one side yet) Total thickness about 1/4". This makes it impossible for the rubber to hit the spring mount.

Rotation is nice and free, and there are no knocks or clunk.

I think the washers restore the bearing preload that should be there, but wasn't due to the squished strut mount rubber.

1980 TR8, coming back to life