tr7triumph.com

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

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],

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

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