Strut bearing recommendations

[TR7Aaron]

One of the things I want to change on my car is to add roller strut bearings for easier steering.

Does anyone have any recommendations as to what's the best type?
I've read about the Merkur version. I've seen the sealed type on eBay and I've looked at the type offered by TSI automotive.
Prices seem to be somewhat in the same range but I'm looking for something that works the best (smoother steering), doesn't affect ride height, easy to install (no machining), and durability (I will be driving this car so water and dirt will be a factor).
Thanks for any advice you can lend!

Aaron
1976 TR7 FHC (an ongoing project)

[busheytrader]

Hi Aaron,

I bought mine from Robsport and they work very well. Fitting the bearing kit was easy. Refitting all the front suspension which had all been polybushed was not, especially the front roll / sway bar.

As far as I can remember the bearings were sealed. So long as your rubber gaiters / bellows around the struts are in good condition and you have the rubber caps on top fitted, I don't think dirt or water will get them.

Adam



TR7 V8 DHC Jaguar Solent Blue. 9.35cr Range Rover V8, Holley 390cfm, JWR Dual Port, 214 Cam, Lumention, Tubular Manifolds, Single Pipe Exh, 3.08 Rear, 200lb Spax & PolyBushes, Anti- Dive, Granada Vented Discs & Calipers, Braided Hoses, 4 Speed Rear Cylinders, Uprated Master Cylinder & Servo, AT 5 Spokes and Cruise Lights. No Door Stickers. Mine since July 1986, V8 from 1991

[john]

Fitted the sierra type to my fixed contrary to some reports there is no ride hight difference and at £8 a strut and half to an hour a side to fit can that be beaten



[8 whole cylinders worth of punch to ram the world through the windshield and out the rear view mirror. Car & Driver]
1981 Grinnall TR7 v8
1981 Black FHC
1979 & 1980 Black Premium FHC(laid to rest) Sorry


John

[V8Wedgehead]

Aaron-Being state side I know of a lot of TR7 and even TR8 that use TSI roller/needle bearing kits for the strut tops. It is a very easy and striaght forward swap. Just make sure everything is clean and well lubed and you should be good to go.

Michael
1980 TR8 FHC/Works Rally Project

If it is broken then fix it....if it is not then make it faster!"

[Beans]

I used a slightly different approach with the Sierra bearing ...

http://tr7beans.blogspot.com/2007/05/dhc-front-suspension-upgrade.html

There were a few critics then, but I am glad that I can say that after 2 years and more then 10000km of hard driving (including one 10CR and one LCC) the bearings were still in pretty good nick when I dismantled the front suspension for the restoration of the car.

<center>
<font color="blue"><i>1981 TR7 FHC Sprint (better known as 't Kreng)
1981 TR7 DHC (now completely dismantled)
Also a 1980 TR7 DHC, 1980 TR7 DHC FI, 1981 TR7 FHC</font id="blue">
<font color="red">http://tr7beans.blogspot.com/</i></font id="red"></center>

[Chris Turner]

When I use the TSI/Wedgeparts kit I put a large O ring around the outside of the bearing to stop dust etc getting inside.

www.triumphtrs.co.uk
TR8 FHC
TR7 Sprint
TR7V8 rally car