Padraic :
I seem to have misplaced your original post, but I have some slightly more
serious suggestions :
1) Disassemble, paint and grease the rear leaf springs. This made a world
of difference in my 59 TR3A. I even tried needle bearings between the
leaves, which rode well, but they all fell out pretty quick. Next time
around, I plan to try Teflon between the leaves.
2) Rebuild the front suspension. Get new lower trunnions, replace all of
the A-frame bushings, especially the outer lower ones. If the upper
bushings were rubber, replace them with Nylatron or Polyurethane. While
it's apart, check the shocks & replace if necessary. Make sure the rack &
upper ball joints are up to snuff.
3) Check out the rear shocks. Make sure they are securely bolted to the
frame, the linkage is tight, and they are full of oil.
4) Get better riding/handling tires. The original bias-ply tires were
pretty awful, and some steel radials aren't much better. Wider wheels &
tires will do wonders for handling. I use TR6 wheels (15x6) on my '3.
5) Add front and rear sway bars (I got mine from ADDCO, through J.C.
Whitney). The main improvement is to reduce body roll, so the inside rear
tire doesn't hit the stop in hard turns. This is what causes that
characteristic sideways "hop" that beam axle TR's seem to have.
All this may not make your '4 ride like a MGB, but it will handle even
better. After all, the '4s suspension is basically the same as a 1952 TR2,
while the MGB is a complete redesign from the MGA.
Randall
On Monday, March 01, 1999 10:17 AM, Gregory Petrolati
[SMTP:gpetrola@prairienet.org] wrote:
>
> On Mon, 1 Mar 1999, padraic mullin wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > i have 2 essentially "new" brits 64b & 64tr4)
> > the b rides much better (e.g., handles bumps and potholes like a new,
> > small car)
> > any ideas why?
> > more importantly, what can i do to my tr4 to make ride more like my b
> > pfm
> >
> First:
> Take out that nasty old Standard Vanguard engine and running gear...
> It's much too heavy and torquey. Replace it with a smaller motor,
> say from an MGB.
>
> The body will need a lot more rigidity. Weld strengthening panels at
> various locations around the undertub.
> (In essence, here we'll be creating a semi-unibody construction)
>
> Get rid of that nasty old TR4 frame and suspension, create and
> install subframe assemblies (like those of an MGB).
>
> Just for starters...
>
> - or -
>
> Enjoy your TR4 and your MGB like the two distinctly different
> sports cars they are and with distinctly different heritages that
> they have...
>
> Greg Petrolati
>
> gpetrola@prairienet.org 1962 TR4 (CT4852L)
> "That's not a leak... My car is just marking its territory!"
> Greg Petrolati, Champaign, Illinois
>
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