Hi all
Earlier I posted questions about the shocks on my newly acquired TR6. So
let me tell you the end of the story. First, when I got it, I found out
through this list that a rear shock conversion had been made on the car.
This was a conversion which put the bracket for the upper mounting of
tubular shocks onto the inner wing. Later I discovered that this setup
was in the process of tearing the inner wing apart.
When the conversion was dismantled it appeared that the damage was even
more severe than I had expected. The bracket for the shock was connected
to two aluminum plates on each side of the wing, and when these plates
were removed, a big hole in the left inner wing was revealed! The right
wing was still intact though, except that it looked like a swiss cheeze
from all the holes left by the bolts. It appears that the brackets
themselves had started out their life by being directly mounted to the
wing, and then the aluminum plates were bolted on to reinforce the wings
after the damage to the left had been done. So there is a welding job
waiting to be done.
Anyway, I got a tip from listers Keith Bennet and Dave Massey that there
were conversion kits that consisted of only one bracket that mounts on
the original shock mounts. Keith told me that two companies sold them,
namely CTM (steel brackets and KONI) and Racetorations (aluminum
brackets and SPAX), both located in England. I wound up with the kit
from Racetorations (mainly because I couldn't get through to the fax at
CTM). These kits were more tempting than original shocks, given that the
prices quoted to me for lever shocks included a surchange, and I didn't
have any old ones, so the price for the originals was more than I
expected.
I got the kit from Racetorations, and first of all, these brackets are
beautiful, although somewhat industrial in appearance (this might sound
like a contradiction), with beefy welds and everything. Mounting them
was quite easy. The only modification was that I had to elongate one of
the bolt holes in one of the brackets.
The bracket itself is L shaped, with the horizontal part of the L
connecting to the original mounts and the vertical part running up along
and leaning into the inner wing. The idea behind the brackets where so
simple and elegant, almost like a Columbi egg. Why didn't everyone think
of it?
The difference in ride is undescribable, so I wont even try, except that
the car is now fantastic!!! (well, almost, see the final paranthesis
below). I have the SPAX on five (out of fourteen) clicks and the ride is
firm, comfortable and quiet; not the expensive sound that used to come
from the rear when passing over bumps. I just can't believe how I could
enjoy the car the way it was before, which I certainly did, but then I
didn't know how good it could be.
Thanks to all the listers for help in sorting out the rear suspension,
what it was, what to do, and how to do it.
(Of course, the rear story isn't over yet: the car makes a certain twist
when I shift gears under acceleration, like the rear end is thrown to
the left, and it behaves strange in left turns. If it is still like this
after I change the trailing arm bushes, I'll come back to the list. And
yes, all the bolts are tight: from the differential flange and out to
the wheels)
Best, Lars
'74 TR6 CF27324UO
Bergen, Norway
|