If I understand your problem correctly (the frame bracket where the
front suspension wishbone mounts to the frame) this is a very common
problem with TR4A up through the TR6, all of which had adjustable (by
shimming) front suspension geometry. Kas Kastner dealt with it in the
competition prep manual and I think I saw something in www.vtr.org
maintenance manual area, as well. I'm pretty sure this is a deja vu
thread for the group, too.
The earlier TR4's didn't have adjustable steering geometry (except "have
a pro apply heat to the verticle link & bend it" yeah right). Has anyone
retrofitted an earlier 4 with this or other kind of adjustable system?
When my car is fully apart, I am thinking about engineering something
and would appreciate any input.
I am sure TRF sells something similar to Moss' kit to beef up the
brackets themselves with gusseting. Kastner also replaced the locating
pin with a 2nd bolt to double the strength of the attaching point
itself. It's very clearly spelled out w/photos in the manual.
The hardest part is the welding. Much easier during a frame off with the
engine removed.
You were very lucky to make it hom okay, driving that car with part of
the front suspension flapping in the wind!
Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif.
'62 TR4 #CT17602
Robert M. Lang wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I've not been following this thread too closely, but I thought that
> I'd pass
> on a semi-direct experience...
>
> A friend drove his TR6 from Boston to Minnesconsin for VTR a month or
> so
> ago, and upon getting to Hudson, WI - reported an annoying sound.
> While
> there, we replaced brake pads and the pin thingies and generally poked
> and
> prodded things in the front end to see what was up.
>
> The noise did not go away.
>
> Upon returning home, the car went up on stands and serious prodding
> commenced.
>
> Verdict: broken lower rear a arm bracket. Cracked right in half. Just
> above
> the frame and broken completely through from "gusset to gusset". The
> broken
> piece was catching on the part that was still welded to the frame, so
> even
> though it was not optimum - it was not totally dangerous.
>
> I would say that auto crossing the car would have probably been pretty
> bad
> with this particular car, and amazingly - despite a 3500 mile round
> trip,
> the tires only "feathered" a bit on the outer edge, so the alignment
> was not
> horribly off due to the breakage.
>
> The repair was simple, remove the suspension, buy lots of metal from
> TRF and
> grind the old stuff out and weld in the new. About 6 hours labor and
> $100
> for parts.
>
> The car is "good as new" now.
>
> Just thought I'd pass that on.
>
> rml
> Bob Lang
> TR6's
--
MZ
|