----- Original Message -----
From: "jim hearn" <jimhearn1@comcast.net>
To: <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, August 19, 2006 7:57 PM
Subject: [TR] Suspension and steering work to be done
> Hi, I have had my TR6 a few weeks now and need some front end bushings
> (upper) and tie rod ends. Also, I can feel the road bumps too much in
> the rear end. I checked and the rear dampeners are full. For the hard
> bumps, I understand that the next likely candidate is the springs
> although my brother suggested that some tires on their own can give a
> very hard ride.
I had thought to put on my car what Moss calls competition
> normal height springs (25% stronger) all the way around and polyurethane
> bushings on the trailing arms. Besides running the above by you folks
> for any ideas or corrections, I do have some direct questions. If I
> only need upper A-Arm bushings, can I replace the uppers with
> polyurethane if the rest are rubber? Also, am I being foolish not to
> replace all of the front end bushings at this time? I am trying to get
> some driving in as soon as possible!
Jim-
My recommendation is to replace all the front end bushings at one time.
By mixing and matching front end components, your results will be marginal.
I am from the school that if you have some bushings that are visibly worn,
you will have others that are worn whether you can see them or not. The
front end geometry will be a little off without rebushing the front
completely.
The rear bump feel warrants further investigation. Check the following
areas for cracks and defects in the frame: upper spring supports; rear
differential mounting brackets and lower area of the shock brackets. These
are all weak links on the frame and can cause excessive noise when
encountering rough roads.
You can replace the oil in the shocks as an inexpensive experiment to
determine what effect the shocks have. The heavier weight oil you put in
them, the stiffer the rebound will be. If you do go with stiffer springs,
consider going to a heavy duty valved rear shock. My TR6 has poly bushings
throughout, comp springs front and rear (stock ride height) Koni adjustables
in front with stock rear shocks, Addco sway bars front &rear.
Rides like a dump truck, corners better than my A4. Anytime you go stiffer
with bushings and/or springs, you will compromise ride quality. It is a
personal choice you have to wrestle with. If I were to do it over, I'd do it
the same way only use stock rubber bushings on the differential mounts. The
poly bushings transfer way too much diff noise with the top up.
Good luck,
Tim Hutchisen
71 TR6
70 GT6+
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