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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-GB link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Hi Fred.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>You are not the first person that I have encountered with this confusion. It is usually held by those that are very familiar with pre-war cars and beam axles. In those cars the steering/stub axle is captured between fixed top & bottom ‘ears’ on the end of the beam. The weight of the car bears down through the top ear onto the swivel axle. All fairly obvious.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>In the case of our cars, with top and bottom wishbones, the weight of the car is carried on the spring and bottom wishbone. The wheel and stub axle is bearing upwards, LIFTING the car through the top trunnion using the kingpin as a pull-rod to the bottom wishbone and spring.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The whole front end is sat on those two Oilite bronze thrust washers. Any reduction in friction here pays dividends – especially in a 6-cylinder car with even more weight over the wheels.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Maybe others can come up with a clearer explanation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Cheers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>AlanB<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><img width=222 height=72 style='width:2.3125in;height:.75in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D6E442.1D42F470"></span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US>From:</span></b><span lang=EN-US> Fred Wescoe <fredwescoe@gmail.com> <br><b>Sent:</b> 06 January 2021 15:14<br><b>To:</b> Bluehealey <bluehealey@gmail.com><br><b>Cc:</b> Team.net <lawrence.swift@gmail.com>; Ahealey help <healeys@autox.team.net><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Healeys] BN2 Caster Angle<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Listers,<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I have looked at these top trunnion bearing kits over the years and considered installing them. However, I simply cannot get my head wrapped around why replacing bearings at the top of the kingpin would reduce the weight of the car and improve steering. It seems to me that all the weight of the car is pressed against the bottom of the kingpin. To me, it seems replacing the top bearing would have no effect on the steering effort. Can someone explain in simple language why this kit would work?<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks, mystified,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Fred<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>66 BJ8<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>On Wed, Jan 6, 2021 at 9:49 AM Bluehealey <<a href="mailto:bluehealey@gmail.com">bluehealey@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0cm'><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>These are the ones.<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.ahspares.co.uk/austin-healey/big-healey/suspension-front/top-trunnion-bearing-kit-pair.aspx" target="_blank">https://www.ahspares.co.uk/austin-healey/big-healey/suspension-front/top-trunnion-bearing-kit-pair.aspx</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Well worth doing.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>The other often overlooked source of heavy steering is the Steering Idler. It is rarely lubricated, has no real reservoir for oil, and a poor seal at the bottom. I suggest releasing the ball joints that connect to the drop arm to check it for stiffness. Complete removal of the idler isn’t a difficult job and is the best way to clean and lubricate.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>The caster is pretty good on these cars (the initial design was good). Camber could go from positive to negative to be more compatible with radial tyres. Also check and minimise toe-in. This has a radical impact on steering feel when wrong (in either direction).<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>If after all that you still have problems, then go for the caster changes you have in mind and tell us about your findings. The Team may learn something.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>The only other aspect that seems to vary from car to car is bump steer. Some can be horrible on fast bumpies and others are on rails. I’ve never seen a decent treatise on dealing with this on our Big Healeys.<br>Have fun.<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Alan - from my iPad<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>On 6 Jan 2021, at 13:35, Team.net <<a href="mailto:lawrence.swift@gmail.com" target="_blank">lawrence.swift@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal>When I rebuilt the front end on my BT7, I had the trust bearings at the top of the kingpin replaced with bearings - made a huge difference in the ease of steering.<br><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal>On Jan 5, 2021, at 10:36 AM, Bob Spidell <<a href="mailto:bspidell@comcast.net" target="_blank">bspidell@comcast.net</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal>re: "The other two are factory fixed and too dangerous to play with or maintain...even if Kilmartin makes the parts"<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal>How so?<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal>On 1/4/2021 9:40 PM, <a href="mailto:gradea1@charter.net" target="_blank">gradea1@charter.net</a> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal>I'm with the philosophy "set the toe and let 'er blow" The 1/16-1/8" toe-in is most important for proper tire wear. The other two are factory fixed and too dangerous to play with or maintain...even if Kilmartin makes the parts. Hank<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal>_______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal>Support Team.Net <a href="http://www.team.net/donate.html" target="_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><o:p></o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal>Suggested annual donation $12.75<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal>Archive: <a href="http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys" target="_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys</a> <a href="http://autox.team.net/archive" target="_blank">http://autox.team.net/archive</a><o:p></o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:Healeys@autox.team.net" target="_blank">Healeys@autox.team.net</a><o:p></o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys" target="_blank">http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys</a><o:p></o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal>Unsubscribe/Manage: <a href="http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/lawrence.swift@gmail.com" target="_blank">http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/lawrence.swift@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></blockquote><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></blockquote><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><br>_______________________________________________<br>Support Team.Net <a href="http://www.team.net/donate.html" target="_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>Suggested annual donation $12.75<br><br>Archive: <a href="http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys" target="_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys</a> <a href="http://autox.team.net/archive" target="_blank">http://autox.team.net/archive</a><br><br><a href="mailto:Healeys@autox.team.net" target="_blank">Healeys@autox.team.net</a><br><a href="http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys" target="_blank">http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys</a><br><br>Unsubscribe/Manage: <a href="http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/bluehealey@gmail.com" target="_blank">http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/bluehealey@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>_______________________________________________<br>Support Team.Net <a href="http://www.team.net/donate.html" target="_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>Suggested annual donation $12.75<br><br>Archive: <a href="http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys" target="_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys</a> <a href="http://autox.team.net/archive" target="_blank">http://autox.team.net/archive</a><br><br><a href="mailto:Healeys@autox.team.net" target="_blank">Healeys@autox.team.net</a><br><a href="http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys" target="_blank">http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys</a><br><br>Unsubscribe/Manage: <a href="http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/fredwescoe@gmail.com" target="_blank">http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/fredwescoe@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div></div><div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br />
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