[TR] Silent blocks?

[THOMAS FANSHER]

Mine came today direct from Joe. He and TRF are the same price and shipping 
was included.
Tom

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Randall" <tr3driver at ca.rr.com>
To: <triumphs at autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, November 03, 2007 2:42 PM
Subject: Re: [TR] Silent blocks?


>> 3) Replaced the "Silentblocs" with free-turning pivots.
>>
>> I have seen these mentioned several times.  Forgive my
>> ignorance but what are they, where are they, and what is
>> their function?
>
> 'Silentbloc' is actually a generic term, but in this case refers to the
> joint between the center link (aka center tie rod) and Pitman arm (aka 
> drop
> arm), plus the joint between the center link and the idler arm (aka idler
> lever).  They consist of a center steel pin and an outer steel sleeve, 
> with
> rubber bonded between the two steel parts.  The design forces the rubber 
> to
> distort as you turn the steering wheel from side to side.  Only found on 
> the
> TR2-3B (Mayflower, etc.), not the later cars with R&P steering.
>
> My goal was simply to find something that would last a bit longer, as mine
> seemed to fail in just a few years.  However, it may be that the 
> replacement
> design also lowers steering effort, since those rubber sleeves no longer
> have to distort as you turn the wheel.
>
> The ones I used last time came from British Frame and Engine (who I 
> believe
> got them from Racetorations in the UK).  They have a steel center pin that
> rides in a brass bushing.  Still available, still kind of pricey 
> ($100/pair
> on
> http://www.britishframeandengine.com/parts1.html )
>
> However, Joe Alexander (aka ARE) has decided to reproduce them using 
> Delrin
> instead of brass.  I've heard you can order these direct from TRF now, but
> don't seem to find them on their website ... maybe someone else can chime 
> in
> with a TRF part number & price.  I got mine directly from Joe by emailing
> him at N197TR3 at cs.com .  Sorry, I'm not sure of the price (I traded him 
> some
> other parts he needed), but it's substantially less than the unit from
> BFE/Racetorations.