[TR] Changing TR3 Rear Leaf Springs

[tom white]

Changing rear leaf springs can be done without jacking up the car or drilling
holes in the body.  The pivot bolt for the front of the spring has a hole in
it"s head.  I believe it is a 5/16 fine thread but double check that.  Clean
the hole thoroughly with brake cleaner and blow it out with an air hose.  Then
run a tap into it to clean up the threads.

Remove the outside nut from the pivot bolt with a 3/4" box end wrench.  Then
thread a 5/16" fine thread bolt into the head of the pivot bolt getting it
firmly tight.  You cannot rotate the pivot bolt since it has a flat index on
the frame boss, do not attempt to turn it.  Use a pulling device to apply
pressure to the bolt in the pivot bolt.  I use the forked end of a small crow
bar, use your imagination.  If the pivot bolt is rusted in and will not move
heat it with a torch until you hear it "pop".  Then it will move under
reasonable pressure.

Upon reassembly coat the pivot bolt liberally with anti-sieze.

When you get the old springs out I would like to purchase the short leaves
from both springs.  Email me off list.

Best regards,
Tom

> Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 16:14:58 -0700
> From: wsb1960tr3a at att.net
> To: triumphs at autox.team.net
> Subject: [TR] Changing TR3 Rear Leaf Springs
>
>      So I was in my TR3 pulling away from a stop sign when I heard something
like four shot gun blasts in rapid succession and the left rear corner of the
car dropped several inches. I got out and found that 4 leaves on the springs
had broken at the leading edge of the lowest short spring leaf. I was
fortunate to have not been doing one of my land speed record runs...
>      Has anyone done a write-up on how to change out the leaf springs? I did
a write-up years ago on how to change out floor pans.
>      Unless you want to drill a hole in the body just aft of the doors, is
it possible to change them out without lifting the body off of the frame?
>      If you want to jack up the car body off of the frame, leaving the
forward most mounting bolts loose as pivots, what do you need to connect
first? Any idea how long this all takes?
>      TIA,
>
>      Bill Brewer
>      Tehachapi, CA
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