[TR] leaf springs

[William Brewer]

Hi Andrew,
     I disagree with the guys that say to re-use your leaf springs.
     One day about 9 years ago I was driving home in my 1960 TR3A. I was
pulling away smartly from a stop sign when I thought I heard gun shots. Here
is hicksville it would be guys shooting at doves as opposed to a drive by
shooting. Anyway, after what sounded like 5 or six loud bangs my left rear
corner of my car feel down to about 1" off the ground. All of the leaves in
the spring had broken one on top of the other in the same place. If I had been
doing my usual Jabbeke Highway re-enactments it could have been fatal. I
should post a photo of it. I still have the broken leaf spring.
     Most TR
leaf springs didn't get their recommended yearly oiling. Even now I bet most
of us still don't lube our springs like we should. Chances are that your 50
year old springs are already abused and waiting for a good time to give out. I
recommend that anyone restoring a TR3 change out the springs. It is not that
expensive or time consuming, especially if the body is off. I would also put
in an A.R.E. solid bronze bushing kit for the rear of the spring. I think that
he calls it the "Axel locating kit" or something like that.
     My car is
quite a bit more solid feeling after installing new springs.
     Good luck.
Remember if you ask three different guys you'll get 5 opinions. Be safe.
     -Bill in Tehachapi


From: "Andrew Uprichard" <auprichard at uprichard.net>
To: <triumphs at autox.team.net>
Subject: [TR] leaf springs
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<00ee01ce5b1a$c5daa100$518fe300$@uprichard.net>
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What is the collective wisdom on re-using leaf springs ? 
I am restoring a
TR3 which I acquired disassembled with springs which look
like they were
cleaned and repainted.  I have heard everything from "always
replace" to
"stand on them and if they don't hit the ground, you're OK" !
Andrew Uprichard