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Triumph TR3 - Difficult

Greetings,

I'm examining a TR3A for possible purchase. The steering is quite heavy with an alarming degree of play. While I recognize the limitations of non-power-assisted vintage steering, I can't imagine this being characteristic of a "good handling" sports car.

Can anyone help me understand what I should expect to experience once proper adjustment and/or repair has been made to the steering?

Many thanks!

Bill Stagg
Bill Stagg

Bill - Check the TR3 lists about 4 down from your message called "Leaking Steering Box" where I may have already answered your problem. I have listed 4 options.

As for what to expect, you should not ask for less than my TR3A can do for me with reference to steering. I can drive mine 600 all day long and it tracks straight with no play and I don't get sore arms. Mine is all original except for the new adjusting peg kit I installed about 10 years ago.

Let us know what you decide to do.

Don Elliott, Original Owner, 1958 TR3A
Over 70,000 miles since my restoration in 1990
Don Elliott

Bill - Read that as 600 miles all day long. I drive on 2-lane roads all the time and on a trip back from Wisconsin/Minnesota, my average (while driving) worked out to 73 mph with the steering I have.

Don
Don Elliott

Don,

Thanks so much for your encouraging reply. This may, indeed, be a case of a steering box issue. I'm testing the car again tomorrow with a friend who has experience with TR3 handling. I have a few more questions to pose on this board, and I'll ask them in a separate thread.

Best regards,

Bill
Bill Stagg

Bill-The alarming play in the steering may be caused by the deterioration of the rubber in the silent block pins (Moss 667-040). This can cause about a 1/4 turn of free play in the steering wheel. Also, check for play in the idler. There are so many pivot points that wear in the steering system, that the total can add up to a gross amount of play. The heavy steering can be caused by lack of lubrication and mis-adjustment of the pre-load screw on top of the box. You might try putting the car on stands and have a co-conspirator turn the steering while you look for movement in the idler, silentblock pins, and tie rod ends. Good luck.
Berry

Re: "misadjustment of the pre-load screw on the top of the steering box", the kit I bought (see Leaking steering box thread lower down on this TR3 BBS) is really a spring-loaded pre-load screw as a kit to compensate for a worn worm inside the steering box.

Berry is right. If you need to check all the rubber parts with the car on jackstands - then tighten down the pre-load screw which should take away the sloppy steering when driving straight ie. when your steering wheel and tires are aimed straight ahead. But at the same time, while the car is up on jackstands, you'll want to turn the steering wheel to see if the steering gets tighter and tighter as you turn the steering wheel near the extremities. If it does, the worm is worn and the kit will correct this problem.

I found out and installed this kit after I had put in all the new rubber parts Berry mentions. The kit eliminated the final bit of sloppyness in the steering.

Don Elliott, 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

Berry and Don,

Thanks to both of you gentlemen for the continuing advice and guidance. I'm pleased to say today was a very good one in that agreement was reached regarding the purchase of the TR3A in question. I'm on my way, and excited as hell.

I'll report back on the steering after I've had a chance to check things out. Can't wait to bring this baby home and get to work.

Best regards,

Bill
Bill Stagg

Bill - I'm sure you will enjoy your TR. Today I drove mine top down (naturally) about 60 miles. It's only 36 F here today and overcast with blustery winds. But that's what they were made for. I haven't had my top up this summer except for 5 or 6 miles at the Mid-Ohio track when it poured and I was asked to drive Peggy Kastner on the parade laps of the track with 400 other Triumphs. Peggy is Kas Kastner's wife. Kas was the Competition Manager for Standard/Triumph from the mid 50's to mid 70's for USA. Oh yes I forgot to mentiopn that I've driven "TRusty" over 8400 miles so far this summer and all top down except for those 5 or 6 miles.

I have two suggestions when you lift your TR to examine the front steering from below.

1. First of all, use jackstands and test the car is solid on the stands before crawling under.

2. Make sure you are wearing your "Undercarments".

Don Elliott, 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

This thread was discussed between 18/10/2002 and 20/10/2002

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