TR2/3/3A Rebuilding a TR3A front end

[karls59tr]

I'm an average DIY mechanic who is going to replace the trunnions and bushings on the front end of my "3" this Spring as it is the last thing required in my rolling restoration mechanical end of things.I've got the Haynes manual and feel fairly confident that I can handle the project. I'm going to tackle one side at a time. Anybody on this board done this and have any advice on any potential problems I may run into or general words of wisdom. I bought the TRF bushing kit off Ebay....made in India...is the quality up to par? The new Moss catalogue has Prothane Bushings for the Upper control arms that look much better than those in the kit. Would I be further ahead to include these in the rebuild rather than what's in the kit. Cheers Karl

 

[TR4nut]

Karl-

I did that on my TR4 last year, I think you'll have no trouble.

First basic advice - make sure you make or buy an adequate spring compressor.

I assume you will also replace the bushings on the lower arms? Those inserts do need to reamed to fit to the trunnions. Opinions will vary, but I did it myself with an inexpensive reamer and was happy with the results.

TRF trunnions: I bought them (the later 3 degree castor version) and am very happy with the quality.

TRF thrust washers on trunnions: For some reason, the ones TRF sold me were thin - I miked them and they were actually slightly thinner than the old ones. I didn't realize it until I made up the trunnion and then saw that the castle nut almost threaded too far onto the trunnion. I bought replacements from Moss, and they were thicker and worked well. It may have been a one time thing with TRF but the moral of the story is check the washer thickness first before assembly.

I stayed with stock rubber bushings for now but will watch how they last - I don't think they are too hard to change out later if needed.

Good luck!
Randy

 

[PeterK]

I won't put anything from India on my car because of quality control issues - maybe it's just me but when I received thrust washers from India, I sent them back. Some parts good, some not so.

I have Prothane red on my TR3 upper arms and the quality is second to none. Make sure to get their poly grease for assembly. It's sticky as snot but made for poly bushings.