TR2/3/3A VERY wobbly TR3 - help needed!!!!

[CJD]

I see the difference...in the tires. No matter how many times I watch both videos, I see no motion between the wheels and the car bodies. The red car has low aspect ratio tires. The yellow car has VW Beetle tires. Interesting comparison, and you have confirmed again for me to never buy Firestones.

 

[Alphonso61]

They are in fact the same tyre size but presumably on wires there’s a 1/2” wider rim. The red car is older Firestones the yellow car nearly new.

I’ll accept the several comments on here about being fixated with tyres and that it may be a poor rebuild, axles shims (???) as although I’ve tried to explain the symptoms it’s sometimes not easy to convey the issue.

I’m often surprised in the US when British classic owners rely on a ‘body shop’ for stuff like this, just chuck it in there and by magic they fix whatever. Here in the UK a good classic owner wants to diagnose, fix and learn for himself exactly how these cars were put together and what might go wrong!!!

 

[NutmegCT]

Will be interesting for us to learn what your UK car club members think about the car and its problems.

 

[LarryK]

Would not buy it myself. Something is wrong and they probably want too much for a problem. Check MOT before you buy. Most of us on this forum fix and repair our own cars, so we a pretty familiar with what can be or not be.

 

[CJD]

"I’m often surprised in the US when British classic owners rely on a ‘body shop’ for stuff like this, just chuck it in there and by magic they fix whatever.


I have not let a mechanic or body man touch any of my cars in 50 years, and I assure you I am as versed in TR suspensions as anyone else your will run across. Perhaps you are expecting to much assessment from merely pushing on the side of a car? I have an entire wall of books covering a century of motorcar repair, but I cannot say I have ever read about pushing on the wing to diagnose anything. Give us more to work with and we can give you more help.

 

[DavidApp]

Referring to the axle shimming there are 2 spacers on the passenger side leaf spring to level the car as it is often driven solo.

David

 

[Alphonso61]

CJD: Aha a welcome and respected exception !
as regards testing the side push videos show the isuue well:
1. No body movement vs wheels so….
2. No body movement vs chassis….
3. No rocking so not shocks
4. Huge difference between red car and test car
Given your knowledge what could it ever be if not tyres???

 

[Alphonso61]

Referring to the axle shimming there are 2 spacers on the passenger side leaf spring to level the car as it is often driven solo.

David

The earlier post suspecting axle shims was (to put it mildly) way off the mark. They have as much chance of causing the wobbling as a missing hub cap

I’ll have a final diagnosis next week !!

 

[Hamish Racing]

Some of the uk feedback is here.

Unstable TR3 question - advice please.....

Hi I have been looking to but a very well restored TR3 (1957) but it is extremely unstable on the road. Investigating it, the springs and shocks are very good but pushing sideways on the rear wing causes the whole car to move, and the pushing repeatedly causes the car to oscillate with the front ...

www.tr-register.co.uk

 

[sp53]

I do not think he is going to find an answer that he wants either. Hopefully, he will purchase the car and find out how enjoyable the cars can be to work on, and how much he will learn by owning one. Hamish you are killing me.

I am kinda sorry if I sound unfriendly. What I noticed is when he pushes the red car his head does not move, but when he pushes the yellow car his whole head and body moves. Gotta be nothing worse than arguing with experts on a global stage, hopefully, he will find a sense of humor.



steve

 

[NutmegCT]

I've seen guys find an old car they want, but point out (or "invent") nebulous problems, trying to lower the price.

Just sayin'

 

[Alphonso61]

I've seen guys find an old car they want, but point out (or "invent") nebulous problems, trying to lower the price.

Just sayin'

I know what you mean there. Thankfully the issue in this case isn’t nebulous!

 

[NutmegCT]

I’ll have a final diagnosis next week !!

So, what's the final diagnosis?

 

[Alphonso61]

Not gone there yet - got back from holiday and half the house electrics have failed so trying to sort that out we think it’s rodent damage but where is a mystery. Miracle if I get there this week but fear not I will get to the bottom of it unless the guy sells it first!