Steering shaft play and sump bolt.

[cappedup]

Hello. 1st post. Trailered home a 74, Sapphire blue yesterday. After this morning in the DMV the 1st real run out was an absolute joy. Located Putnam County, NY.

 

121k miles, but the previous owner has spared no expense on garage parts and maintenance. While the exterior is certainly shabby it suits me just fine and seems to run incredibly smoothly. Everything that should work, works.

 

I'm spanner happy and have given it a fairly close look over. Two things jump out.

 

The last steering splined joint has play in/out. This lets the steering wheel move about 1/8". Ive never seen a splined joint that doesn't clamp tight. Should I be looking into that further?

 

The center rear sump bolt is stripped. Sump leaks a small amount and found it checking how tight they were. Not convinced its the source of the leak, but it needs sorting anyway. Are there any recommendations of how to tackle? Drill and retap a bigger hole I'm guessing. Any advice on how oversize to go?

 

I have a catalogue from Moss. Getting together a list of bits. Pretty much anything that is rubber and not essential to the mechanics of the engine is shot to bits. Under hood seals, door/window seals etc. Not instantly seeing everything I need from Moss, is there a better supplier?

 

Very excited to own this car. Right now its got 101 jobs to do, if I choose to do them.

[boxofbits]

Hi

 

You will certainly need to replace the lower steering coupling by the sound of it, and to be honest I would say don't drive it until it's replaced. You've already got play and it could give out just when you don't need it ! I believe they are available new, but I fitted a good condition Mk2 Escort coupling on my 4A, so an option if you can't get one ( sorry haven't checked).

 

The centre rear sump bolt as you say is probably not the cause of any major leak, but you could drop the sump, drill and fit a helicoil thread. Have you tried another bolt, as it might be shorter than the standard bolt or worn?

 

Moss are a large supplier and hold most parts. I wouldn't say there is a better supplier in terms of availability, but as an option there is the TR Shop, Revingtons, and Rimmers who are quite popular.

 

Hope you enjoy!

 

Kevin

[graeme]

Hi and welcome to the TR Forum and TR ownership. I see that you are in NY, USA. The majority of posters here are from Europe but we do have a few from North America.

 

I assume when you mention Moss, that you mean Moss Motors, which is a separate company from Moss Europe. Check both websites.

 

For alternative US supply try:

 

TRF http://www.the-roadster-factory.com/indexmain.php

BPNW https://www.bpnorthwest.com/triumph.html

Victoria British http://www.victoriabritish.com/triumph/

 

There is also specialist suppliers like Wishbone Classics http://www.wishboneclassics.com/ and Richard Good http://www.goodparts.com/

 

As Kevin suggests, replace the lower splined coupling with a Ford Escort one which are better than the Triumph part.

 

Cheers

 

Graeme

Edited August 15, 2017 by graeme

[Geko]

The clamps on TR4/A and upper clamp on TR6 (#65) are notorious for not camping tight enough due to manufacturing fault. There's a clever little mod made by RogerH which consist of grinding the clamp as per the picture below. I would check the status of yours.

Edited August 15, 2017 by Geko

[RogerH]

Hi ,

welcome to the forum.

 

As mentioned try a longer 5/16UNC screw in the hole that is stripped.

If that fails then remove the sump and fit a helicoil http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-16-UNC-Helicoil-Thread-Repair-Kit-Race-Rally-Design-/321677426254?epid=1288717226&hash=item4ae577fe4e:g:SN4AAOSw0vBUdcN1

 

Are your steering UJ's of the rubber doughnut design or the all metal style.

If it is a rubber dough nut then see the pics below for a simple mod. You need only cut away one side of the clamping arm

If it is an all steel UJ then you may need to replace it.

 

Roger

 

 

Edited August 15, 2017 by RogerH

[cappedup]

Amazing, thanks for the welcome guys.

 

I wondered about grinding the steering coupling, wanted to check here if it was supposed to be floating (oddly, for some reason). TBH I haven't even had a spanner on it yet, which is my first job. I'm back in the UK for a few weeks now so might just track down an Escort Mk2 one and take it back to NY. (Yes, it's not driving til thats done now, thanks)

 

Great idea trying a longer sump bolt, might be that there are usable threads which aren't being hit. Will try a longer 5/16".

 

I've now found what I need from the Moss Motors catalogue. Ill shoot them an email to confirm a couple of things. It's all there, I just wasn't looking hard enough

 

I'm looking to fit 2 x 3 point retractable seat belts to replace the original 3 point and passenger lap belt. This seems to be ticket http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=51142&SortOrder=10Has anyone experience of this kit? anything to be aware of?

Edited August 15, 2017 by cappedup