roger murray-evans Posted March 27, 2019 Report Share Posted March 27, 2019 At some point I need to address the inherent difficiencies in the chassis of my 1953 TR.It does not have the flitch plates in the centre cruciform and also is blessed with the, as yet unfractured, early damper brackets. Anyone have suggestions for a simple fix for the damper brackets, and will any flitch plates i fit (to original pattern) make any fundamental difference, especially as I'd only want to bolt them on. Thankyou Roger M-E Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ianc Posted March 27, 2019 Report Share Posted March 27, 2019 Miraculous that the damper brackets have not fractured as the bracing on the early cars was pathetic. Ideally, you need a pair of braces from the top of the bracket right down as far as the bottom edge of the chassis, welded almost all the way. Better still (if space for them), two pairs of braces. However, with the standard lever arms there might not be space for pairs. Photo shows bracing for the larger lever arm dampers fitted to the Works TR4 Rally cars. Ian Cornish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Adrian Fuller Posted March 27, 2019 Report Share Posted March 27, 2019 From my experience with a TR3a I think these brackets would foul against the bodywork of TR3A. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted March 27, 2019 Report Share Posted March 27, 2019 +1 Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roger murray-evans Posted March 27, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2019 Ian, I think Bob and Adrian may well be correct on clearance. Its a very tight fit especially the forward damper bolt mountings, but I think that I could usefully tweek your design into something slimmer that will hopefully do the trick. I assume TR3s used something broadly similar in concept? I enquired of Revington if they had anything suitable but was directed to parts somewhat more usefull for off road use, and with an awful lot of stuff I don't need. Roger M-E Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted March 27, 2019 Report Share Posted March 27, 2019 Roger the Tr3 has a pair of very shallow u channel reinforcements on the rear....same place as the TR4 as shown by Ian tr3 but much more slim and not going below the chassis lip. As per this photo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
2long Posted March 27, 2019 Report Share Posted March 27, 2019 If the chassis brackets are not damaged I would recommend leaving them, but making sure the mounting bolt system is modified a bit to keep it really snug. The dampers tend to work loose and that stresses the bracket. This was the progression: Cheers Dan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted March 28, 2019 Report Share Posted March 28, 2019 Revington used to offer a slimmer version of the strengthening brackets that Ian Cornish’s post shows. I fitted some when I rebuilt my TR3a. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ianc Posted March 28, 2019 Report Share Posted March 28, 2019 You could enquire of Colin Matthews (CTM), as he provides strengthening kits as well as complete chassis. Ian Cornish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roger murray-evans Posted March 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2019 Thanks everyone. I should be able to sort out something from all your suggestions. Dan, which publication was your attachment of the differing damper brackets from? I'd like to get hold of a copy for future reference. Roger M-E Quote Link to post Share on other sites
2long Posted March 28, 2019 Report Share Posted March 28, 2019 .The publication was an article by John Rabson, A.M.I. Mech.E., called "A Triumph of Development", published in two parts in Autocar Magazine, April 9 and April 22, 1955. The photo was from part II. Cheers Dan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roger murray-evans Posted March 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2019 Thankyou Dan! Roger M-E Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted March 30, 2019 Report Share Posted March 30, 2019 (edited) You might find even more guff here in the Technical Service Bulletins - Thanks to Teri-Ann. http://tr3a.info/Service_sheets.htm November 1954 gives dimension of rear shock bracket upgrade. Good bedtime reading anyway. Peter W Edited March 30, 2019 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
david ferry Posted March 30, 2019 Report Share Posted March 30, 2019 No problem beefing up the lever arm brackets on a post TS60000 sidescreen car. David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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