Tr4aJim Posted May 10, 2020 Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 Folks, I’m reinstalling the leaf springs on my TR4a and hit a snag. I took the rear springs out to do a general clean-up, new U bolts, and fit poly bushes, etc. But my primary reason was to get rid of the “hot-rod” universal shackles that a PO had installed. I quickly found that only Rimmer Bros offered new TR4a shackles, so I ordered a set. Yesterday I started the reassembly, and it appears the new shackles don’t fit. With the leaf spring sitting on top of the rear wing mounting bracket (so it can’t go any lower), the center of spring eyelet is about 20mil above the center of the shackle upper pin. I can’t see any way to bring them together, so I’m guessing the shackles are too small. Searches for TR4a specific shackles come up zero (except Rimmer Bros), though a few sites list “fit TR3-TR4a”, but I’m pretty sure the TR4a ones are unique. So does anyone know the dimensions of the original shackles (center pin to center pin, and pin length)? Maybe if I know the dimensions I can search by size. It’s always something! Thanks Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
david ferry Posted May 10, 2020 Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 Jim. You’re after a rare thing, or at least the dimensions of a rare thing to find sitting around. Fortunately for you, I have one (pretty sure it’s not two) on a shelf in the workshop. Would you like it for the cost of postage and a donation to a charity? You’ll then have one to copy. David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tr4aJim Posted May 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 Thanks David! I forgot to mention in my post that I did send an email to Rimmer Bros explaining the problem. So let me wait until I hear back from them before accepting your offer. I also just found that the part they list on their web site for the TR4a shackle, is not the same part number they list in their paper catalogue. So I’m hoping that it turns out they sent the wrong part. Fingers crossed, Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted May 10, 2020 Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 1 hour ago, Tr4aJim said: Thanks David! I forgot to mention in my post that I did send an email to Rimmer Bros explaining the problem. So let me wait until I hear back from them before accepting your offer. I also just found that the part they list on their web site for the TR4a shackle, is not the same part number they list in their paper catalogue. So I’m hoping that it turns out they sent the wrong part. Fingers crossed, Jim I suspect they just sell the same part under the two different numbers Im afraid. I had the same problem when I rebuilt mine all those years ago not because of new shackles as I re-used the originals but because I fitted new springs and theyre much deeper dished than the originals, In the end I trimmed the bumper side brackets down on their top side to allow clearance. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 10, 2020 Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 (edited) Hi Jim, just for clarification. As you chaps in the USA still use the Mil dimension (20/1000th inch or 0.020") try to quote millimeter as mm. We in good old Englishland created the Mil but never use it. Either 20thou or 0.020 or even 0.5mm nearly) I assume form your pic you meant 20mm. Isn;t English a great language Edited May 10, 2020 by RogerH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pfenlon Posted May 10, 2020 Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 (edited) This may help? The 2 pins aren't welded in place either they can be punched out, should you need to. this is from my tr4, not 4A. Edited May 10, 2020 by pfenlon more info. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tr4aJim Posted May 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 (edited) Yeah Roger I only wish the spring was 0.0020 away! The center to pin center on the shackle I got from Rimmer Bros, and it’s 2 1/2 inches, very similar to yours Pete. Jim Edited May 10, 2020 by Tr4aJim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
david ferry Posted May 10, 2020 Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 Jim, Horrible thought. I think it may be the angled bracket on the chassis that I have. Not been there for ages but will check when I get there again, hopefully soon. David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul J Posted May 11, 2020 Report Share Posted May 11, 2020 Jim If you are still in need of a pair I should be able to help as I changed my 4A to IRS and have the redundant parts still. Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ricky30dk Posted May 11, 2020 Report Share Posted May 11, 2020 I also managed to not only purchase (from Bastuck) but also fit the wrong length shackles to mine - only came to light when I drove it to the workshop for it’s roadworthiness test - every bump in the road produced an awful bang from one rear wheel. Thankfully I kept the originals which solved the issue. I’m very glad to see I wasn’t the only one Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tr4aJim Posted May 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2020 Thanks Paul! I will PM you. David, thank you for your offer but I’ll try the set Paul has. Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 11, 2020 Report Share Posted May 11, 2020 5 hours ago, Paul J said: Jim If you are still in need of a pair I should be able to help as I changed my 4A to IRS and have the redundant parts still. Paul Please measure the distance between the pin centres and post your findings. It will help all those who come later. Peter W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul J Posted May 11, 2020 Report Share Posted May 11, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, BlueTR3A-5EKT said: Please measure the distance between the pin centres and post your findings. It will help all those who come later. Peter W The original spring shackles I have measure 31/4" between pin centres. Edited May 11, 2020 by Paul J added pic Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 12, 2020 Report Share Posted May 12, 2020 Thank you for the dimensions. Peter W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roy53 Posted May 12, 2020 Report Share Posted May 12, 2020 your chassis pictures show different set up to mine. Wing bracket to the rear away from the spring Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tr4aJim Posted May 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2020 Roy, that chassis appears to be a TR4, not a TR4A. The leaf spring attachment points are different, so the shackles are different as well. Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted May 12, 2020 Report Share Posted May 12, 2020 (edited) That's because your chassis is a TR4, quite different to a 4A. Bob. Jim beat me to it ! Edited May 12, 2020 by Lebro Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roy53 Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 My mistake should have read more clearly. Just saw the leaf spring and assumed 4 Roy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
david ferry Posted June 1, 2020 Report Share Posted June 1, 2020 Jim, Just got to the workshop and found that I do have a pair of the shackles you’re looking for. I do also have one of the angled chassis brackets for the front end of the spring. Let me know if you’re still interested in these. David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tr4aJim Posted June 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2020 Hello David. Thank you, but Paul J was able to sort me out. cheers Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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