Anything and everything Herald. Talk about anything from the first 948s to the last 13/60s.
My 1200 convertible has a noticeable 'list' to the nearside when viewed from the rear. In fact their is 40mm difference in road height.
I have replaced the rear shocks, but this has made no difference. The rear spring on inspection appears in tact.
I have been told that 'Heralds are prone to this problem, and not to concern myself too much.
I would be grateful for any ideas, solution or experience of this problem
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Posted By : John Davies, 05-Jan-2004,
07:09pm
Dean,
This is endemic to Spitfires and if you search for "Spitfire sag" or similar, I'm sure you'll find lots of advice. One unexpected cause is a warped
FRONT antiroll bar (if Heralds have ARBs - I can't remember!)
John
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Posted By : William Davies, 05-Jan-2004,
08:26pm
Hi Denis,
This is more often a problem with Spitfires than with Heralds, though it's by no means unheard of. I would suggest parking the car on level ground and
then jacking up the front and rear ends in turn. The car should level itself with one of the ends off the ground, the raised end being the one at
fault. My first guess would be a seized rear trunnion or a fault with the rear spring, probably a broken leaf, but there are plenty of other potential
causes.
John has mentioned a twist in the front anti-roll bar. This is usually a problem with MkIV and 1500 Spitfires with the swing spring rear end. The
reduced roll resistance of this setup allows the anti-roll bar to dictate the attitude at which the car sits when stationary. This is only likely to
show up on a Herald which has been retro fitted with a swing spring conversion, a popular modification.
Other areas to investigate include the front spring assemblies and general suspension alignment. Worst case would be a twisted chassis,
Cheers,
Bill.
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Posted By : David Rumens,
05-Jan-2004, 09:01pm
I agree with Bill that it sounds like it could be the Springs and or Trunnions causing the problem.
It may be worth checking that the plate and studs holding the rear spring to the diff are not loose.
I wonder if you have problems with tyre wear as this would indicate Trunnions, Tracking and a number of other things.
Regards
Dave
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Posted By : Steve Cureton, 05-Jan-2004,
09:49pm
Was the car like this when you bought it? There's a possibilty that an outrigger has been replaced but not welded in correct alignment which will cause
one side to hang low. Careful measurement from various datum points should help identify the outrigger/s at fault.
The other horrible possibilty is that part of the chassis has collapsed through corrosion but I suspect you would be aware of anything that drastic.
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Posted By : Denis Howarth, 07-Jan-2004,
07:35pm
Thanks to members Steve,Bill,David and John for your thoughts and advice on hy problem.
In answer to some of the points made by you all -
1.No their is no evidence of excessive tyre wear
2.The car was not like this when purchased approx.6 years ago
3.The chassis & outriggers are in good shape, & has not required any restoration work
I wonder if the answer as suggested may lie with the trunnions ?. Any ideas what is involved, maybe I should try lubricationas I have not done this
during ownership. Can you advise please.
Many thanks
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Posted By : William Davies,
08-Jan-2004, 10:05am
Hi Denis,
Lubricating the trunnions will actually apply grease to the wheelbearing, certainly necessary but it won't help with the car leaning to one side.
This would be caused by seisure of the trunnion bushes, a consumable component which will need periodic replacement, 6 years is certainly at the
outside of their life expectancy. These bushes include a hardened steel tube with a bolt running through it. Once these corrode together I'm afraid
it's a slow job with a hacksaw, axle off the car and held in a vice. When re-assembling be sure to apply plenty of copper grease to the bolt to
prevent seizure in future.
Parts at least are cheap, the trunnion bush kit will cost about £3.50 per side, but budget for new bolts,nuts and washers for the
job.
Cheers,
Bill.
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Posted By : Denis Howarth, 08-Jan-2004,
12:25pm
Hi Bill
Thanks for that info.
I think this will have to wait a couple of months for warmer climate, but meanwhile I can aquire the bits and pieces in readiness.
Thanks again
As an aside Bill, what is the theory behind this diagnosis. ie. why does a seized trunnion cause the rear end to list ?
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Posted By : William Davies,
08-Jan-2004, 04:07pm
Hi Denis,
The trunnion bush forms a pivot as part of the rear suspension. Seizure prevents the suspension from settling properly, so it could be
holding one side up or the other side down, or both. Of course your lean may be nothing to do with this, but it's work that needs doing in
any case so it's a good starting point. While the suspension's apart check for any broken leaves in the rear spring,
Cheers,
Bill.