Slow Progress

[prlee]

Been running the car for a few weeks now and there are a number of things I am not happy with.

First the seat, I replaced the rubber straps becuase of lack of support, I now find the seat gives too much lumber support and is uncomfortable. This weekend I have replaced the rubber diaphragm which has improved things - at least the support is in the right plac now, but still too much so I am going to put the old horizontal strap back.

The suspension is too firm, I have backed off the AVO's to about 1/3 which has improved things, the AVO's will have to go during the winter as they can bottom out. It seems strange that if I try and bounce the rear it only rises slowly, which must be the shocks.

The front does seem to ride too high, I fitted 200LB lowered springs and they seem higher than the originals by about an inch. I am suspecting the suspension needs to be slackened off and retightened with the full weight of the car, something I struggled to do orignally. I need to find method to allow better access.

Pete
81 DHC (MOT and tax, nearly finished)
79 Spitfire (big hole found in floor)

[prlee]

Replaced the lumber support strap, the old one was a little shorter but more elastic. The seat feels better but the lumber support still seems a little too much, I am wondering if I have over tightend the cotton straps that give the seat its shape.

I have measured the front sprinngs fitted length, 7" both sides, I was expecting nearer 6", is this correct?

Thought I would loosen the Control arm and ARB mountings, bounce the car, put it on ramps and retighten, any other suggestions.



Pete
81 DHC (MOT and tax, nearly finished)
79 Spitfire (big hole found in floor)

[FI Spyder]

The lowered high rate springs may be higher than originals because they old ones have set (collapsed some). Because I was bottoming on every speed bump I changed out the old front springs and shocks with standard springs and KYB gas and no longer bottom out (if careful). Rear is originals springs and old Koni shocks. Ride height is about the same (not high as compared to Yellow TCT's originals). Distance from ground to high point of wing (fender) opening is 23 3/4" (easiest way to measure ride height). Ride is hard as I have hard black poly on front and higher tire pressure all around on 185 13" wheels.

I can't see new rear seat rubber giving too much lumbar support so maybe seat flaps can affect it. Never thought of that being a problem.

Car should be resting on wheels so car should be on ramps so you can get under it to torque suspension. I believe those with adjustable shocks tend to set them light. My thought is as they wear out you can always adjust them heavier although I personally haven't had adjustable shocks since I had adjustable Koni's on my Javelin.


TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[prlee]

Thanks,

I have been thinking about going back to the original springs, but the front was so soft.

I don't think the springs are any firmer than my my modern car but the ride is much more comfortable, so I think the shocks are the thing to look at.

I will try retorquing the front later this week.

Pete
81 DHC (MOT and tax, nearly finished)
79 Spitfire (big hole found in floor)

[moestr7v8]

Hi Pete I have sent you an e-mail
Cheers
Moe

[prlee]

Car felt a lot better today, the seat was a lot better this morning and the suspension felt quite good. Seat was not so good when I kept a coat on (little nippy with the roof down).

Measured the ride height floor to wheel arch, came in at 24" for what should be a lowered ride height.

Pete
81 DHC Back on the road and running in
79 Spitfire (big hole in the floor)

[prlee]

I went down to my folks place today mainly to work on the Spitfire which is kept there while off the road, they have a lot more space than I have.

While there I decided to work on the TR7 front ride height. With the TR7 on flat gound I remeasured the height to the wing, came out at about 24.75", a bit higher then when I tried to measure them before in the dark.

Couldn't find the old ramps we used have so with the car on the level ground I loosened off the arb clamps. I then bounced the car and drove it back and forth a few times braking sharply. I repeated this a few times over a couple of hours. I remeasured the height, 24.5", I was a bit disapointed with only a small change.

I tightened everything up and came home. I might be imagining it but the car felt much better, the ride seemed much smoother and potholes seemed to send less of a thud through the car and there seemed to be less jarring through the steering. So perhaps I have improved things. I will keep and eye on the ride height to see if it starts to settle.

Mean time the throttle cable seems to be getting stiff, this is very annoying because it is impossible to make gentle adjustments. I will remove it and check it over tomorrow.

Pete
81 DHC Back on the road and running in
79 Spitfire (big hole in the floor)

[PeterTR7V8]

Interesting observation regarding the ride. With the cable, release it at both ends & see how easily it slides through the housing/sheath. When mine breaks I replace it with a bicycle brake cable. It comes with a lead stopper at one end which fits nicely into the pedal holder & I just push it thru the cable sheath to the carb.



The map: http://tinyurl.com/wedgemap . The blog: http://www.forum.triumphtr7.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8548

[prlee]

Thanks Peter,

I checked the cable this morning, the sticky bit is at the pedal end. I noticed that half of the plastic clip that holds the cable to the bodywork was missing, I rotated the clip 180 degrees it seems fine now, the cable is still held firmly to the body.

Looks like the cable was wearing the plastic clip/bush so I will keep an eye on it.

Pete
81 DHC Back on the road and running in
79 Spitfire (big hole in the floor)