Joe, if you remove the spring compressor the vertical link will be tight
due to loading of the link and ball joint. Try jacking up from under
the spring pan using the flat part of a 2x4, far enough to relieve
spring pressure. The vertical link should swing nicely although it may
still be a little stiff due to new parts. I would drive the car for
awhile, then test it again to see if things have broken in.
If its still stiff, someone once told me that their particular problem
was caused by a bent vertical link, such that the top of the link where
the ball joint goes thru would move around laterally as you turned the
link as in steering the car. You could test this by jacking up the
spring pan and CAREFULLY releasing the ball joint and watch for
eccentricity as you swivel the vertical link.
Of course, go back and double check your work. Have you oiled the
trunnion yet? Make sure everything went back together ok. Also make
sure that the upper fulcrum pin went in with the correct orientation.
If you're not sure I believe it should be oriented with the curved side
facing the engine. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong!
John - 1976 TR6
Joe wrote:>
I've installed the front suspension with the exception of the hubs and
wheels. I was shocked to discover that after I removed the spring
compressor, I could hardly move the vertical link assembly back and
forth (as
in steering the car). I re-compressed the spring, and when the spring
was
loaded, the suspension moved through its normal axis smooth enough,
although
somewhat tight. I don't have the steering rack in, but without a doubt,
there is no way that I could turn the wheels with the steering wheel
without
the springs being loaded up. I recall being able to easily move the
wheels
through their full range of motion with the car jacked up before. Have I
done
something terribly wrong?
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