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Re: [Healeys] BN2 Caster Angle

To: Fred Wescoe <fredwescoe@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Healeys] BN2 Caster Angle
From: Michael Salter <michaelsalter@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2021 10:55:25 -0500
Cc: Ahealey help <healeys@autox.team.net>
Delivered-to: mharc@autox.team.net
Delivered-to: healeys@autox.team.net
References: <7C3456D9-E760-47E9-B03E-33BB4DE8A6FD@gmail.com> <C1585EAC-1546-418D-8DA4-6C294FAE96FE@gmail.com> <CAPAC+V5HvLSRyyAXr9BBWssjUYmV70ET30mdcwE2Ud9qrOWEVg@mail.gmail.com>
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Think deeper Fred :-)

M

On Wed, Jan 6, 2021 at 10:38 AM Fred Wescoe <fredwescoe@gmail.com> wrote:

> Listers,
>
> I have looked at these top trunnion bearing kits over the years and
> considered installing them.  However, I simply cannot get my head wrapped
> around why replacing bearings at the top of the kingpin would reduce the
> weight of the car and improve steering.  It seems to me that all the weig=
ht
> of the car is pressed against the bottom of the kingpin.  To me, it seems
> replacing the top bearing would have no effect on the steering effort.  C=
an
> someone explain in simple language why this kit would work?
>
> Thanks, mystified,
>
> Fred
>
> 66 BJ8
>
> On Wed, Jan 6, 2021 at 9:49 AM Bluehealey <bluehealey@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> These are the ones.
>>
>> https://www.ahspares.co.uk/austin-healey/big-healey/suspension-front/top=
-trunnion-bearing-kit-pair.aspx
>> Well worth doing.
>> The other often overlooked source of heavy steering is the Steering
>> Idler. It is rarely lubricated, has no real reservoir for oil, and a poo=
r
>> seal at the bottom. I suggest releasing the ball joints that connect to =
the
>> drop arm to check it for stiffness. Complete removal of the idler isn=E2=
=80=99t a
>> difficult job and is the best way to clean and lubricate.
>> The caster is pretty good on these cars (the initial design was good).
>> Camber could go from positive to negative to be more compatible with rad=
ial
>> tyres. Also check and minimise toe-in. This has a radical impact on
>> steering feel when wrong (in either direction).
>> If after all that you still have problems, then go for the caster change=
s
>> you have in mind and tell us about your findings. The Team may learn
>> something.
>> The only other aspect that seems to vary from car to car is bump steer.
>> Some can be horrible on fast bumpies and others are on rails.  I=E2=80=
=99ve never
>> seen a decent treatise on dealing with this on our Big Healeys.
>> Have fun.
>> Alan - from my iPad
>>
>> On 6 Jan 2021, at 13:35, Team.net <lawrence.swift@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> =EF=BB=BFWhen I rebuilt the front end on my BT7, I had the trust bearing=
s at the
>> top of the kingpin replaced with bearings - made a huge difference in th=
e
>> ease of steering.
>>
>> On Jan 5, 2021, at 10:36 AM, Bob Spidell <bspidell@comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>> re: "The other two are factory fixed and too dangerous to play with or
>> maintain...even if Kilmartin makes the parts"
>>
>>
>> How so?
>>
>>
>> On 1/4/2021 9:40 PM, gradea1@charter.net wrote:
>>
>> I'm with the philosophy "set the toe and let 'er blow" The 1/16-1/8"
>> toe-in is most important for proper tire wear.  The other two are factor=
y
>> fixed and too dangerous to play with or maintain...even if Kilmartin mak=
es
>> the parts. Hank
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
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>>
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>> Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html
>> Suggested annual donation  $12.75
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>> Unsubscribe/Manage:
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>> _______________________________________________
> Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html
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>

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:comic sa=
ns ms,sans-serif;font-size:small">Think deeper Fred :-)</div><div class=3D"=
gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:comic sans ms,sans-serif;font-size:smal=
l"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:comic sans m=
s,sans-serif;font-size:small">M<br></div></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quot=
e"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Wed, Jan 6, 2021 at 10:38 AM Fr=
ed Wescoe &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:fredwescoe@gmail.com";>fredwescoe@gmail.com<=
/a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0=
px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><=
div dir=3D"ltr">Listers,<div><br></div><div>I have looked at these top trun=
nion bearing kits over the years and considered installing them.=C2=A0 Howe=
ver, I simply cannot get my head wrapped around why=C2=A0replacing bearings=
 at the top of the kingpin would reduce the weight of the car and improve s=
teering.=C2=A0 It seems to me that all the weight of the car is pressed aga=
inst the bottom of the kingpin.=C2=A0 To me, it seems replacing the top bea=
ring would have no effect on the steering effort.=C2=A0 Can someone explain=
 in simple language why this kit would work?</div><div><br></div><div>Thank=
s, mystified,</div><div><br></div><div>Fred</div><div><br></div><div>66 BJ8=
</div></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_=
attr">On Wed, Jan 6, 2021 at 9:49 AM Bluehealey &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:blueh=
ealey@gmail.com" target=3D"_blank">bluehealey@gmail.com</a>&gt; wrote:<br><=
/div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;bo=
rder-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir=3D"auto"><d=
iv dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr">These are the ones.<div><a href=3D"https://=
www.ahspares.co.uk/austin-healey/big-healey/suspension-front/top-trunnion-b=
earing-kit-pair.aspx" target=3D"_blank">https://www.ahspares.co.uk/austin-h=
ealey/big-healey/suspension-front/top-trunnion-bearing-kit-pair.aspx</a></d=
iv><div>Well worth doing.</div><div>The other often overlooked source of he=
avy steering is the Steering Idler. It is rarely lubricated, has no real re=
servoir for oil, and a poor seal at the bottom. I suggest releasing the bal=
l joints that connect to the drop arm to check it for stiffness. Complete r=
emoval of the idler isn=E2=80=99t a difficult job and is the best way to cl=
ean and lubricate.</div><div>The caster is pretty good on these cars (the i=
nitial design was good). Camber could go from positive to negative to be mo=
re compatible with radial tyres. Also check and minimise toe-in. This has a=
 radical impact on steering feel when wrong (in either direction).</div><di=
v>If after all that you still have problems, then go for the caster changes=
 you have in mind and tell us about your findings. The Team may learn somet=
hing.</div><div>The only other aspect that seems to vary from car to car is=
 bump steer. Some can be horrible on fast bumpies and others are on rails.=
=C2=A0 I=E2=80=99ve never seen a decent treatise on dealing with this on ou=
r Big Healeys.<br>Have fun.<br><div dir=3D"ltr">Alan - from my iPad</div><d=
iv dir=3D"ltr"><br><blockquote type=3D"cite">On 6 Jan 2021, at 13:35, Team.=
net &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:lawrence.swift@gmail.com"; target=3D"_blank">lawre=
nce.swift@gmail.com</a>&gt; wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote ty=
pe=3D"cite"><div dir=3D"ltr">=EF=BB=BF<span>When I rebuilt the front end on=
 my BT7, I had the trust bearings at the top of the kingpin replaced with b=
earings - made a huge difference in the ease of steering.</span><br><span><=
/span><br><blockquote type=3D"cite"><span>On Jan 5, 2021, at 10:36 AM, Bob =
Spidell &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:bspidell@comcast.net"; target=3D"_blank">bspid=
ell@comcast.net</a>&gt; wrote:</span><br></blockquote><blockquote type=3D"c=
ite"><span></span><br></blockquote><blockquote type=3D"cite"><span>re: &quo=
t;The other two are factory fixed and too dangerous to play with or maintai=
n...even if Kilmartin makes the parts&quot;</span><br></blockquote><blockqu=
ote type=3D"cite"><span></span><br></blockquote><blockquote type=3D"cite"><=
span>How so?</span><br></blockquote><blockquote type=3D"cite"><span></span>=
<br></blockquote><blockquote type=3D"cite"><span>On 1/4/2021 9:40 PM, <a hr=
ef=3D"mailto:gradea1@charter.net"; target=3D"_blank">gradea1@charter.net</a>=
 wrote:</span><br></blockquote><blockquote type=3D"cite"><blockquote type=
=3D"cite"><span>I&#39;m with the philosophy &quot;set the toe and let &#39;=
er blow&quot; The 1/16-1/8&quot; toe-in is most important for proper tire w=
ear.=C2=A0 The other two are factory fixed and too dangerous to play with o=
r maintain...even if Kilmartin makes the parts. Hank</span><br></blockquote=
></blockquote><blockquote type=3D"cite"><blockquote type=3D"cite"><span></s=
pan><br></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote type=3D"cite"><span></span><b=
r></blockquote><blockquote type=3D"cite"><span>____________________________=
___________________</span><br></blockquote><blockquote type=3D"cite"><span>=
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