As a lurker, I see some discussion on the front suspension of the TR6,
especially the trunnion and pivot bolt. I would here offer my observation
for what it is worth: When assembling the lower wishbone assembly, (I) made
sure the pivot bolt did not move within the bore of the trunnion, and here
is my theory: The wishbone should rotate around the steel bearing sleeve,
but the pivot bolt must not rotate within the trunnion. The reasoning is
that movement of the harder bolt within the trunnion will wear the trunnion
bore oval shaped. Also, if the trunnion were to wear the bolt, a stress
riser would be present where the groove existed in the bolt. This could
lead to failure of the bolt, and a separation of the wishbone assembly from
the vertical link, which is not a good thing Martha!
Referring to volume 1 of The Roadster Factory catalogue, plate DD, I believe
that the pivot bolt clamps the outer steel thrust washer to the steel
bearing (distance piece) to another steel thrust washer, to the trunnion,
and then to a reverse assembly on the other side of the trunnion. The nylon
bearing and associated parts remain stationary to the wishbone, and the
trunnion and thrust washers, along with the pivot bolt remain stationary to
themselves. As the suspension moves from droop to rebound, the wishbones
pivot with their nylon bearing surface on the steel distance piece, and the
pivot bolt/trunnion assembly experiences no movement among their parts. I
needed to adjust the distance from the outer "lips" of the nylon bearings to
the steel thrust washers to achieve a free moving assembly.(limited
clearance) When the pivot bolt is clamped securely, and the spring and
shock were removed, I was able to raise and lower the suspension freely and
by hand. As the suspension moves up and down, you will see the trunnion and
pivot bolt remain stationary to each other, and the pivoting occurs between
the nylon bearing and the sleeve it fits over.
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