Paul:
Do NOT proceed any further. The strength of the spring can cause serious
damage if it lets lose. Put back all the castle nuts. Once all is back in
place, first remove the shock absorber from inside the spring. Remove the
lock nut and nut from the top of the shock on the outer side of the tower.
This will then allow the shock to compress and you can remove the rubber
rebound plate and then the 4 nuts that hold the cross bolts for the bottom
of the shock to the pan. Pull out the shock. Now, with the shock removed,
the spring compression can occur, but it is done from inside the spring, not
the outside of the spring. TRF makes this tool but I will let another
lister provide details of how to construct one on your own if you do not
want to buy it (my Triumph club has one for members, which is what I used).
Once you compress the spring, the pan nuts can come off and your clearance
issue will be resolved. Some maneuvering will be needed, but I used a large
screw driver to help move the plate for clearance.
Scott Suhring
Mechanicsburg, PA
'70 TR6
'59 TR3
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-triumphs@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-triumphs@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Paul Dorsey
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 8:06 AM
To: triumph list
Subject: procedure for shock removal
Dissasembly of my front suspension has been difficult on my 60 TR3A and I
wonder if this list might know of an easier way to remove shocks- (I've
never
done this before, and I doubt if I want to ever do it again!). Already in
my
attempt on only one side of the car's front:
1) I finally have removed all 6 castle nuts holding the spring pan to the
lower wishbone arms, however, the two studs closest to the engine don't want
to come out AND don't seem to have room to do so. Is releasing the coil
spring tension here semi-dangerous? But, is there another way?
2) Secondly, how do folks get out those four 9/16" nuts holding the lower
shock attachment plate to the spring pan? Two of the bolts are covered up?
3) Since the shock is currently inplace, I've been forced to use an JUST ONE
external coil spring remover. It looks as if I'll be squeezing the coil
spring against the spring pan. Is this the way to do that?
(4) Is there a way to test the shock? (I think it's only got 55thou miles on
it).
Thanks,
Paul Dorsey
60 TR3A
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