Re: Bushes - Amazing!

["David Greed" <greed@domain.elided>]

Chris

Rear end twitch affects many Triumphs... One of the main reasons seems to be
worn splines on the half-shafts.

On my Stag, a previous owner has fitted half-shafts from a Datsun 180B or
200B. These have ball-bearings inside the splines which prevent the binding
of the standard shafts. All that is needed to fit them is to machine the
yokes of flanges from a saloon (for some reason these have more meat than
the Stag equivalent) so that they will accept the universal joint from the
180B shaft. The shaft is almost the same length as the Triumph Saloon / Stag
item.

The result is amazing - no twitch and the new shaft does not knock when the
suspension is fully extended the same as the Triumph ones can.

Not for the purist I suppose, but if the car drives better... My 2500S will
be getting the same treatment soon...


David Greed
1974 Stag Man O/D
1979 2500S Man O/D


Email: Home: greed@domain.elided
 Work: david.greed@domain.elided
.
----- Original Message -----
From: Fereday, Chris <chris.fereday@domain.elided>
To: 'Stag1' <stag@domain.elided>; 'Stag2' <stag@domain.elided>
Sent: Wednesday, 2 June 1999 04:06
Subject: Bushes - Amazing!


> Hi All,
>
> I bought my Stag a year ago, and as it was over 150 miles from my home, I
> drove it back to Peterborough. It was on this trip that I noticed the
'wishy
> washy handling'. I pulled into a petrol station to check the tyre
pressures
> and was horrified to find they ranged between 10 and 14 psi...
> Confident that it was now sorted out I set off again. All seemed well,
until
> I started to go negotiate a roundabout. It was here that I first
experienced
> the dreaded 'rear end twitch'. For the rest of the trip, care was taken
> whenever a roundabout appeared. My father in law, who was my co-pilot on
> this trip, was beginning to experience some 'rear end twitch of his own' -
> if you catch my drift...
> Looking around the car, a week or so later, I discovered that two of the
> tyres were remoulds - with good tread, and the other 2 were HR rated, but
> balder than Kojak. 4 new tyres (195/70 HR 14) and £200 later, the handling
> appeared much improved until I reached another roundabout. Once again the
> rear-end twitch appeared, but a little more controllable.
> During winter, the car sat in the garage whilst I replaced the steering
> rack, attended to several oil leaks, replaced burnt out wiring and
replaced
> missing parts. Spring arrived and at the first sign of good weather I took
> to the roads. Once more the 'back end' performed its party piece. Enough
was
> enough and I reached for the phone.
> I booked the Stag into E.J.Wards in Leicester. They advised me that the
> bushes were likely to be the culprit, but would re-work the whole 'rear
end'
> where necessary. Looking at the car, they were surprised to see new
springs,
> dampers and evidence of recent work. They replaced the bushes but used the
> polyurethane versions from SuperFlex and greased the splined shafts. They
> also fitted a new seal on the diff nose, replaced the rear brake cylinders
> (both sides) and fitted new brake shoes. All this for £240.
> I picked up the car and headed for the nearest roundabout. The experience
> was amazing! I cannot believe how much difference they have made. I have
> even tried to make the car 'break away' under heavy cornering, but there
> isn't the slightest hint of rear end twitch. The quality if the work is
> excellent too!
> In conclusion, I would highly recommend this to any Stag owner. The ride
> does not appear harsh, and in comparison to my previous 12 months of
> ownership, the car is a real joy to own and drive. Furthermore, I don't
> believe that the extra expense of opting for the BMW rear diff arrangement
> is totally necessary under a standard setup - i.e. Stag motor and gearbox
if
> you have this work is carried out. Uprated engines are obviously a
different
> matter...
> When you consider the conditions under which I first drove the car (and
> which the previous owner had been using it), its a wonder I bought the car
> at all!
>
> BTW - Bit disappointed with SOC. Went to Elton Hall Classic Car show on
> Monday only to find that they were only there on the Sunday. The organiser
> did ask me if I wanted to represent them on their behalf, but I
declined...
>
> IMHO
> Chris
>
>
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