The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

I know, I know, this has been discussed before and I have trawled the archive to try and get a definitive answer without success. The steel top plates on the rear spring/dampers of my 1850HL are tapered. I have installed them with the taper (shallowest part) to the front, but reading the archive there are many suggestions as to what is correct. Please, somebody, tell me what is the right way to do this! The Haynes manual gives no help at all. Thanks.

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Mike
(1969 MGB GTV8, 1977 Dolomite 1850HL, 1971 MGB roadster now all three on the road)

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Modified Dolomite Sprint MSO 662P VA485 1973 Mimosa Sprint

Thanks, I have read that thread. But somewhere else, Steve (Carledo) says that he always fits them with the highest part of the wedge forwards, that is 180 degrees different from what that photo shows. See this thread and look for Carledo's contribution - viewtopic.php?f=4&t=33173&hilit=carledo+rear+shock Someone must know how it should be fitted - surely.

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Mike
(1969 MGB GTV8, 1977 Dolomite 1850HL, 1971 MGB roadster now all three on the road)

You shouldn't take my earlier comments as gospel, I was relying on memory and a personal visualisation more than anything else.

However, it's a simple thing to test empirically. Fit the shock assembly to the body with just 2 diametrically opposite nuts (but nip them up so there's no movement) then see how the lower bolt lines up with the hole in the trailing arm. If it is close or bang on you've got it right, if it's not, reverse the fitting and try again! It should line up without any pulling or strain on the shock.

My visualisation says that the top mount is slightly further forward than the hole in the trailing arm and that, to get the correct angle to fit it, the wide side of the wedge needs to be at the front. The visualisation is taken from the theory that fitting the damper assy in this manner means less (to no) angle change in the damper from full extension to full rebound in service, which makes sense from an engineering standpoint. But that which makes engineering sense to me, need not necessarily be how it was actually done! So my visualisation may be wrong!

Steve

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'73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
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Have you taken yours off the car yet, best to put them back the same way.
All the ones I have done slope forwards, if you try the other way you will find it impossible to fit the bottom bolt in the trailing arm.

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Modified Dolomite Sprint MSO 662P VA485 1973 Mimosa Sprint

Of course I took them off without noticing the orientation. The way I have them now I was able to fit the bottom bolt but not without persuading the shocker forwards a bit. I will need to have another look anyway as I tightened the bolts with the axle drooping. It's not easy getting to the four top nuts inside the boot, especially when you are an old fart like me! So I don't want to move them if I don't have to.

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Mike
(1969 MGB GTV8, 1977 Dolomite 1850HL, 1971 MGB roadster now all three on the road)

Slope forward on mine ie rear is higher than front.

Tony

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Membership 2014047

All my current 1500 HLs cars are the same as Tony's the thickest bit of the rubber at the rear.

So which way round did you end up fitting them?

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Modified Dolomite Sprint MSO 662P VA485 1973 Mimosa Sprint

They are still fitted with the shallowest part of the tapered mount to the front. I haven't had much chance to use the car since they were fitted. Hopefully all will be well.

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Mike
(1969 MGB GTV8, 1977 Dolomite 1850HL, 1971 MGB roadster now all three on the road)