The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

The Number One Club for owners of Triumph's range of small saloons from the 1960s and 1970s.
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 8:28 pm

All times are UTC




Post new topic  Reply to topic  [ 7 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Solid steering mounts
PostPosted: Tue Oct 19, 2021 3:34 pm 
Offline
TDC Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Dec 08, 2013 8:03 am
Posts: 299
Location: High Wycombe
Hi all,

Does using solid steering mounts and a 2500 style UJ cause a lot of stress on the other steering UJ ?

https://www.chriswitor.com/proddetail.php?prod=145377RM

Thanks, Richard


Top
   
PostPosted: Tue Oct 19, 2021 9:14 pm 
Offline
TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7013
Location: Highley, Shropshire
Not that i've noticed and i've been running both for more than 10 years.

Steve

_________________
'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.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.


Top
   
PostPosted: Tue Oct 19, 2021 9:29 pm 
Offline
TDC Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Dec 08, 2013 8:03 am
Posts: 299
Location: High Wycombe
What made me think of this is….

The subframe and steering rack will effectively be one solid part.
The steering column is fixed by the height adjustment clamp.

As the body and subframe move about (assuming you’ve got rubber subframe bushes) what steering components absorbs that movement ?


Top
   
PostPosted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 12:37 am 
Offline
TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7013
Location: Highley, Shropshire
If the body and subframe are moving relative to each other that much, you've got a bigger problem than what happens to the upper column UJ!

The Carledo's subframe is still rubber mounted, it's not a problem, there is enough give elsewhere in the system. Obviously if the frame rubbers are knackered or the frame is rusty or cup washers disintegrated (all of which i've seen happen) then it will show in the steering. But trust me, you'll know anyway!

Steve

_________________
'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.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.


Top
   
PostPosted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 11:49 am 
Offline
TDC West Mids Area Organiser
User avatar

Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 1:13 pm
Posts: 13316
Location: Over here...can't you see me?
You'll likely have to shorten the upper UJ to get the alternative lower to fit.

Also, some can catch on the bodywork flange adjacent which then needs easing


Top
   
PostPosted: Sat Nov 13, 2021 11:04 pm 
Offline
Future Club member hopefully!
Future Club member hopefully!

Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 10:18 pm
Posts: 54
Location: bucks
Quote:
What made me think of this is….

The subframe and steering rack will effectively be one solid part.
The steering column is fixed by the height adjustment clamp.

As the body and subframe move about (assuming you’ve got rubber subframe bushes) what steering components absorbs that movement ?
Given what you are building, and the power you will have, it may well be a problem.

Why cant you keep the original arrangement? Which i suspect is there for that reason.

_________________
1970 Triumph 2000 Estate w/ RV8
1980 Triumph Dolomite Sprint
2003 Holden Ss Ute
1969 Dodge Charger
1973 Triumph Stag
1961 Standard Atlas


Top
   
PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2021 10:51 pm 
Offline
TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7013
Location: Highley, Shropshire
Quote:
Quote:
What made me think of this is….

The subframe and steering rack will effectively be one solid part.
The steering column is fixed by the height adjustment clamp.

As the body and subframe move about (assuming you’ve got rubber subframe bushes) what steering components absorbs that movement ?
Given what you are building, and the power you will have, it may well be a problem.

Why cant you keep the original arrangement? Which i suspect is there for that reason.
The original sloppy rubber rack mounts are a source of poor steering response and vague steering. So for any sort of performance application, the solid rack mounts are a big improvement for not much money.

The lower column coupling, i'd be happy to leave alone, if it wasn't for the fact that NOS genuine ones are NLA and modern repro copies are (and there's no nice way of saying this) absolute crap. All the major Triumph suppliers list one (FAM1718?) but I suspect only one company makes them and they are total rubbish. I fitted one from a trusted supplier (not Rimmers) and it failed in less than 6 months and under 400 miles.

And it's not just the one, I've had to change out more than a dozen which still have "the new on them" Others have had similar experiences. The situation got so bad that Fitchetts (who are renowned for ONLY selling original spec stuff) have now stopped selling aftermarket versions of the FAM 1718 and instead only sell the pressed "Escort group 1" UJ fitting.

Personally I prefer the T2000 forged upper UJ as sold by Chris Witor to replace the FAM 1718 but that's just me. And since I've fitted several cars now with both solid rack mounts and a UJ (including the Carledo which has been like this 10 years and many thousands of hard miles) I can unequivocally state that it works well, there's no downside at all!

Steve

_________________
'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.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.


Top
   
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic  Reply to topic  [ 7 posts ] 

All times are UTC


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google and 28 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Limited