The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Possible causes include incorrect tyre pressures, a seized rack, stiff balljoints, incorrect front wheel alignment (tracking), incorrect suspension geometry, a bent track rod and stiff track rod ends.

Hope this helps...

Dave, Ash has already been round about 3 weeks ago. I diagnosed a stiff steering lower column u/j.

He was going to have it sorted. His subframe may have dropped on him meantime....or the u-j could
have got worse and left him with a knackered column bush.

Jonners

A lot can happen in 3 weeks. I was listing a few possible causes which will need to be eliminated to narrow it down.

You can all rest assured that I will be looking at all possibilities so thank you to you all for your helpful advice and encouraging words...

Right then, here are some (slightly rubbish!) pictures...

Steering column/steering linkage at lower bulkhead...



Left side of subframe...




Right side of subframe...



Something seems to be very wrong as you can see!!! Darn it...

You need a new bit welded to your subframe and a new cup washer or flat bottomed poly bush.
You will also need a new lower column bush and your u-j sorted as I said when you visited.

Its not a major problem to fix it. You could fit the bush first and then drive it to be welded.

Jonners

It just goes to show that a picture is worth a thousand words. I would strongly recommend that you fit Super Flex bushes. They are worth the extra cost. You want this job done once and done right. Chris Witor gives TDC members a discount on Super Flex bushes and the stuff is there the next day provided you place your order in good time.

I suppose it would be silly not to get the other side checked and sorted also?! It can only be a matter of time before the other side goes if the current one is anything to go by...

Just so I know, what does this 'fix' fully entail?! What needs to happen (in terms of deconstruction) and how long would it realistically take...?!

I'm gutted to be honest

Its really not too bad. The bolt has to come undone and the debris removed. Then fit the new bush and cup washer
with a new nut and bolt it up.

Its then driveable safely to get the sub frame repaired, which can be done by any competent welder.

You should also replace the column bush and steering coupling u/j at the same time. You can also replace the subframe mounting bush on the other side.

Martin will be able to do it all at reasonable cost I'd have thought.

Jon

Ash, mine was a lot worse than your's. It makes sense to sort out the coupling at the same time. Get both parts of the coupling replaced if necessary.

I remember having to do the rear subframe bushes on my old Sprint. One of the problems is that the long bolt invariable rusts solid in the chassis rail tube. Just trying to remove the lower nut twists the bolt head against the chassis rail tube and it fractures at the top. So you need to stop the bolt turning while undoing the nut. On the Sprint access is quite limited so I had to use a 3/4 in A.F. U-shaped obstruction spanner wedged tightly in place on the top-side, while a friend used a long 3/4 breaker bar with a 1/2 in adaptor underneath. Lots of Plus-gas before hand and it is preferable to use a ramp rather than axle stands.
Access may be better on the 1300 of course.
Good luck sorting it.
Tony.

other option is another sub-frame and swap them over,can be done in a day,plenty of heat and wd40 on bolts

Looks like a heavy washer could be welded on, probably take about an hour all in? much less time than that welding, but prep/tidying looks awkward

The more I look at it the more impossible it looks!

I want it to be fixed to factory spec' if I can afford it but we shall just have to see I suppose.

I will keep you good people posted...

One option would be to do a subframe swap. The easiest way would be to have the engine on a support beam. This will save time and avoids disturbing anything else. That was what was done by the garage on my 1850 when I had them repair the subframe mounts. The steering coupling, bulkhead bush, steering rack bushes and subframe bushes can also be replaced at the same time.