1300 fwd - new member/new car - help !

[eebee68]

Hello folks.

I've always admired the Triumph fwd and finally bought one. It's a 1967 1300 which is (yet another) one of those "garage finds" we keep hearing about.

The body's been restored nicely and the interior is all original & has "great patina", as they say, but there are a few niggles I'd like some advice on please :
(i) there is a fairly loud clicking sound to the o/s front when driving above about 20mph; could this be a driveshaft ?
(ii) the brakes are fairly soft, despite having just passed an MoT; there doesn't seem to be any leaks from the master, etc
(iii) the rear end apparently wobbles slightly, although I didn't notice when driving it. Could this be shocks ?

I'm in the Maidstone area and not especially mechanically-minded. Anyone know a good local mechanic who could maybe do the required work for me ?

Thanking you,
Iain

Triumph 1300 fwd.JPG (102.17 KiB) Viewed 906 times

[Toledo Man]

Welcome to the forum.

To try to answer your questions:

The clicking sound could be the CV joint.
It sounds like you've still got air in your brakes or the fluid is in need of changing. I also suggest that you take another look at the brake master cylinder. The seals might be leaking.
Your rear end problem (I'm referring to the car!) could be worn suspension bushes.

I've got the parts catalogue and workshop manual in PDF format available from download HERE.

Hope this helps.

[NickMorgan]

Hi, welcome to the Forum and welcome to the world of front-wheel-drive. You have made a great choice of car and I love the colour combination of yours. I had a 1300TC for a while and really regret selling it in a fit of practicality! I would love another one day.
i) Your front loud clicking could be the Rotoflex coupling or doughnut. Certainly worth jacking up the front and checking everything.
ii) Yes, soft brakes could well be air in the system. I don't think your car will have a servo, so wouldn't expect them to feel soft at all.
iii) Depends on what you mean by wobble. Maybe a buckled wheel. Again, jack up the offending corner and rotate the wheel to see.

[Toledo Man]

I'd like to add that the 1300 doesn't have a servo. The 1300TC has one. If the brake master cylinder is leaking, the brake fluid will be coming out of the back of it.

[eebee68]

Thanks for your replies.
I'll investigate the CV joint & doughnut at the weekend. Will also check the brakes; maybe I'm too used to my modern car !
My "rear end problem" shouldn't exist as the car's allegedly had all new bushes, shocks, etc. Anyway, a good check-up planned for Saturday.
One other thing is the non-working fuel gauge, with fuel warning light on the "pie chart". The sender's a three terminal unit; where's the best place to source one please ?
Thanks,
Iain