The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Hi, i have been trying to get my 1850 good enough for a rego inspection so I can finally drive it. I have just started looking at the front suspension and found a few issues. I know the ball joints all need replacing and probably the wheel bearings as well, The subframe mounts also look bad. The problem I have is the passenger wheel has a lot of neg camber compared to the drivers side. I did a rough measurement and found the drivers side at about 1 degree neg which I think is ok, the passenger side was about 4 degrees neg which look quite a lot. There is a few shims in the passenger side upper wishbone already. The passenger side rear subframe mount does look a bit damaged and has been repaired (not too well). Anyway sorry for the long ramble, I was going to replace subframe mounts, ball joints, and wheel bearings and see but i was wondering if it will be any better after that.
Thanks,
Steve.

Club spares hold a quantity of remanufactured subframe shims, both the large for early cars and large and small for later cars...

Thanks, may need to get a few. But how many can you put in? It looks to me like the top of the wheel has to move about 2cm.
Steve.

flying brick wrote: ↑Tue Oct 24, 2023 9:46 pm Thanks, may need to get a few. But how many can you put in? It looks to me like the top of the wheel has to move about 2cm.
Steve.

A shim has an exaggerated effect, a couple of shims is easily a cm at the wheel. The bolts are long enough you can get several shims in if you need to.

But if it's too far out of true, there may be something bent or damaged in the subframe or wishbone carrier. Or it may be a victim of uneven lowering as every inch you drop the car gives around 2.5 degrees extra negative camber.

However i've seen a car with a single shim on one side and 4 on the other and it looked and drove OK. Just Typical BL build quality and high tolerances they had in the 70s.

Also, sort the balljoints and other problems first, no good setting it up till everything is correct.

Steve

OK sounds good, yes I will get all the new bits in first and see, and have a look while its apart for any damage. Also does the steering rack need to come out or dropped to get to the rear drivers subframe bolt?
Steve.

flying brick wrote: ↑Wed Oct 25, 2023 7:04 am Also does the steering rack need to come out or dropped to get to the rear drivers subframe bolt?
Steve.

In a word, NO!

Steve

Ok thanks for that. I will see how I go. Trying to source the parts locally(I'm in Aus) I have found some bits here but not all so I will probably have to put an order in at Rimmers for the rest.
Thanks again for the info.
Steve.

Just an update on my suspension issues. I replaced all ball joints, wheel bearings, subframe mounts, upper wishbone bushes and lower strut bushes. I had lots of neg camber on the passenger side and drivers side was ok. Now the passenger side is ok but the drivers side has a lot of positive camber. The drivers side wheel was sticking out a bit more than the passenger side before which was a bit strange. Cant see anything bent or any damage at the front. Wondering if anyone has any ideas.
Thanks for looking
Steve.