Some of you may recall (Brad & Bud) that my TR3 had a tendency to bounce all
over the road whenever I hit any sort of bump...the Galloping Gertie
Syndrome. Well, I think I've solved the problem, or at least figured out
what the problem IS!
>From my copy of "Technicalities" (from the TR Register), I quote...
"Because it provides a fair section of extra depth, a well bolted on gearbox
tunnel cover is a help [to torsional stiffness]. Failing or failed body
mountings, particularly at the extreme fore and aft of the vehicle, markedly
reduce the body's contribution to overall stiffness...a poorly secured front
apron [is detrimental as well]".
So...I crawled in to check 'em out. Mounting bolts were tight as a
drum...except for three of them! The left front mount (extreme fore...) was
quite loose and, of the two in the front of each footwell, two were slightly
loose and two others weren't even THERE! To top THAT off, the two that are
missing are the ones that also attach the gearbox tunnel cover to the floor
pans and frame! Haven't tried to replace those two yet...all I did so far
was to tighten the the three loose ones and go for a drive - to quote a
certain well-known midwesterner..."OH MY, YESSSSSS!"
If just those three bolts had that much to do with the problem, I figure
that when I replace the fiberglas front apron (in my opinion, equivalent to
a "poorly secured front apron") with steel and weld the battery box in place
(PO pop-riveted it!), I ought to have a MUCH stiffer car!
I guess the lesson to be learned here is...tight is GOOD; loose is BAD!
Check those body mounts!
Michael Ferguson
1959 TR3A (MUCH stiffer now!)
|