Jim Muller wrote:
Another possible factor is the longer axles which started in mid-
1979, if I remember right. It wouldn't apply to DR's '77, or course.
and Joe Curry replied:
The longer axles started in mid 71, so they definitely DO apply here.
In
fact they are a major contributing factor in the sag problem.
Perhaps we could compromise and say that the longer axles began with
the 1973 model year (lst 1500s in the US), which is when it happened.
;-)
Again, it's only my own experience and observation over the years, but
I've seen almost no "short-axle" MkIV Spitfires with any rear end sag
(one OR both sides). Same with the early 1500s. The '73 (again I'm
talking "Federal" cars here) as a whole was essentially unchanged
except for the bigger displacement engine and wider rear track. '74s
added the rear chassis outriggers to support the big "triangular"
rubber bumper overriders in the rear, so a bit of weight was added. In
'75, different rear rubber bumper overriders were added, along with the
heavier, reinforced rear bumper (center section). It is on cars from
'75 on that I've noticed the dreaded sag over the years.
It's certainly plausible that the wider track could help make the
problem worse, but I still think that an increasingly heavier car with
no correspondingly heavier (or even better quality) rear spring has a
lot to do with it as well. Check out the specified curb weights of
"Federal" Spitfires from the mid-1970s to the end; they put on a bit of
flab. ;-)
--Andy Mace
*Mrs Irrelevant: Oh, is it a jet?
*Man: Well, no ... It's not so much of a jet, it's more your, er,
Triumph Herald engine with wings.
-- Cut-price Airlines Sketch, Monty Python's Flying Circus (22)
Check out the North American Triumph Sports 6 (Vitesse 6) and Triumph
Herald Database at its new URL: <http://triumph-herald.us>
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