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Path: utzoo!decvax!linus!philabs!ron1!polyof!fern
From: fern@polyof.UUCP ( FTG )
Newsgroups: net.auto,net.auto.tech
Subject: Re: Triumph Spitfire
Message-ID: <179@polyof.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 11-Dec-85 18:42:07 EST
Article-I.D.: polyof.179
Posted: Wed Dec 11 18:42:07 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 13-Dec-85 08:19:19 EST
References: <290@aluxp.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: Polytechnic Inst. of NY, Farmingdale
Lines: 28
Xref: linus net.auto:7851 net.auto.tech:427

> 
>      My brother recently purchased a '79 Spitfire.  The problem:
>      the distance between the bottom of the rear wheels is
>      greater than the distance between the top of the rear wheels.
>      In fact, it is so bad, he has trouble travelling more than 20
>      feet without scraping some part of his exhaust system on the road.
>      Rear view of the rear wheels, with EF (exaggeration factor) = 5 :


	The Spitfire has a transverse leaf spring suspension.
As the spring ages it loses some of its down force, so what you
have observed is a nprmal consquence of too low a spring rate. The spring
can be brought back to spec by a spring rebuilder. Look in the yellow pages.


Also if your spring is that bad, you should replace all of the little rubber
encased bushings on the control arms.

When replacing the spring, there are six studs which attach the spring to the
differential, these and the castlated nuts which hold the spring down 
MUST BE REPLACED. They will BREAK. This is very bad, particularly in the
middle of a corner. It can change the entire geometry of the car (if enough
break at the same time it can also change the drivers geometry).



				FTG
ps dietz etz