Broken front suspension strut

Message

Dion · #1 Post by **Dion** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 1:27 am

A nasty thing happened to the car this afternoon. I reversed, braked and then a horrible sound GGGGGGRRRRRRR. Turned out the tyre touched the front valance, so much that parts of the tyre were sliced off by the bottom lip of the valance. A quick look showed that the front strut, the link between the hub and the chassis, was loose at the hub end - it had sheared off. Twenty years ago, I remember my fathers\'s 2500 TC had the same item replaced. Is this a common Big Saloon fault (or are we as a family doomed)? I drove very slowly to my house, thank god nearby. Take care, Dion

#2 Post by **Alan Chatterton** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 2:05 am

Welcome to the Triumph 2000 Range!!
Yes, common failure. I\'ve broken about 4 now!
Mr Witor (God bless him!) sells a strengthened item, and it\'s correct name is a Tie-Bar (so that you can find it in his listing!)
Panic not, fit another and try not to worry, but check them regularly!
Rgds
Alan
 

Bazzamech · #3 Post by **Bazzamech** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 5:15 am

Alan,
As a fairly new TRIUMPH 2000/2.5 convert, how or what do I look for when wear is present in the TIE BARS?
Regards,
Barry.

#4 Post by **Alan Chatterton** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 10:22 pm

Okay, simple really.
At the end of the tiebar, it bolt through the drag stut arm. This is done by a bolt and nut with washers.
What breaks is the lugs on the tie bar, which the bolt goes through, at the end that is bolt to the bottom arm (drag strut)
Look for cracks in these lugs as they sheer off. Usually the bottom one first, so a quick look when under the car helps.
Worst cars seem to be later cars, ie \"S\" models but it can hit anytime without warning.
Well worth investing in Mr Witors uprated ones!
 

Warner Bigend · #5 Post by **Warner Bigend** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:53 pm

I\'m confused. 
 
There\'s the bottom arm that comes from the crossmember, and the drag strut which comes from the chassis rail. 
 
Which bit\'s the tie bar? <img> 
 
Only this does sound like a far more serious version of part of my
suspension problems, but I\'m not sure as my bottom arm is known good
and my drag strut looks (only a brief inspection though) good. The
terminology\'s befuddling me!

#6 Post by **Alan Chatterton** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 9:59 pm

Okay confused.
There are 2 bottom arms to the suspension. One goes from the crossmember to the hub and has a ball joint on the end. This is the Bottom Arm/Bottom link etc.
The Tie-Bar goes diagonally from this arm to the chassis rail by your feet. It is the bolted end of this that breaks, by the lugs, as it bolts to the bottom arm. ie the opposite end than the one bolted to the chassis.
Is this better?
Rgds
Alan

Warner Bigend · #7 Post by **Warner Bigend** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 10:03 pm

Ah, makes a lot more sense now, thanks!

All these different terms for the same parts doesn\'t help much really. 
 
And it\'s all helped even less when I try reading techy stuff after far too little sleep!

French rep · #8 Post by **French rep** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 1:05 am

<IMG>Do you want the french name ? \"Bras inférieur\" (with the ball joint) and \"bras tiré\" (the other one...). 2 more terms for these parts !
Sorry, I will not do it again<IMG>.......
But who knows,  one register member may broke one in France one day....
Regards, Chris<IMG>