Replacement sump now in place

At last I have managed to swap the sump on the 2000.

I have had to lower the entire front suspension though which was a real pain. All to stop an oil leak around the sump plug (hopefully) - mind you it was quite a leak and we had taken a spare 7 1/2 litres of 20/50 on the 10CR to make sure we got round!

Here's the suspension lowered from the car -you can see the nearside rebuilt strut from Chris Witor leaning out of the wheelarch.

Here's the sump off the car as there was at last enough clearance with the subframe lowered.

I cleaned the interior of the "new" sump with Jizer and rags and then refitted it although it appears there's a missing sump bolt! Was it there originally I wonder?

I just got the strut and drag strut back in place and then changed the oil filter and put fresh oil back in the car which I hope stays there and doesn't leak!

Next will be a patient repositioning and bolting up of the front suspension, get the oil level right in the car and check for leaks. After that I will turn my attention to the new radiator.

11 miles and counting

After a lay off from all things Triumph due to my daughter getting married (Michelle to Bryce) and then us going on holiday, I at last got back to working on UNJ.

A steady process on a very hot day but rewarding so far.

Removed the nearside front strut, stripped it down so that I could fit the new spring insulators and the roller bearings. Once it was refitted to the car which was easier now I am using the jack technique I moved on to replacing the wheel bearing that had broken up.

I took care to clean every bit of swarf out of the hub and then replaced the bearing and refitted the hub, brake caliper and wheel.

3 1/2 hours work and it was time to give UNJ a test run.

First thing - no "clonk" as I set off and turned the steering wheel. I am sure this is where fitting the spring insulators have paid off as the front springs are now snugly located.

Then almost immediately I realised how light the steering now was - wow, those roller bearings really make a difference.

Following completing the usual test circuit I use of local roads which are a combination of town roads, local lanes (good for suspension and ride testing) and the A59 where a decent amount of speed can be built up it seems all is well.

That's why it's 11 miles and counting!

I am a bit paranoid though so I am thinking about getting a spare hub and building it up with a new wheel bearing. I can either fit this and keep the one just repaired as a spare or keep the new one as a spare - might be useful to have on the trip to Nice.

Meanwhile, I'll check the wheel bearings again in about 100 miles and adjust as needed.

Good to be out in UNJ though with the top down in the sun.

Might as well!

A few bits I had ordered from Rimmer Bros so I could get on with sorting the suspension out on UNJ had arrived during the week so, on with the work then.

Here's the two struts dismantled and more importantly you can see the difference between the standard spring and the uprated one - a bit there eh!

I re-assembled the black original sturt with the red uprated spring and the best bits of the other components and then went to put it back on the car. This isn't an easy operation for one person but I got the stut bolted in at the top although I then couldn't locate it onto the ball joint at the bottom.

Then I had a brainwave, why not lower the entire front subframe whcih would give me the clearance.

Well that wasn't going to be a goer once I had started but then I spotted another option which worked - get a small jack in between the anti-roll bar and the subframe. This easily gave me the chance to lower the track rod end so the ball joint could locate with the strut bottom - following this?

But then - but then; I spotted the ball joint rubber was split. I agonised over ignoring this but decided to go and see if I had a spare  rubber somewhere. I didn't find a spare but I did find this, given to me by my mate Paul Darbyshire some time in the past.

A roller bearing kit which is one of those "must do" modifications to a TR7 (although I never have done before) so I then had another one of those moments.

Stuff it, OK might as well then. Off with the strut again !!!

After dismantling the kit went on fine and the strut was put back together again.

Of course this means the nearside strut should be done too - Arghh!!

It's the right thing to do really because there were some spring insulators missing on the struts which I had replaced on the offside so it all ought to be balanced up.

After tidying everything away then it was off to order the insulators and two ball joint boot covers (I am bound to tear the nearside one when I take the strut off). Thing is though the postage was £7.95 or about the same as the total of the parts! Madness.

So, might as well buy something else then if the postage doesn't go up.

And that's when I remembered the Rover I bought has an aftermarket steering wheel on that I wasn't that happy about. Now Rimmers have brand new steering wheels in just one trim - the one for my car JEA :-)

£35 including VAT and the postage didn't go up - bargain!

Over to UNJ

As can be seen here, attention is now switched to UNJ.

A "new" strut with uprated spring and insert ready for the nearside along with polybushes on the anti rollbar.

The track arm is now with Bryce for the ball joint to be pressed out and a new one fitted whilst there will also be a new polybush for the inner end where it meets the subframe.

After it's all bolted back together I'll take the car for MOT and if there is time then I'll be replacing the rear springs, shock absorbers and polybushing it all.

The car has to be ready for the International AutoEcosse and I only have 4 more weekends to work on it - gulp!

Strut to a question or two

Thanks to Bryce who came over to give me a hand, the front off side strut is now located along with the lower link back in place with an inner polybush.

What to do next?

Well I need to think about that.

When the group 4 brakes come back I can fit the nearside strut to UNJ.

Then the group 4 brakes will go on BRP and the Volvo/BMW brake combination will be fitted to UNJ.

Once that's done I'll fit uprated springs and a pair of spax shocks to the rear of UNJ which by then will have had a fair bit of suspension work front and rear along with uprated brakes - just right for a trip to the Alps next year.

I can then switch attention back to BRP for some engine work.

One thing leads to another

Here's the offside strut removed from the convertible today, lieing next to the refurbished replacement.

Of course, it didn't come off without a fight in that the ball joint nut needed the attentions of a saw and a chisel! So that means replacement ball joint needed so I might as well get one for the other side too as no doubt that will be a pig too.

And whilst I am about it 2 replacement inner polybushes too!

Oh, and as the front struts have uprated springs then 2 new 200lbs lowered springs for the rear are on order as well.

That little lot should keep me occupied for a while.

Oh, and S&S preps are pleased I have started working on my TR7s again - there'll be more parts ordered from them soon enough no doubt.