04-05-2020, 11:38 AM
See if you can find a standard Austin locally - maybe join one of the clubs - and go for a drive when allowed.
They do hop about. Check the front shock absorbers are tight enough. How tight is that? Tight enough to help the hopping about but not solid. Ie. I don't know, it is a "feel" thing.
Has it got flattened rear springs? For a special, they need to be nearly flat or maybe slightly reversed when loaded.
Are all the bits that hold the axles on in good condition? If the steering box is worn, maybe the front spring shackles and the rear spring pins are worn.
The steering box can be adjusted for play in the mesh, and if the arm moves in or out then some shimming is needed on the little button that takes the end thrust.
Do those two things before worrying about the bearing of the arm itself.
Don't try and take all the play out of the box - the end float in the arm, yes, but not the play in mesh. No play means it will probably be stiff, and if stiff, you cannot react to the hopping about quickly enough!
They do hop about. Check the front shock absorbers are tight enough. How tight is that? Tight enough to help the hopping about but not solid. Ie. I don't know, it is a "feel" thing.
Has it got flattened rear springs? For a special, they need to be nearly flat or maybe slightly reversed when loaded.
Are all the bits that hold the axles on in good condition? If the steering box is worn, maybe the front spring shackles and the rear spring pins are worn.
The steering box can be adjusted for play in the mesh, and if the arm moves in or out then some shimming is needed on the little button that takes the end thrust.
Do those two things before worrying about the bearing of the arm itself.
Don't try and take all the play out of the box - the end float in the arm, yes, but not the play in mesh. No play means it will probably be stiff, and if stiff, you cannot react to the hopping about quickly enough!