donor car quirk - any ideas?

[The Shadow]

Hi, I have managed to secure a 13/60 Herald as the donor for my upcoming project.
Interestingly , despite the kits no longer being local to me , I managed to find an excellent running donor just a few miles up the road in Christchurch. So no driving miles and miles for a Fleabay purchase . Just a shame the kits are over 200 miles away now . I knew I should have bought one when they were on my doorstep.
One strange quirk the donor has that has got me baffled is that when driving forward she is absolutely fine but when you reverse her the rear end raises itself slightly and the wheels tuck in at the bottom in the same way that they do when you jack them up. If you pull forward , it corrects itself.
Any ideas ?
I wondered if the rear tracking being out may cause this as both rear axle tie rods that hold the shaft true and mount to the rear of the outrigger , have been bent and straightened at some point.

[redratbike]

This close enough

http://www.migliasportscars.co.uk/kits.asp#.UkNTbXy9KK1
Unit 2B
46 Holton Road
Holton Heath Trading Estate
Poole
BH16 6L




Failing that tribute automotive do this one down at Dorchester,


The TRIBUTE AUTOMOTIVE A352
is a D Type Jag style body conversion kit that has been designed to fit the Triumph Spitfire/GT6 and now also for the Herald.

The GRP body shell fits over and bonds to a cut down Triumph Spitfire/GT6/Herald body tub.
As the standard chassis, suspension and running gear is retained NO IVA TEST IS REQUIRED


Self-build, or we can supply a part or fully built A352 using your own base vehicle. Ask for a quote.

Self-build possible from £4,000 including base vehicle.

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The A352 package includes:

1x 1 piece GRP bodyshell
1x single skin GRP bonnet
1x single skin GRP boot lid
2x double skinned GRP doors
1x set of GRP internal cockpit panels (2x sides + 1x rear bulkhead)
1x set of GRP inner arch infill panels for rear
1x set of GRP inner arch infill panels for engine bay
2x steel door bars
2x steel internal door hinges
1x pair perspex headlight covers

PACKAGE PRICE £1954 NO VAT


Order lead time of 4 weeks from deposit paid

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Additional items such as windscreen+posts, side screens, head fairing, central cockpit bar are available on request.

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OVERSEAS ENQUIRIES WELCOME, please contact me for a delivery quote. UK deliveries at cost , if required.

For more build information please go to the http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...ead.php?t=3908

Or Google search "Tribute Automotive A352" or call Chris on 07901 544241 for more information.

[The Shadow]

Thank you . I have seen both these options first hand , both pretty cars but there is just something appealing about the original concept for me . I just feel that he got it right first time round .
I have always aspired to a 550 and the original design embraces that long rear deck look I loved on that car.
Any thoughts on my interesting rear end problem anyone ?

[Viatron]

Handbrake mechanism issue? I would take of the rear drums and have a look as well as buy the sounds of it the brakes are coming on or binding in reverse

[The Shadow]

that was one of my first thoughts but the brakes are free and the wheels stil turn easy .

[Mister Towed]

How much is it lifting when you reverse? My first thought was binding rear brakes, try jacking the back up a little and see if the back brakes bind then.

On a Herald/Vitesse swing axle chassis, because the handbrake actuating levers are mounted above the axle centres, when the back lifts the tops of the wheels, and, therefore, the drums and levers move further apart, tightening the cable and applying the brakes if the travel is far enough.

It could be that your handbrake cable is adjusted a little tight, pulling the rear brakes on as the car lifts slightly when reversing, which will make the car lift more causing more braking etc, etc.

Try disconnecting the handbrake cable from either the handbrake lever or from the drums and see if the problem goes away. If it does, there's your answer.

Also, it's worth rehearsing an explanation of the swing axle set up for the MOT chap when he notices that the back brakes bind when he jacks the car up.

Oh, and I agree with you about the styling of the original Spyder

Good luck!

[The Shadow]

rear tie bar on one side had put rear wheel out of line with worn bushes and being bent

[Viatron]

nice easy fix then, I have a pair of blasted and painted ones fitted with poly bushes that I wont need now as I'm replacing them with some adjustable ones I made.

[The Shadow]

sorted thanks Geezer ...