Triumph Repair: Steering, apple hydraulics, lefthand drive

Question
David,

My '61 TR3A has a lot of "play" in the steering.  About 2" either direction.  This is getting to be a problem and I am experiencing a lot of "drifting" while driving.  It is bad enough now that I am uncomfortable to drive it.  Where do suggest I begin looking for the problem?  Thank you for your help.

Dennis

Answer
Dennis, I haven't looked at a TR3 since me and a friend of mine drug one out of a cotton field in Louisiana back in the 70's. we sold it for parts.I don't have a book on them but in looking at the book i have if it is like the TR2 it has a steering box with a worm gear in it.I thought it had a rack & pinion like TR4 though,anyway I think I would lift the front end up on jack stands, have the lug nuts loose so you can take the wheels off after that. I assume it is a lefthand drive car if so the box is on the frame near where the suspension bolts up.I would get under so you can see it and have someone else turn the steering wheel side to side.if the steering shaft is doing alot of moving before moving the road wheel then the box is worn out and needs rebulding. contact APPLE HYDRAULICS www.applehydraulics.com.  they might be able to rebuild it.you will have to get a shop book to see how to remove it. it is a pretty good size job.check it out.it could just be loose mountings or if it has a rubber mount it might be broken. I hope this helps let me know. David