New Stag Owner in USA

[JohnN]

Hello All, I purchased my 1973 Stag last December and have been going over it during the Winter months. It's in really nice condition and the previous owner, also from England originally like me, took good care of it. It received a restoration some ten years ago (it came with pictures) and has not had many miles added to it since. I'm on the learning curve for this great car as you would expect and have been thoroughly this Forum. I've had Mini's, TR's and a TVR in the past but this car is a bit special I think. She has a warranty replacement Triumph V8 engine with manual transmission and OD.
Spring has arrived early here in New Jersey and today I took the hard top off. What a treat driving through railway underpasses and hearing that exhaust note, I turned around and went through them again, irresistible.
I have a couple of questions that I would appreciate any help you could give me; when The car pulls away from stop or I accelerate from first through second gear, I feel the car trying to pull or 'twitch' over to the left (sometimes to the right). I feel it mostly in my back and it doesn't require much of a steering correction, but it is quite decidedly there. Is this a characteristic of the Stag or, as I suspect, is it an indication of a problem (driveshaft, half shaft, suspension)?
On a less technical matter, on removing the hard top I find that there are a number of fair sized openings with no apparent way of covering or plugging them. Such as the round opening where the rear of the hard top latches, or either side of the soft top cover by the B panel is a hand sized space where you can see down to the latching mechanisms. Then on either side of the T Bar is an opening where the hard top pins locate alongside to the Bar mounting bolt heads.
As I said, this car is totally new to me and has certain design features that I simply haven't come across before. I apologize for this being such a wordy post, I'll do better next time.
Sincere thanks for any and all responses.
John
(enjoying retirement)

[DJT]

Hi John,

Welcome to the Forum. I am sure you will be pleased with your purchase.

The so-called 'Stag Twitch' is a known phenomenon, but easy to cure. First of all, the drive shafts have sliding splines. These can get dry. What you have to do is undo the bolts connecting the inner end to the differential and withdraw the inner end from the shaft. Clean up the splines and lubricate. Graphite-based grease is good, or CV joint grease. Note that there is one 'king' spline that must be aligned with its female equivalent to get the shaft back together.

Additionally you may find that the bushes that locate the rear suspension arms to the cross-members are soft. These can safely be replaced with new polyurethane bushes which will tighten up the suspension without spoiling the ride.

As for the gaps behind the 'b-posts'. There are commercially available inserts to go there. See www.bosscreen.com . They are quite easy to make though.

Good luck with the Stag and enjoy it.

Dave

[mjheathcote]

Hi John, welcome to the forum.
The 'twitch' sounds like the common problem of the rear drive shafts binding up under acceleration due to being worn and or requiring lubrication on the splines. Also the rear suspension bushes in the trailing arms being worn can cause similiar problems. Fitting new poly bushes and cleaning/lubricating the drive shaft splines usually solves the problem. If the drive shafts are worn, new replacements are available, either original type with a special non stick coating, or more custom ones with CV joints instead. With you being in the US, look for TR6 alternatives, they are the same.
Regarding the holes, all are open, except the ones on the ends of the T bar. These should have electrical plunger connections for the hardtop heated rear window. Being plastic, they can break and fall into the B posts.
If you don't like the opening behind the B post, a company called 'Bosscreen' make trimmed plugs to cover the hole for when the hood is folded.
Hope this helps,
Cheers
Mike

Edit: Nice to see Dave posting the same reply!

[peterrc]

Hi John, welcome to the forum. Your questions have been answered and should be easily sorted. We had an early spring here in Scotland but it seems to have dissapeared with a frost last night. like you I am retired but there is always lot's to do. Can we see some picure's of your car sometime please.
Peter, Cupar

[JohnN]

Thanks Dave and Mike for your encouraging words and help. I shall remove the rear drive, inspect them both for wear and lubricate them regardless of condition until I can replace them with new. I'll also get under and take a good look at the rear suspension bushings and trailing arms for wear. I replaced the suspension bushings bushings on my TR6 with poly bushes a couple of years ago and have been very pleased with the results. I took a k a look at the bosscreen site and that looks ideal for my needs, thanks for that link. The two T bar plunger holes for hard top appear to have lost the plastic connections and so I'll fabricate something to clean it up. Peter, I will take some pictures and see if I can post them. I may regret saying this but Spring appears to have arrived here in full splendor. My usually hard working snow blower now has a full tank of seven month old gas, used it once in October and not since. Extraordinary for NJ.
Thanks to each of you for the welcome, words of advice and encouragement. When the Stag (my '73) was introduced, I was a young engineer with two kiddies (final count was five) and there was no way I could splurge on this lovely looking car. Now I have one I intend to enjoy driving it and taking care of it and it's infamous foibles. I just purchased Tony Hart's DVD for for when the Timing Chains are ready for replacement. Again, many thank to all, this is an excellent Forum.
Cheers, John

[davidf]

For the "twitch", read the thread labelled "Rock and Roll!!!" Lots of comments there, including mine about a possible problem with the sub-frame (but I hope its not that!)
Did anyone point out that the holes on top of the B posts are supposed to have the spring-loaded connectors for the hard top rear screen demist? The pins on the hard top are supposed (!!) to make contact in these sockets and provide the circuit.

Apart from that, Welcome!