Triumph Spitfire and Herald Maintenance: What to Watch
Written by Petro Olekhnovych, mobile mechanic in Aylesham, Kent
Good Triumph Spitfire maintenance comes down to a few jobs that owners often miss: oiling the front trunnions, checking for rust in the right places, and watching for crankshaft thrust washer wear. The Herald shares most of its running gear with the Spitfire, so the same habits apply to both. Get these right and both cars are simple, rewarding classics to own.
Why the Spitfire and Herald are so alike
The Herald was launched in 1959 and built until 1971. Classic & Sports Car lists 548,291 made. The Spitfire followed in 1962 and ran until 1980, with over 314,000 built.
Both have a separate chassis under the body, lower front trunnions and swing-axle rear suspension. The Herald’s clamshell bonnet hinges forwards, and Hagerty notes this makes missed servicing and front suspension problems easier to spot.
There is one big structural difference. The Herald chassis has outriggers that support the body. The Spitfire does without them and relies on strength built into its sills instead.
The front trunnions: oil, not grease
The lower front trunnions are the best-known weak point on both cars. Hagerty says they should be lubricated with the correct EP90 oil rather than grease. Classic & Sports Car gives a figure of every 6,000 miles for the Herald.
Neglect is the real danger. Classic & Sports Car warns that neglected trunnions can seize and snap the kingpin.
What this means for you:
- Check your handbook or workshop manual for the correct oil and interval for your model.
- Ask whoever services the car whether the trunnions are oiled every time.
- If the car has been laid up, have the trunnions checked before you drive it far.
Because a kingpin failure affects steering, do not ignore heavy or notchy steering on these cars. Stop driving and get it looked at.
Classic car needs some care?
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Labour £30 to £50 per hour depending on the job. Send your reg number and we will reply with a price before any work starts.
Rear swing axle: know how it behaves
Both cars use swing-axle rear suspension with a transverse leaf spring. Hagerty explains that on the Herald, the inner rear wheel can tuck under during hard cornering, and that this can lead to snap oversteer in the damp.
Classic & Sports Car’s Spitfire guide is kinder, saying the swing axle works better than most think, especially in swing-spring form. Hagerty notes many Heralds have been modified with a Spitfire 1500 swing spring or lowering kits.
For day-to-day maintenance, the practical points are:
- Keep tyre pressures right and matched side to side.
- Check the differential for leaks. Classic & Sports Car notes Spitfire diffs leak, especially when the breather is blocked.
- Drive smoothly in the wet until you know how your car behaves.
Rust: where to look on each car
On the Spitfire, the sills matter. Hagerty explains that because there are no chassis outriggers, sill rust “can be bad news”. Check the bulkhead, floors, boot floor, rear quarters and the front of the bonnet around the lights. Classic & Sports Car adds the rear radius-arm mounts and the front valance on the MkIV and 1500.
On the Herald, start under the car. Hagerty says to pay close attention to the front and rear outriggers, because failed outriggers let the body sag. Sagging doors or uneven panel gaps can be a sign of trouble underneath. Herald body panels rot too, but Hagerty notes the sills are not structural on the Herald.
Book a proper look on a ramp if you are unsure. Bodywork and welding are specialist jobs, so use a body shop you trust for repairs.
Engine checks: thrust washers and valve seats
Buying guides for both cars flag the same engine weak point: crankshaft thrust wear.
Classic & Sports Car gives a simple test. Have someone press the clutch while you watch the front pulley. If it moves, get it checked. Hagerty says a new thrust washer should solve the problem, as long as the original has not dropped out. If it has, you may need a replacement engine.
Other engine points from Classic & Sports Car:
- An oil pressure light that flickers at tickover can mean a worn engine or a faulty sender. Check it before driving further.
- Exhaust valves will eventually need hardened seats for unleaded fuel.
- Distributor and camshaft wear can blunt performance.
Our guides to running a classic on E10 petrol and electronic ignition conversions cover two jobs many Triumph owners look at.
How we can help
We service and repair classic and vintage cars, including Spitfires and Heralds. You can read more about our classic car mechanic service across Kent.
- We come to you in Aylesham, Canterbury, Dover, Deal, Sandwich, Folkestone and the villages around them.
- Oil and filter changes, trunnion oiling, tune-ups, recommissioning and fault finding.
- Where an engine needs more, we handle classic engine rebuilds in a Kent workshop.
- Labour is £30-£50 per hour depending on the job. Parts are extra, and the price is agreed on WhatsApp first.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use grease on Triumph trunnions?
The guides we checked say oil, not grease. Hagerty specifies EP90 oil. Check your manual for your car.
How often should the trunnions be oiled?
Classic & Sports Car says every 6,000 miles for the Herald. If your car does few miles, ask for them to be done at every service.
Is the swing axle dangerous?
It has a reputation for tuck-under in hard cornering. Classic & Sports Car notes that period road tests praised the Herald’s safe, predictable handling. Drive smoothly and keep the suspension in good order.
Does a Spitfire chassis rust?
A specialist quoted by Hagerty says Spitfire chassis do not tend to rot, but sills, floors and boot floors can.
Need help? Send a WhatsApp to 07563 350335 with your car’s make and model and we’ll come to you.
Classic car needs some care?
Message us on WhatsApp with your reg and postcode for a price before any work starts.
WhatsApp for a free quote Call 07563 350335
Labour £30 to £50 per hour depending on the job. Send your reg number and we will reply with a price before any work starts.
