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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 3, 2015 9:47:30 GMT
Well carried out the road test and it passed with flying colors. I went over the the full width speed bumps quiet hard and it seemed fine. I went over the small speed bumps one side at a time a good few times and no problems at all. It is just that small difference in wheel arch hight that is niggling me. I would have thought an inch at the bottom would make the van lean about three inches out of plumb at the top but it seems to sit nice and straight. It has also not been tested with any load in it. So much for the van, but now it was the little tow cars turn for a run while I could get it out of the garden. I have never had one problem with this little car, but wait for it. I started it up and there was a little twang and all the dash warning lights came on. I thought it can't be much, so opened the bonnet. Sure enough the alternator drive belt had snapped and the power steering had gone and other little things like the brakes. I pulled it off and took the number and ordered one right away. I thought that won't take long to do. I went to start to loosen the alternator to adjust the new belt when it came. I then realized it was seized up. I then proceeded to take it all out and hit a major problem it wont come out without me either taking the drive shaft out underneath or stripping the vacuum and master brake cylinders out on top. I am still pondering which to do. While doing this I have also realized that this broken belt goes behind another one that has to come off first that drives the air conditioning. I can't even see how to get at those pulleys never mind get spanners on them to adjust later. It crossed my mind to do the timing belts while I have got the other belts off but when I looked how to get at them it uncrossed my mind pretty fast. So the horse is up and running but his pony is still under the vet . I stripped the old back axle down and took a few photos of it for those who are interested in that sort of thing They will follow shortly. .... Tom ....
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 3, 2015 9:55:33 GMT
This is looking down inside the axle once the swinging arms was removed. Has you can see it is all smashed up even deep inside. .... Tom .... screenshot on pc
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 3, 2015 9:58:59 GMT
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 3, 2015 10:10:04 GMT
This is scary. When I saw this it really put the willies up me. The main bolt which screws through the main plating on the swinging arm and though the inner axle drives itself into a recess on the main internal spring. This is the only thing that holds the arm, brake drums, wheels onto the van. How this never came away while on the move is just sheer luck. The part that is supposed to hold it together has all broken away so it was virtually free to come away anytime it felt like it. It was a pig to separate and luckily for me time had got it well bedded in and rust and muck held it in place. .... Tom .... uploading pictures
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 3, 2015 10:13:42 GMT
Another view of the broken main spring and its mating bolt. .... Tom .... free upload image
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 3, 2015 10:17:06 GMT
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 3, 2015 10:20:26 GMT
This is another view of the main spring with parts of its smaller outer springs. The high tensile steel was just shattered like chips. .... Tom .... upload pictures
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 3, 2015 10:23:45 GMT
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 3, 2015 10:26:55 GMT
This is a view of the swinging arm and inner axle from the broken side. .... Tom .... free picture upload
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 3, 2015 10:33:18 GMT
This is a view of the good side and how it should look. I even think this is starting to be problematic looking at one of the smaller outer springs on the left. It does not seem as compact at the other 3 outer springs. Also you can see why the design is poor for greasing. It is just an hollow tube you fill up and hope it gets to the bearing which are deeper inside the axle. .... Tom .... click image upload
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 3, 2015 10:45:19 GMT
This is how the main bolt should drive down into the recess on the main spring and hold it all onto the van. It is hard to believe that this one bolt can carry all that weight and do all that work. I must say it did take a three foot breaker bar to get them out. The bracket below with small hole in it is where the rubber bump stop is supposed to be. Inside that bracket is a main half inch holding bolt hole for the axle. If the rubber is in place you can only do it from the other side and it looks like someone has removed the rubbers to get this in and not put them back. They are in place on the new axle. .... Tom .... upload a gif
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 3, 2015 10:47:38 GMT
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 3, 2015 10:53:25 GMT
This shows how the main bolt goes through the swinging arm casing, then through the inner axle, then through into the recess on the main internal spring. I am amazed this one bolt can hold all this together as well as take the twisting and turning of the high tensile steel springs none stop all the time. .... Tom .... how to capture screen
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 3, 2015 10:56:00 GMT
Some of the parts left over from the job. .... Tom .... image hosting
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Post by billieblue on Nov 3, 2015 11:03:48 GMT
And so on to the big question, Tom. Which van bites the dust?
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 3, 2015 11:11:42 GMT
This is most of whats left for scrap. there is a couple of very rough shock absorbers kicking about somewhere and other bits and pieces. By taking these apart I was hoping to see if there was any adjustment on them where I could perhaps make that inch up on the low side of the new axle. It is obvious there is none so that still has me wandering is there one of the small outer plate springs gone on that side or is it just the way its settled. Who knows?, only time will tell. Perhaps I will find out pretty fast when a load goes in it .. .... Tom .... image free hosting
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 3, 2015 11:19:36 GMT
And so on to the big question, Tom. Which van bites the dust? Well if that new axle collapses carol that will bite quiet a lot of dust. I have just sent off for that new top stop light. it was £50 so that ain't adhered me to it any more than I was before. I was hoping to have everything sorted for that trip to Scotland with Gordon but now I got problems with the tow car that looks like going on a back burner. At least I have not booked so it leaves places. I think there is only 20 and there was 23 booked last time I looked. .... Tom ....
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Post by billieblue on Nov 3, 2015 11:54:32 GMT
I've seen a gorgeous van, going for the same price as your Rimor! No bunk beds though! Was thinking of the Scottish meet. Let me know what you decide. From what I've heard a few more vans won't matter....
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Post by andyjanet on Nov 3, 2015 20:22:33 GMT
Well done Tom, hopefully the iron horse will roll on for another few years now you have done such a great job, Andy
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Post by lotusanne on Nov 3, 2015 22:25:21 GMT
Bit confused Tom, but it sounds like all bad news? Flippin heck!!
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 3, 2015 23:11:49 GMT
Bit confused Tom, but it sounds like all bad news? Flippin heck!! No its good news now that its all back together. But now I got problems with the little tow car. After working on the big axle its like micro surgery trying to get at things on this little 900cc Daihatsu Charade. We live and learn. .... Tom ...
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Post by lotusanne on Nov 4, 2015 8:44:13 GMT
Oh good so that's glad not sad!! Think I thought some of the stuff about tow car was about van. Did u take tow car to France?
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 4, 2015 10:24:08 GMT
Oh good so that's glad not sad!! Think I thought some of the stuff about tow car was about van. Did u take tow car to France? No Anne it never went to France. The replacement van I got has no tow bar even if I wanted to take it with me. The last time it went anywhere was Greywell round about April. When I jacked the van up to take axle off it got trapped in the garden. When the van finally moved I started it up and the alternator belt snapped. I ordered one and realized the alternator has seized up. I have also had to move the air conditioning unit to get another belt off that is in the way. The quotes for a little alternator are crazy. To replace with an original part from Japan is £587. I am just waiting for a phone call on a second hand one for £72. Just shows things left standing deteriorate a lot fast than when they are in use. .... Tom ....
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Post by robmac on Nov 4, 2015 11:30:02 GMT
Oh good so that's glad not sad!! Think I thought some of the stuff about tow car was about van. Did u take tow car to France? ................................Just shows things left standing deteriorate a lot fast than when they are in use. .... Tom .... Ain't that the truth Tom!
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 4, 2015 11:35:32 GMT
................................Just shows things left standing deteriorate a lot fast than when they are in use. .... Tom .... Ain't that the truth Tom! Yup I am sat here deteriorating at a rapid rate of knots. I am thinking of changing my second name to Fossil. .... Tom ....
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Post by bessybongo2 on Nov 4, 2015 14:39:13 GMT
Oh good so that's glad not sad!! Think I thought some of the stuff about tow car was about van. Did u take tow car to France? No Anne it never went to France. The replacement van I got has no tow bar even if I wanted to take it with me. The last time it went anywhere was Greywell round about April. When I jacked the van up to take axle off it got trapped in the garden. When the van finally moved I started it up and the alternator belt snapped. I ordered one and realized the alternator has seized up. I have also had to move the air conditioning unit to get another belt off that is in the way. The quotes for a little alternator are crazy. To replace with an original part from Japan is £587. I am just waiting for a phone call on a second hand one for £72. Just shows things left standing deteriorate a lot fast than when they are in use. .... Tom .... Hi Tom that is a stupid price wish you lived near me a friend of mine repairs Alternators and starters for cars and Commercials, and the heavy plant vehicles, However if you have any problem getting one, perhaps I could help! Haydn
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Post by andyjanet on Nov 4, 2015 17:00:49 GMT
Tom,tap end of alternator with toffee hammer very very lightly on the spindle nut whilst trying to turn with ring spanner, have done this many a time to Cambridge students cars that sit from October until Xmas parked in the villages around Cambridge as the colledges won't allow them cars they abandoned them in a village street and only try to start them when they go home for Xmas. It's possible there is nothing wrong with your alternator and just needs freeing off where it's been static for 6 months. A good auto electrician will be able to strip the end cap off and clean up the armiture, at the worst you should only need a set of bearings front and rear. Andy
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 4, 2015 22:02:28 GMT
Hi Tom that is a stupid price wish you lived near me a friend of mine repairs Alternators and starters for cars and Commercials, and the heavy plant vehicles, However if you have any problem getting one, perhaps I could help! Haydn Hi Haydn thanks I will keep it in mind if needed. .... Tom ....
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 4, 2015 22:12:22 GMT
Tom,tap end of alternator with toffee hammer very very lightly on the spindle nut whilst trying to turn with ring spanner, have done this many a time to Cambridge students cars that sit from October until Xmas parked in the villages around Cambridge as the colledges won't allow them cars they abandoned them in a village street and only try to start them when they go home for Xmas. It's possible there is nothing wrong with your alternator and just needs freeing off where it's been static for 6 months. A good auto electrician will be able to strip the end cap off and clean up the armiture, at the worst you should only need a set of bearings front and rear. Andy Hi Andy I tried that as soon as I got it off. I did get lit to turn but it sure was stiff and very rough. I was going to try and take it to bits and clean it all up. I then thought I had to put it all back and it might not work. Its such a pig to put it back in place. I had to take the braking servo system and master brake cylinder off the car just to get it passed to get it out. I also have to move another drive belt sharing the same pulley wheel which meant me moving the air conditioning system. I have ordered a second hand one that is guaranteed that I will be more confident of it working. Mind you I hope its a better guarantee than the axle one I got over the phone ... .... Tom ....
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Post by edina on Nov 20, 2015 15:13:43 GMT
Hope I haven't missed an episode, but what's the latest on the wee car's alternator?
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