Sunday 19 October 2008

I'm now a wizz

... at doing Reliant front brakes.

Reliants Robin/Rialto's basically do all the stopping on the single front wheel, which has a rather small and tiny drum brake. This means that I get through a set of shoes somewhere in the region of one set every 3 months. Depending on the shoe type, this can also mean a new front brake drum - older riveted shoes tend to wear scores into the drum as they reach the end of their lives, while bonded shoes generally live to fight another day.

It now almost takes longer for me to jack the front of the car up than it does to get the wheel off, shoes out, changed, and back togther...

Sadly, I've still not had time to do anything to Bitsa, and now I've lent out the spring bush tool to a man in greater need than me...

Saturday 18 October 2008

Springs bushes...

... are evil. Fact.

So far I've changed 1 of the 8. It wasn't too bad, the tool makes a nasty job none too bad.

Rather less satisfactory was an attempt on one so worn the inner rubber had fallen out - it seems that the tool doesn't work on these as it doesn't centre well enough... result - I'm going to have to hacksaw the beggar. Joy.

Still no mig gas, but I've a pile of other jobs to do, mostly on other vehicles. NOG needs a front brake stripping for investigation(seems to be grabbing), the fan belt tightening, the rear drive flanges need new gaskets, the cylinder head needs retorquing, the hardtop needs bolting down and painting... the Reliant needs new front brake shoes and drum, and a replacement rad hose.

I also have to claim my new rear stop/tail lights from the local motor factors. I'm fed up with the Wipac ones letting the bulbs fall out, so I've ordered some from Durite. I belive they will be quality items - at £13 a pop they better had be.

Tuesday 14 October 2008

Killing a boingy

I'm not sure how relivent it is, but I might be about the become the proud owner of a second tdi engine - this time with a whole tdi disco attached. If this happens I will finally get to take the big 9" grinder to a discgay with a vengance, and supply someone with all the bits to make a seriously quick series IIA... anyone want any disco bits...?

I notice that 110 prices have been falling through the floor of late. A 200tdi went on eBay the other night with full T+T for under £1200... a couple of years ago that would have just about bought a 2.5NA 110. By comparison IIA prices seem to be on the up - good SWB's are pushing £2K now.I suppose this means that once Bitsa is alive again, I could trade her in for two 110's.
Not that I will be, I'd rather push a IIA than drive a Boingy...