11/08/10
The axle casings have been stripped of their paint and any corrosion and rust treatment applied. The badly worn brake operating arms and their bearings have been sent to Lenoch engineering for attention. Enquiries are being made by the Friends for various ball races in the assembly which need replacing. The diff has been set up with minimum end float by the usual combination of shimming and machining and the sun wheels blued so that the planet gears could be fettled. This work has improved it but the diff when turned by hand could be described as agricultural. The rear wheels have been sent to Clifton Rubber for new solid rubber tyres.
18/10/10
Photographs sent from Clifton Rubber showing progress on the rear wheels. The differential unit has been assembled ready for installation. The input shaft has been overhauled with new outer race and thrust bearing. The hook joint has been refitted with new bolt and washer and a new felt oil seal. The second shaft with it’s gear and dog and the input shaft have been installed into the casing. The brake actuating levers and bearings have returned from Lenoch Engineering, once again a first class job. Parts have been turned up in house to enable them to be refitted.
25/05/11
The rear wheels have returned from Clifton rubber and look very nice indeed in red oxide with new tyres. The axle assembly is now complete and can be turned over easily and smoothly by hand. The rear spring hanger shaft has been overhauled by a local firm Ramsey engineering of Canley who also re-made the shackle pins and axle mounting. Once again the services provided by these small firms can not be praised enough. The completion of these items has allowed the friends to re-install the axle and the whole job is beginning to look a bit like a lorry again. Industrial brake services fitted new brake pads to the rear shoes to suit the skimmed drums. Meanwhile the front wheels have been sent to Clifton rubber for treatment they should return to us in the next few weeks.
Some small adjustments have to be made to one of the rear springs, but once that has been done, the rear axle can be fully assembled.
25/05/11
The rear wheels have returned from Clifton rubber and look very nice indeed in red oxide with new tyres. The axle assembly is now complete and can be turned over easily and smoothly by hand. The rear spring hanger shaft has been overhauled by a local firm Ramsey engineering of Canley who also re-made the shackle pins and axle mounting. Once again the services provided by these small firms can not be praised enough. The completion of these items has allowed the friends to re-install the axle and the whole job is beginning to look a bit like a lorry again. Industrial brake services fitted new brake pads to the rear shoes to suit the skimmed drums. Meanwhile the front wheels have been sent to Clifton rubber for treatment they should return to us in the next few weeks.
Some small adjustments have to be made to one of the rear springs, but once that has been done, the rear axle can be fully assembled.
Austin K-2 Fire Engine
The Austin K-2 fire engine has received some much needed TLC. Because we are moving to a new store early next year, we decided to make all heavy vehicles mobile, so they can move under their own power.
The fire engine has not been driven a lot at all in recent years, so it needed a lot of work. Dave Davies undertook to task to get the fire engine back on the road. Hopefully this will also enable the Austin to be used for events next year.
Oil and filter were replaced. When testing the engine it was discovered that no vacuum was being generated at the carburettor. Further inspection identified the metal gasket between the inlet and exhaust had failed. A replacement was made and fitted, now the engine is running fine. The engine coolant was drained, the cooling system was flushed and topped up with fresh Glycoethylene coolant at 50% mix. A new Dynamo drive belt was fitted. The brakes need checking, but hopefully this will happen in the next few days.
Triumph Tiger 80
The bike is fully assembled and the electrical problems have been overcome. The Friends have tried to start the motorcycle, although there were signs of life, the clutch slipped. The clutch has now been set correctly, but there appears to be a bigger problem with the gearbox. The next step we will take is to investigate the gearbox problems, so hopefully in the not too distant future we can attempt again to s tart the Triumph.
Triumph Tiger 80
The bike is fully assembled and the electrical problems have been overcome. The Friends have tried to start the motorcycle, although there were signs of life, the clutch slipped. The clutch has now been set correctly, but there appears to be a bigger problem with the gearbox. The next step we will take is to investigate the gearbox problems, so hopefully in the not too distant future we can attempt again to s tart the Triumph.
