You know how it is, you get so busy doing everyone else's cars and forget your own... the insurance renewal came through in the post on the same day as my tax reminder for the Vitesse, which made me check the MOT expiry of the Stag and Vitesse. The Vitesse is next month, but Whoops, the Stag was out by 3 days!
So I thought what will prevent another years ticket? The rear brakes and handbrake were dire and in need of serious attention.
First, I thought the modified backplates with MGB manual adjusters should go on, with some new wheel cylinders.... First one comes off, but then I notice the outer shaft UJ was shot - and I didn't have one - a quick call to Steve at Motos, my local factor who have served me well for 35 years, yielded a stock of 2 genuine GKN joints, to which dibs were immediately called.. 20 minutes later they were in my hands (thanks Motos - once again, bacon saved!).
In the process of changing the UJs I found a couple of the circlips were stuck in the grooves so I gave the ears of the circlips a whack with a chisel to loosen them off - the chisel easily marked the cups! What sort of crap metal were they made from???? Little wonder that the UJ was knackered - the joints were obviously made from hard cheese judging by the hardness of the bearing cups...
While the driveshafts were out, it gave me a chance to change the rear spring insulators to poly and fit new rear shocks as one was a bit damp.
Anyway l removed the backplates and transferred the shoes and springs, knocked the auto adjusters to fully off and adjusted the brakes on the manual adjusters and found the handbrake cable needed slackening right back to the end to reconnect to the lever - a positive sign! Also made a pair of new flex to wheel cylinder metal lines using one of my nice Xmas prezzies, that makes brilliant brake flares in seconds....
Went to the other side and found the outer driveshaft UJ shagged on that side too - good job I had 2...
Came to bleed the brakes and the NS wouldn't bleed at all - the flex had gone home, and so out comes the Goodrich steel hose kit bought during the last VAT free sale at the brothers.... did the rear two, but the fronts, together with the front poly bush kit and leg inserts are tomorrow mornings job, and an MOT is booked for Wednesday at 4pm... Oh and for the first time in years, the handbrake holds on a hill!
Isn't Classic ownership fun? At least the Alvis passed its MOT this morning..
Here is a PIC of the converted brake....
Russ
So I thought what will prevent another years ticket? The rear brakes and handbrake were dire and in need of serious attention.
First, I thought the modified backplates with MGB manual adjusters should go on, with some new wheel cylinders.... First one comes off, but then I notice the outer shaft UJ was shot - and I didn't have one - a quick call to Steve at Motos, my local factor who have served me well for 35 years, yielded a stock of 2 genuine GKN joints, to which dibs were immediately called.. 20 minutes later they were in my hands (thanks Motos - once again, bacon saved!).
In the process of changing the UJs I found a couple of the circlips were stuck in the grooves so I gave the ears of the circlips a whack with a chisel to loosen them off - the chisel easily marked the cups! What sort of crap metal were they made from???? Little wonder that the UJ was knackered - the joints were obviously made from hard cheese judging by the hardness of the bearing cups...
While the driveshafts were out, it gave me a chance to change the rear spring insulators to poly and fit new rear shocks as one was a bit damp.
Anyway l removed the backplates and transferred the shoes and springs, knocked the auto adjusters to fully off and adjusted the brakes on the manual adjusters and found the handbrake cable needed slackening right back to the end to reconnect to the lever - a positive sign! Also made a pair of new flex to wheel cylinder metal lines using one of my nice Xmas prezzies, that makes brilliant brake flares in seconds....
Went to the other side and found the outer driveshaft UJ shagged on that side too - good job I had 2...
Came to bleed the brakes and the NS wouldn't bleed at all - the flex had gone home, and so out comes the Goodrich steel hose kit bought during the last VAT free sale at the brothers.... did the rear two, but the fronts, together with the front poly bush kit and leg inserts are tomorrow mornings job, and an MOT is booked for Wednesday at 4pm... Oh and for the first time in years, the handbrake holds on a hill!
Isn't Classic ownership fun? At least the Alvis passed its MOT this morning..
Here is a PIC of the converted brake....
Russ
Oh just encase there are any counterfeiters out there I understand the patent has been applied for.
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