Tag Archives: rear springs

27/8/2018

27/08/2018 Nigel

23/8/2018

Fitted the first of the new rear springs today. Jacking and packing until the spring was aligned in the front mounting and the forward shackle pin was through the spring eye and the chassis mounts. The forward shackle pin is a brand-new item intended for a Matador so has a UNF threaded section. Once hung from the forward mounting, the spring could be jacked up until the cast hangers could be fitted. The topmost shackle pin had a short threaded section so the castellated nut had to be turned down to fit properly with a split pin to lock it. The pinch bolt nuts are the wrong length at this stage. Here is the spring in place when first hung from the chassis:

25/8/2018

Second spring (left hand/near side) fitted today. This one needed a packing washer fitted on the outer side of the spring eye to get it to align correctly without bending the rearwards hangers. I made the packing washer by boring an old shock absorber bush washer in the lathe. Started turning down the pinch bolt nyloc nuts.

Finished turning down the nyloc pinch bolt nuts and fitted them to the nearside spring mountings. Made two new washers for the forward shackle pins and fitted them and the nyloc nuts to tension the pins. These need a final tighten/torqueing. All that remains to do to complete the rear suspension is to fit the remainder of the pinch bolt nuts and tighten it all up, then the axle can be lowered onto the springs and the u-bolts fitted.

24/6/2018

24/06/2018 Nigel

This week’s work:
Made the mould for the missing rear axle bump stop. Poured it around tea time. New rear springs arrived:

Next day, removed new bump stop moulding from mould – new on the left, old on the right and ordered material to make the mounting plates

Then started to strip shock absorber to replace the lever arm bushes. Much heat required (note smoke):

Successfully removed

But broke the shock absorber casing whilst pressing out the shaft. Not pleased.

(21/6)

Started to make 1/2″ BSF bolt for locking the shackle pins – I am one short at the moment.

(22/6)

Started cleaning and checking the 1/2″ BSF shackle pin clamp bolts. There are 12 in all and I’ve done six of the original ones. Made two new ones, had to use a die nut on 1/2″ UNF bolt shanks using the old thread to get the nut started but new BSF thread on the working length. Looks like I need to make three more unless they turn up. Odd, as I didn’t have to cut any of them though several of the originals are too damaged to use.

Still trying to find a lever arm damper to replace the one I accidentally destroyed.

(23/6)

Finished making the shackle pin clamp bolts and made a start on the stripping the rear bodywork. Removed beading from rear offside corner. Emergency door had a piece of steel screwed over the rear edge to prevent it being opened.

23/5/2018

23/05/2018 Nigel

Created this blog from the ashes of the previous WordPress installation.

Initial assessment shows at least the following need immediate attention:

Rear springs (collapsed), interior wiring – insulation disintegrating, front brakes – no vacuum hoses. Fuel system autovac is not lifting fuel from the main tank. Engine frequently refuses to rev up on accelerator pedal – this seems to come and go.

Boot doors. Lower perimeter wood work. Window pans – all appear rotten on the outside.

Work done on the bus to date:

Work commenced December 2017 as follows:

Rear springs removed and sent to Paddington Springs for refurbishment. New U-bolts were made from 1″ MS round bar and threaded BSW by me, very hard work, took two days! The bending and flattened saddle seat were done at a local forge. All the shackle pins needed replacing so these were obtained from Martyn Callaghan along with a new wheel stud for the the O/S rear hub. Rear shock absorbers removed for examination. O/S shock absorber has play in the lever arm bush and leaks around the bush.

Rear brakes dismantled, hubs removed and scissors adjusters removed. Scissors adjusters siezed by corrosion and needed Oxy-Acetylene heat to separate.

Remains of brake dust shields removed (required hubs to be removed,) see below.

Shock absorber drop links removed. Rubber bushing in drop links completely shot. One drop link had thread wear and threaded bush would not tighten so a new drop link was fabricated from 3/4″ MS round bar and threaded 3/4″ BSF to suit.