Section : General

MoT failure problems

Posted By : Michael Cook, 26-Sep-2003, 11:39am

• MoT failure problems

  Posted By : Adrian Lee, 26-Sep-2003, 12:04pm

  Side rails and front brakes are a very easy straight forward job to a competant meccano-ic.Should not be too expensive.

  • MoT failure problems

    Posted By : Michael Cook, 26-Sep-2003, 12:29pm

    Adrian
    Thanks for the quick response and reassurance.
    
    But what beastly horrors might the aforesaid competent meccano-ic find when removing/refitting side rails? Could outriggers also need replacing? And if so, would that be a body-off job?
    Yours in abject panic...
    
    Mike

    • MoT failure problems

      Posted By : Barry Huffer, 26-Sep-2003, 01:00pm

      Where are you?
      
      I have used a one man band garage for welding who is Triumph apprenticed, has rstored a Vitesse, works on a lot of different classics and will be honest with you.
      
      He is in N Herts.
      
      Regards
      
      Barry

      • MoT failure problems

        Posted By : Michael Cook, 26-Sep-2003, 01:55pm

        Barry
        
        Thanks but I'm in Leeds! Hope I can find a similarly clued-up and honest guy up here!
        
        Regards
        
        Mike

        • MoT failure problems

          Posted By : Adrian Lee, 26-Sep-2003, 02:03pm

          I live in the great metropolis of Accrington,Steve at Triumphnuts in Warrington is spot on........01925 732815...i`m sure one of the Yorks members could recommend someone a bit nearer for you.....or buy a welder and a grinder and have a go yourself!!!!!!

          • MoT failure problems

            Posted By : Steve Cureton, 26-Sep-2003, 09:00pm

            From experience I wouldn't bother replacing pistons and seals on the front calipers - it's a messy job and doesn't usually last too long before these start to stick again. I recently replaced my calipers for recon units at £40 each and the difference in the brakes is impressive. Costs a fair bit more than repair kits but much better result

            • MoT failure problems

              Posted By : Michael Cook, 29-Sep-2003, 12:35pm

              Thanks for the advice which sounds like a fine idea. Can I take it that calipers must be changed in pairs, left and right, or is it possible to save money by doing one side?
              
              Yours impecuniously
              
              Mike

              • MoT failure problems

                Posted By : Adrian Lee, 29-Sep-2003, 06:37pm

                Its your car/life....i`d change both to be honest Michael.

• MoT failure problems

  Posted By : William Davies, 26-Sep-2003, 01:02pm

  Hi Mike,
  The siderails are fairly straightforward, but use good quality replacements. Don't be tempted to use the wafer thin replacements some suppliers sell, get heavy gauge ones to original (or heavier) spec from a reputable specialist. Fitting will require removal of the sills (which are only screwed on) and there may be some rot in the extremities of the outriggers. Worst case scenario is a need for all new outriggers (unlikely or they'd have been picked up by the MOT), which can generally be changed with the body in situ. The only difficulty is the centre rigger where the top edge can't be welded as it's beneath the floor pan. Worry about this only if it needs replacing - there are ways around it.
  As regards the sticking brakes, has the car been laid up for any length of time? It's a perfect symptom of a car which is under used (which is why we all need to get out there and drive our cars!). Typically the caliper/cylinder will need re-sealing. Personally, I don't re-seal rear cylinder as the replacements are so cheap. Caliper seals aren't expensive, but if you find you need new caliper pistons it might work out more economical to fit reconditioned calipers, especially if you're paying someone else to fit the seals.
  Cheers,
  Bill.
  

  • MoT failure problems

    Posted By : Michael Cook, 26-Sep-2003, 01:46pm

    Bill
    
    That's really helpful and reassuring. When I find someone to fix the problems I'll be on the phone for the parts! Certainly it is good to know that the rails and outriggers can be replaced without doing a full body-off.
    
    The car has been used fairly regularly since I got it, but under-used is certainly an appropriate way to describe it. It has in the past has a long spell laid up.
    
    Rear brakes don't worry me I can easily replace rear cylinder and have done it before, but I'm not so sure how to handle calipers unless I just replace them with reconditioned.
    
    Fortunately the Herald is not my only car so I suppose I've got until the spring to sort the problems out.
    
    Thanks again
    
    Mike
    

    • MoT failure problems

      Posted By : Adrian Lee, 26-Sep-2003, 01:56pm

      If you weld an extension piece to the top of the middle outriggers you can weld it around the chassis without taking the body off......well it worked for me.If the outriggers were rotted at the chassis outer rail i would assume that the tester would have picked up on it.Where are you?