E55 LBR the parallel project

[fay66]

Got the little beast jacked up enough to get under and dismantled the linkage a bit and removed the swivel bracket thing and it is well worn as are some of the bushes and securing pins. Quick blast round Ebay found a UK supplier for the bracket and bushes so will be here next week. I will probably take all the linkage off and clean it up and a lick of paint before it all goes back on. We can then have a few laps of the car park!!!
Clarkey

If I remember correctly  the bushes in the linkage under the Y10 were a real pain and very hard to push back into place.
And make sure the boots are in good condition or replaced.
Brian
8227

[frankxhv773t]

I'll second that on the rod end bushes. I drifted one out from my spare linkage using a socket as a drift and it got thoroughly mashed. It struck me then that it would be a challenge to fit a new one. Presumably boiling water, lubricant and a good heavy vice are the way to go.

[fay66]

I'll second that on the rod end bushes. I drifted one out from my spare linkage using a socket as a drift and it got thoroughly mashed. It struck me then that it would be a challenge to fit a new one. Presumably boiling water, lubricant and a good heavy vice are the way to go.

Can't remember how I did do it now, but I think a pair of large molegrips were involved!
Brian
8227

[lancianut666]

Parcel came today with new lever thingy good service and the price was about the same as sourcing from Italy but arrived a lot quicker from Ricambo International Ltd. Just waiting for the bushes to arrive now.
Clarkey

[lancianut666]

Managed to source this servo for £17.50 from ebay...not convinced mine is working as the pedal is rock solid. interestingly the chap selling it was going to use it on a Y10 based kitcar an Onyx Firefly...looks like a two pairs of underpants ride to me  The one in the pics is based on an Uno.
Clarkey

[lancianut666]

for more pics see here https://picclick.co.uk/Onyx-Firefly-kit-car-also-known-sold-as-Alphax-122481181146.html#&gid=1&pid=11

[lancianut666]

More work done on the linkage...gave the rods a quick clean up and paint then got the bushes out at the gearbox end as the kit of spares is the wrong one and only has 2 bushes in it. The one at the stick end seems OK and was clean and had plenty of grease on it. The boot is shot and I've ordered a new one. When pressing the new bushes in I felt the new ones were made of a much softer material than the ones that came out time will tell. All back on the car and an initial trial the change is a lot better so I'll try and get it tidied up in the cab and see how it feels.
Clarkey

[lancianut666]

The kit (for a 4x4 panda )supplied some plastic bushes for where the stick connects to the rod but on my car it had 2 roller bearings so I just cleaned them up and put some fresh grease in. Luckily in the kit were a set of the spring clip pins that hold the joints in tension as the ones on the car were showing signs of wear.

[lancianut666]

better pic of the bush coming out

[lancianut666]

I think the purchase of the press has been justified I think the old bushes would have succumbed to the usual jets of flame and hammers and hacksaws but putting the new ones back in would as people have commented been a pain. It has also been used to press out and in 4 wheel bearings and 2 front hubs on the Suzuki. Had a thought while I am waiting for the new gear change boot to arrive I might change the cam belt, water pump, tensioner and put the new cover I have on.
Clarkey

[lancianut666]

Made a start on changing the cam belt but surprise surprise it looks like the timing is out judging by the admittedly poor picture in the workshop manual I have that is a scan of a picture of a picture by the look of it. The cam sprocket when lined up with the mark on the head looks as if it puts the crank a way off the mark on the casting.

[lancianut666]

Still we carried on taking the belts off draining the water and removing the tensioner and waterpump. The water coming out is the colour of tomato soup...needs a flush out with the hosepipe methinks...more fun tomorrow.
Once the engine mount was out of the way it is not too bad for access.
Clarkey

[lancianut666]

Hmmmm Heinz tomato soup...

[lancianut666]

Update on the gear linkage boot is that the seller wanted another 10 euros for 'customs' before he would send it so 10 euros later it is in the post.
Clarkey

[lancianut666]

Thoughts on the gearchange after I had put the little console back in etc...bit underwhelmed the stick does centre itself a lot better but I was expecting more but on reflection the car has done 98k miles so there is wear in the rest of the linkages that are metal on metal. We will know better when we give it a few laps round the carpark. I might rearrange the motorbike licence chaps test circuit to give me a bit more of a run as well as a longer straight...might get into 4th gear...be interesting if the timing has been out can't wait