You all promise not to laugh, right....
Well, I finally bit the bullet at Billing, as the hybrid was looking rather sad and saggy at the left front, so a nice shiny set of springs and shocks were obtained for a very nice price. No names, but "firm ground" springs (ha!) to mind....
When I built the thing years ago, I pre-fitted longer brake pipes, planning ahead for once. Didn't go for a lift then, as wanted not to "P" off the insurers too much. But several years on.........
This weekend was designated spannering time. As the MOT looms in a couple of weeks, plus my yearly trip to Farmer Phil's too. (google it, when you PC "Moo's" at you, you found it!)
So... Back end first, as that's easier, no real problems all done in about 4 hours. For a 2" lift, it's gone up 3"1/2! The 10 year old and abused coily bits were obviously in need... Found a bad wheel bearing though, but thought, will sort that out afterwards, I know I have the needed bits, and how long does it take to change a bearing anyway...
Saturday, did the front end, but of a wrestle but they went in. I need to get a new 19mm ratchet ring though, it wore out taking the old shocks off. (The bottom nut.) Turrets in good nick, so a quick dust removal and whiz of a brush and they went back on OK. But.. In doing that, found one of the spring seats was bent to bu***ry... No idea when/where that was done, but a friend said he had a spare I could have, so this morning, went and got that. (Thanks Jon)
Decided to do the rear wheel bearing, as that was more critical in my mind, than the bent spring seat, and I could do the spring seat at the side of the road anyway, much easier than the wheel bearing, purely due to the way it gets parked..
Well, it goes from bad to worse (It's a Land Rover thing)... Bearing totally lunched, hub full of what looks like fine red sand! (The bearing races when removed, have a "copper" look to them. Not seen that before..)
It all comes apart OK with a bit of a fight (caliper bolts!) And on removal, I can see that something had torn the hub seal to bits (quite what, and how it got there????) the rest as they say is history...
Check my "inventory" and yes, bearings, lockwashers etc all "in stock". I've even got two Salisbury stub axles, bought at a time when I could afford such things on-spec, which is good, as on the old one, the hub seal running area is mullered!. All goes well, up to the point of installing hub + bearings etc on the nice shiny stub.
It just wont go, no way Jose!... I've done enough wheel bearings in the past (including while out laning!) to know when things are just not going to go, and this is one such time.
Short version of long story. It's all clean, but the stub is oversize, and has some ovality at the end. I go get the other one and check that. It's just oversize. Even forcing a bearing center on with the locknut, it will not go (a sacrificial used bearing, so I know it came off a stub in the past!)
I know about limits and fits, but this is just barking bonkers.
Well, I run out of time and more importantly patience, so the neighbors are going to have to lump it, with a caravan on the grass and a three legged Landy on the drive. Looking at the boxes the Stubs came in, one word is evident...
I begins with 'B' and ends in 'part'.
So that's that then. Start again with new (if I can find them) Genuine Parts stubs. Goodness knows how much they will be, these B'part scrappers were nearly £60 4 years ago! Anyone want some door stops?
Oh B***er! No beer in the fridge either, and I've missed Jeremy and the lads. But I think there is some G&T in the c'van, and I'm sure I can find something on the digibox to warp the grey cell...
If you look at it from the side with both legg's, The LR does look nice sitting higher on the new springs. And the cat approves, she spent all day curled up on the drivers seat.
You can all stop laughing now...
Dave B.
Owner of a three legged stationary Land Rover!.