RHD 16" Doka

[silverbullet]

I've read some back-handed compliments in my time, but that ^^^ takes the biscuit!

I like it purely because the steering wheel is on the correct side

[KarlT]

[jes*b]

Am trying hard not to get too sucked in but ....PO removed wheel arch trims and has managed to snap all but a few studs
I remember a thread ages ago about how to refurb the 16" arches some sort of epoxy/ retap/ thread affair but I can't find it. Mmickey posted some good info when refurbing the Xriss Atlantic but I am sure I saw a really detailed thread somewhere a good while prior to that. Perhaps over on another channel?

[HarryMann]

I think that might have been an article by Jake, quite a while ago...

Are you aware of the Tech Archive forums?

Are you aware forums can be powerfully searched?

It may be there

[syncropete]

Sikaflex.

[HarryMann]

Yes Pete cheers, Sikaflex (221) is involved

Ah, It was Syncrosimon and SyncroPete back then with the definitive and well engineered fix, as usual

From the Tech Archive

Other (small) spat solutions...

[jes*b]

As my other van STILL has no front diff fitted (& prop and driveshafts) this is a bit new to me........The front calliper is binding on the van , I freed it off manually but even after greasing the slider bolts its still binding, calliper seal has seen better days so thats next, possibly the pipe is collapsing (how to test for that?) anyway I digress....

When the calliper was free with the wheel jacked up, in neutral, it would not turn freely ? (at all) with both front wheels jacked up they both spun freely (with a small amount of resistance, the prop was spinning) I was out of time but i did have time to jack the offending front wheel up again and chock the back ones and the grounded front wheel was trying to pull me forward. What ya think? sound normal or is there an issue?

[HarryMann]

Yes, normal, the VC has a fair residual static torque, possibly 20~40 ft-lbf, some due to the seal friction and some due to oil viscosity

[jes*b]

Breathes sigh of relief until next time

[jes*b]

And next time is here already ..... Where can I pick up a rubber boot for top ball joint ( is that 16" specific?)

[syncropaddy]

And next time is here already ..... Where can I pick up a rubber boot for top ball joint ( is that 16" specific?)

Oh go on .... buy the whole ball joint!

[jes*b]

ok ordered a new ball joint along with a few other 'must haves' from BW. Looking for minimum intervention on van before Devon, should i replace whole ball joint (test first?) if so how (please tell me i don't have to remove whole upright??) , or should i just replace the rubber boot , or is it a case of not doing one without other.

[HarryMann]

No Jes,

Once the boot is gone, in wet weather driving, a day or so and the joint is going downhill rapidement

So, using the right combination spanner (think its 27mm) undo the nut behind the upright (that is, inside its upper concavity).

Don't be tempted to break the taper joint prematurely, it's along way to wind that nut off otherwise

When nut within an inch of its life, break the taper (4lb dolly and 2lb club hammer diametrically opposed)

Proceed to finish the job

Clean, degrease and put the old perfect balljoint on your mantlepiece, the like of which hasn't been seen since the last episode of Upstarts Downstairs (the mantlepiece that is)

Open a bottle of (real) beer, carefully pour a pefect pint (into a perfetcly proper glass) and consume with feet up over a fairly extended period, job well done (no tinnies, they're fizzy "pooh" of course in my book)

[jes*b]

sounds easy,i fancy my chances with it all ....except the real ale!! as i live virtually in france, a high quality pilsner larger is the beer of choice or even some trappist gear (you did give me some recommendations but I forgot them as I had been supping on pauls concoctions) , from a glass bottle. Real Ale is for beardie types in aran sweaters...... and Ian.

[HarryMann]

Nope, real ale is for those wanting nutrition as well as drunkeness from their imbibements.. and a certain je ne sais quoi aftertaste

I may have mentioned Orval, as well as Rodenbach... if you like Pilsners then the Orval, in the right glass of course, may be more to your taste, but the two Rodenbachs, Grand Cru (6%) and Rodenbach (5.2) are quite special IMHO (PaulJBG spat them out I believe he said, but hasn't supplied me the crate he bought, maybe its an acquired taste, and he''s got it now, still waiting Paul)

Aidan gave me a book of Belgian beers at SP (he's thinning down his bookshelves)... it has over 1500 beers in it, and Belgium is not that big a place. It doesn't even include specials brewed fpr special days like Christmas, holidays or for local sale only... just gives an idea of the diversity.

NB. The Belgian repertoire contains Pilsners style beer, but the really famous styles are Gueze and Lambic - sour beers produced by spontaneous fermentation Old Guezes and Lambics are aged in oak barrels for a liong time