1976 Elite restoration.

[Doris the dog]

Just now, EXCEL V8 said:

Camber is adjusted with shims between the drive shaft and brake drum.

Pete

Thankyou Pete , mine hasn’t any 🥴

[Doris the dog]

7 minutes ago, EXCEL V8 said:

Camber is adjusted with shims between the drive shaft and brake drum.

Pete

Had a look on SJ site they don’t show any to buy. Are they just circular shims to cover the PCD and diameter of drive shaft. 

[EXCEL V8]

I've never seen an original either - mine had home made ones made from aluminium just as you describe.  Have you measured the camber? Did you have any extra weight in the car or was it empty when you did the measurements?  The camber will change slightly as the car goes up and down on its suspension - not sure if there is a specific ride height at which you're supposed to measure camber/toe - there is for the Excel.  Changing the camber will also very slightly affect the toe of the rear wheels.

Pete

[Doris the dog]

26 minutes ago, EXCEL V8 said:

I've never seen an original either - mine had home made ones made from aluminium just as you describe.  Have you measured the camber? Did you have any extra weight in the car or was it empty when you did the measurements?  The camber will change slightly as the car goes up and down on its suspension - not sure if there is a specific ride height at which you're supposed to measure camber/toe - there is for the Excel.  Changing the camber will also very slightly affect the toe of the rear wheels.

Pete

Pete just going from memory in the manual specification page I think it said up to 6 degrees.   There is a ride height measurement again from memory.  My books are at the friends workshop so cannot check.  
25 litres of fuel plus tools in boot.  
Today I’ve actually driven it around the industrial estate, managed to get it into second gear , without good brakes.  
 Certainly nippy in first gear.  
Have you an idea of shim thickness?

[EXCEL V8]

My camber figure is from the service notes.  Technically it's minus 0.5° +/- 0.5°.  The shim on mine was about 1mm thick - just on one side.  You need to measure the camber accurately to within 0.25° - camber gauges aren't that expensive.  If you know the precise figure for your camber you can add a shim of known thickness and see how much it changes the camber - from that you should be able to calculate the actual thickness you need. 

Pete

[Doris the dog]

7 minutes ago, EXCEL V8 said:

My camber figure is from the service notes.  Technically it's minus 0.5° +/- 0.5°.  The shim on mine was about 1mm thick - just on one side.  You need to measure the camber accurately to within 0.25° - camber gauges aren't that expensive.  If you know the precise figure for your camber you can add a shim of known thickness and see how much it changes the camber - from that you should be able to calculate the actual thickness you need. 

Pete

Thanks again Pete.  
mine needs shim on near side definitely.  Off side is not so obvious by eye. 

[Doris the dog]

1 hour ago, Doris the dog said:

Thanks again Pete.  
mine needs shim on near side definitely.  Off side is not so obvious by eye. 

Pete you’re spot on with wheel camber dimensions. 

[Doris the dog]

Well measured camber on rear near side and it was 5.8 degrees 🥴🥴

Off side was near perfect. 

[EXCEL V8]

Are both lower links straight?  What about the bushes?

Pete

[Doris the dog]

1 minute ago, EXCEL V8 said:

Are both lower links straight?  What about the bushes?

Pete

Hi Pete, bushes and lower links look in good condition.  

[Doris the dog]

Hi all , have found the problem on the rear excessive camber.  
It was bugging me all weekend why I needed to put in such a thick spacer.  
So put it on the ramp to look at the hub.  The inner seal looked shiny and HardySpicer was close.  
Removed split pin , castlated nut was tight, used impact gun on it , instantly aluminium swarft  fell onto ramp. Cut to chase previous mechanic/owner had not managed to put circlip in its groove.  It just laid behind seal. 

They also had problems with the shaft for whatever reason.  
See photos. 
Luckily I have a complete spare hub and shaft. 

[EXCEL V8]

Well done on finding that!  That's not the first I've seen with the circlip installed incorrectly.

Pete

[Doris the dog]

21 minutes ago, EXCEL V8 said:

Well done on finding that!  That's not the first I've seen with the circlip installed incorrectly.

Pete

That could have been ongoing if I hadn’t found it , the more wear on hub , the thicker spacer I would need to add. 

[Doris the dog]

Rear hub back together , all good.  
But the biggest step forward is for the first time since I’ve owned the cat it has a front working wiper. 

[Doris the dog]

Well it’s getting close to go out on the open road.  But had a panic, I had replaced timing belt close on four years ago, with no mileage on it but lots of cranking and misfires I decided to replace it with a new one.  
 

[Doris the dog]

Well it must be getting close now to driving day, started searching for trim pieces etc. where Ive squirrel away after four years. 
One problem is I fitted headliner ( stretch carpet ) years ago still fine , but I’ve covered holes maybe to fit sun visors.  
Am I right in thinking that also there should be a panel bit like the central rollbar cover that covers join between screen and roof.  Never seen one. 
Anyone know about this ? Are sun visors held on with self tapping screws ? 
 

 

[Trunnion 74]

You are correct Doris. No19

[Doris the dog]

4 minutes ago, Trunnion 74 said:

You are correct Doris. No19

Guess there’s not many around , thanks Trunnion

[Trunnion 74]

You're welcome.

🤔 should be possible to make a copy from an existing one...

Roland

[Doris the dog]

It’s got wet today. Tried the wiper.  Have I got it right.  Passenger has a clear screen, driver has to peer through the rain 

[EXCEL V8]

I don't know - I haven't driven mine yet but I fitted an Excel wheelbox as it's supposed to have a larger sweep angle. 

Pete

[Doris the dog]

3 minutes ago, EXCEL V8 said:

I don't know - I haven't driven mine yet but I fitted an Excel wheelbox as it's supposed to have a larger sweep angle. 

Pete

Full range with wiper , not possible to go further Pete

Would be good if wiper parked drivers side.  

[EXCEL V8]

What I mean is that the cleared patch on an Excel is supposed to be larger so that it goes lower on the driver's side - wheelboxes are available with all sorts of ratios.

Pete

[Trunnion 74]

Hi Doris,

Having looked at the Elite launch photo's you have it on the correct side.  I have an early '74 model and if memory serves my wheel box has a 32 tooth gear in it.  Might be worth checking yours, see what it's got?

Roland 

[Doris the dog]

21 minutes ago, Trunnion 74 said:

Hi Doris,

Having looked at the Elite launch photo's you have it on the correct side.  I have an early '74 model and if memory serves my wheel box has a 32 tooth gear in it.  Might be worth checking yours, see what it's got?

Roland 

It basically touches windscreen trim drivers side.  So no further travel possible. B