CS work started, a few questions...

[BertBert]

Well finally got it up on chassis stands today (I had them made for me). Bit of a scary job to get there, but it's ok. It's not brilliantly balanced (rear heavy), but it does the job.

So in no specific order...
1 my reverser doesn't work at all (as usual), I think I need it to do something if I'm going to race. Anyone know where to get it refurbished?

2 my plumbed in fire extinguisher has a "next service date" which has been and gone (06). The needle is still in the green. Will I need to get it serviced to comply with racing regs.

3 I need to replace the F offside wheel bearing. Is there any hints on how to undo the bottom upright bolt (through the sperical joint) it's tighter than a tight thing. One problem is holding the upright to lever against without just letting the rack go to the end of its travel.

4 To run on dunlops needs more rear neg camber, does it need the shorter rear upper wishbones to achieve it?

Thanks all
Bert

[ScottHughes]

BertBert said:

Well finally got it up on chassis stands today (I had them made for me). Bit of a scary job to get there, but it's ok. It's not brilliantly balanced (rear heavy), but it does the job.

So in no specific order...
1 my reverser doesn't work at all (as usual), I think I need it to do something if I'm going to race. Anyone know where to get it refurbished?

2 my plumbed in fire extinguisher has a "next service date" which has been and gone (06). The needle is still in the green. Will I need to get it serviced to comply with racing regs.

3 I need to replace the F offside wheel bearing. Is there any hints on how to undo the bottom upright bolt (through the sperical joint) it's tighter than a tight thing. One problem is holding the upright to lever against without just letting the rack go to the end of its travel.

4 To run on dunlops needs more rear neg camber, does it need the shorter rear upper wishbones to achieve it?

Thanks all
Bert

You will need to get the fire Ex re-filled and serviced, for an SPA 2.25l one its about £25 so its not as expensive as most motorsport things!

[RobC]

1 - Find a local starter motor/alternator refurbisher, I had mine done locally and it now actually works....well as well as they ever did

2 - As Scott says it'll need doing, plus its one of those items that you really want to work when you need it. I have a local firm do mine, it is AFFF so most extinguisher companies will be able to do it, or if its SPA Merlin Motorsport can do it.

3 - Either a 3' breaker bar with someone holding the wheel. Or use a ratchet gun. One problem is the bolt can become rusted into the bearing which makes the job even more entertaining

4 - Sure one of the radial runners will answer that one

[Death Monkey Man]

On number 3. If its been done properly the lower bolt will be loctite'd in place so some pre heating with a heat gun may release it a little easier.

On 4. follow this link to the Radical online shop to find high and low camber rear wishbones: http://secure2.cyberware.co.uk/~rad-shop/acatalog/...

Also - http://secure2.cyberware.co.uk/~rad-shop/acatalog/... - - for the corresponding front wishbones.

[lanan]

If it is a Lifeline system. We are a Lifeline service centre, £35 for mechanical or electrical.
Graham

[BertBert]

excellent, thanks for the answers everyone. Just one left...

Does one need the rear short upper wishbone to get the required camber for radial slicks?

Thanks
Bert

[RobC]

Easy answer, wind the rose joint all the way in and see what the camber is

[BertBert]

RobC said:

Easy answer, wind the rose joint all the way in and see what the camber is

I don't understand what you mean. Get out of my nice warm chair, put down my beer and go into the garage? Are you a mad person?



Bert

[RobC]

Sorry I should have put more thought into my answer

[jpivey]

If you can't get enough camber send me an email!!!!!

[BertBert]

of course, it's now up on stands, not at the proper ride height, so I have no idea where to measure the camber!

Took off one of the front uprights today to replace the wheel bearing to find that the weld around the bottom lug for the caliper was badly cracked.

Looks like it is mendable though.

Bert

[Simon T]

Get out your angle grinder and take 5mm of the outside face of the rod end mount hole - that'll get you about 2deg of neg camber

Simon

[BertBert]

Simon T said:

Get out your angle grinder and take 5mm of the outside face of the rod end mount hole - that'll get you about 2deg of neg camber

Simon

Doesn;t the adjuster need a tapered face?

Bert

[BertBert]

Do the bushes in Radicals wear or get tired? I assume mine have been in there since birth (its, not mine)! Was wondering if it's worth inspecting them or replacing anyway as I have it in bits.

BErt

[jpivey]

Do you mean the red bushes in the wishbones a pain in the arse to change getting the bushes in is easy you try and get the pin in can't put it in the vice and pull the pin in just squeezes the bushes, well i had problems any way, but then are they worn any play.
Rob will tell us

[BertBert]

jpivey said:

Do you mean the red bushes in the wishbones a pain in the arse to change getting the bushes in is easy you try and get the pin in can't put it in the vice and pull the pin in just squeezes the bushes, well i had problems any way, but then are they worn any play.
Rob will tell us

Yep, them's the ones. Looks like a pain to me JP!
BErt

[RobC]

Can be done on the car, just use a g-clamp to push the sleeves in. The actual bush design isn't very good imho, I have seen wishbones with proper spherical bearings in them, don't know if they are Radical made but they are far superior to the cheap red plastic things they supply now

[BertBert]

RobC said:

Can be done on the car, just use a g-clamp to push the sleeves in. The actual bush design isn't very good imho, I have seen wishbones with proper spherical bearings in them, don't know if they are Radical made but they are far superior to the cheap red plastic things they supply now

Did you say cheap???!!!

[RobC]

If they were a decent product they are priced quite fairly. If you want a shock look up the price of the uprated ones as fitted to the SR5/8

[Simon T]

Can't remember but the nut has a taper and that will centre the rod end as you tighten it. worked for me on my CS

Simon