More life found in Dutton!

[Dave Taylor]

Another 2 jobs done, and I have found our pet spider living in the bottom of the battery compartment, she's lived down there for the last few years. Everytime I lefted the bonnet there was always a web across the cables. she as now been evicted, and with less weight Daisy could be quicker off the mark.

Any way back to the job's list.

I have managed to sort the wiring out for the spot lamps these have not been connected since the small loom fire back when I replace the engine after shortening the sump. I had re-wired the loom after it got very hot, but had never re-connected the relay. just a case of connecting it in the right order, job done now have spot lamp's again.

Next, I was never happy with the steering column since fitting the new rubber coupling late last summer, it always felt like the was a lot of play somewhere, I just thought the top bush was getting warn, what a surprise to find that the bottom pinch bolt was tight but the coupling was still loose, Why? because I had not pushed it fully on to the splines to enable the pinch bolt to go through the cut out, instead it was tightened up on itself but not clamped to any thing. Just call me lucky, it could have come off any time leaving me with no steering. That would have been fun as the last run was down the motorway back from Buffalo Joe's breakfast run. Steve K as just been helping me and he was in the car on that run,

I think he'll be OK though the strong sweet tea seems to have calmed his nerves.

It is also the reason the steering lock didn't work either ( I know Steve H steering lock, it's getting to sound like a Westie).

So cleaned the splines on both sides, and with the use of a little percussion, well a 2lb hammer, it fits and I have a steering lock again. Only problem now is that the top bush as warn, I say bush what i really mean is the Morrisson's Points card. as I was out of stock of this part, i have improved it by using a Body filler spreader, No! not the cheap type but a nylon type.

Hey no expense spared here.

Steering wheel back on, Job done :-).

Now got the battery off and on charge, just to see if I can get life back into it, it say on the label Maintainence free, but when I got the caps off off it I could see the top of the plate's, so topped the cells see if that works.