Handbrake cable Grommets

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Ian21401

Dave,
I prefer my method, you prefer yours and we are each happy with the method we use. So be it.
Curious thing about the missing A frame on mine was, the whole thing had disappeared, A frame, clevis pin and split pin yet the bracket welded to the axle tube was and is still sound. I would have thought that if the A frame had simply corroded and broken, some part, the clevis pin or the split pin or the part of the A frame attached by either of those would have still been present. It was as if I had removed it and forgotten to replace it. Which I know I had not.

Methinks the Phantom Dismantler had been at work!

On my old 827 Coupe, i was changing the rear springs and shocks one day, with help from a friend. He had recently got an 800 and wasn't familiar with the rear shock lower mounting so got me to check the side he was doing and double-check it afterwards. The bottom end of the shock sits in a yoke and the pinch bolt through the yoke sits in a groove on the bottom end of the shock so there's no way it can come out when fitted correctly - which it had been.

I even ran my hand over the bottom of the yoke to feel the domed end of the shock was in the right place - if it hadn't been, there would have been empty space in the lower half of the yoke and all i could feel (and see) was the bottom end of the shock. Bear in mind, the pinch bolt can only go through if the shock is in the right place (or not there at all) so if the shock was through the yoke, it had to be in the right place.

Next day, en route to the MoT, the back end felt a bit lumpy on the side my friend had done. Thinking it was just the new shock bedding in, i drove slowly over the bumps so i didn't blow a seal in the shock. About 3/4 mile into the journey, there was a nasty thud as i caught a pot-hole that i thought i'd missed. The car immediately felt strange so i stopped and looked. The wheel was pointing into the top of the arch so i got my phone and took a picture behind the wheel. The bottom of the shock was resting on the edge of the yoke.

Phoned the MoT place and rebooked, drove home very gently and refitted it as it should be but there is no way that could have happened by itself.

Phantom Dismantler strikes again!

[Ian21401]

And said bolt still present in correct place?

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Ian21401

And said bolt still present in correct place?

It was, and just as tight as it had been!

[Dirty Rooster]

Originally Posted by Ian21401

... An inspection underneath revealed that the A frame part of the compensator gubbins which attaches to the bracket on the axle casing had disappeared ...

Thank you for using the correct term.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Dirty Rooster

Thank you for using the correct term.

Many moons ago i had a girlfriend whose surname was Gubbins - i kid you not! Looks wise she was a cross between Linda Lusardi and Catherine Zeta jones and she was responsible for me getting my head stuck between the front seats of the Austin Ambassador i had at the time!

[Ian21401]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

Many moons ago i had a girlfriend whose surname was Gubbins - i kid you not! Looks wise she was a cross between Linda Lusardi and Catherine Zeta jones and she was responsible for me getting my head stuck between the front seats of the Austin Ambassador i had at the time!

Ee By Gum.
If I remember correctly those cars were quite large inside. Memories eh.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Ian21401

Ee By Gum.
If I remember correctly those cars were quite large inside. Memories eh.

You do indeed remember correctly and it was about 30 years ago now or very close to it.
In terms of passenger/driver space, they were certainly on a par with the 7/9xx Volvos, luggage space was considerably less though, even with that huge hatchback!