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My Brothers Restoration

Posted: Fri, 02 Jul 2010, 3:29 pm
by bigherb
His Portafold that is!

Since purchasing the Portafold late last year my brother has only done a few jobs first was to free off the seized overrun coupling, constant applications of plus gas and a copper mallet eventually freed it. Initial inspection looks like it is saveable but I will have to strip it down later. While we at it I freed of the brake compensator to stop the brakes rubbing which makes it easier to push around. As I was underneath I noticed one of the wheels sitting further away form the axle than the other, as they where both the same later mini wheels I whipped them off for a further look and found my answer, one side had been fitted with not the best wheel spacers I’ve seen!
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That’s better
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Not much involvement over the winter while my brother removed the bitumen paint from the inside of the roof and some fibreglass repairs.
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Some nice spring sunshine. Time to get it up on axle stands and check over the running gear.
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First job to clean up and lubricate the brake compensator so I can check the operation of the brake shoes later.
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After a few overnight soaks with Plus Gas of the trailing arm grub screws, removal of the arms for inspection and regreasing
Oh dear I didn’t want to see this. Virtually devoid of grease and the arm had picked up parts of the plastic bush. Really the axle should have a couple of grease nipples for easier lubrication.

After a good clean up and refitting to check for any play, the arms and bush appear to have survived the lack of lubrication.
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At least the springs where in good condition but a surprising amount of machine swarf stuck to them.
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One tip with dealing with the grub screws especially if you have to use a lot of force to shift corroded screws is to clean out the Allen key hole properly; the key fits in quite a long way up to the mark on the key and use a key of good quality chrome vanadium steel.
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Also leave the lock nut at the top of the screw to stop the Allen key spreading the screw and rounding out.
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Time for reassembly after a good clean and a coat of chassis black.
The seal is in three parts an outer and inner felt washer sandwiching a rubber O ring.
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The brakes where in good condition, just requiring lubrication of the pivot points and new expander boots.
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A new set of wheel bearings. I was unable to locate an original type of seal so used a normal double lip seal instead.
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Just have to source some new tyres and that is most of the main parts of the chassis done.

Re: My Brothers Restoration

Posted: Tue, 04 Nov 2014, 12:45 pm
by Admin
bigherb wrote:Just have to source some new tyres and that is most of the main parts of the chassis done.
I've just come across this from a few years back, and if anyone is after tyres, the ones I'd recommend are:

Camac - 145/R10 Trailer/Trailer Tent/Caravan tyre - 8 Ply

They're available new on eBay, and currently 'Tyre Specialists' in Shipley, West Yorkshire sell them. You can call them on 08458628080.

Re: My Brothers Restoration

Posted: Thu, 31 May 2018, 8:47 am
by bigherb
After 7 years of non use I have taken over my brothers Portafold.
So the restoration starts again.

First job was to free off the hitch again.
After freeing off with a copper mallet and plenty off Plus Gas there was no spring resistance.
So to strip it down and clean out all the hardened grease.
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To find the circlip that fits in this slot which pushes the spring had broken.
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Not an easy job getting a new one in, obviously Bradley had a purpose designed spring compressor. I had to resort to a brake caliper piston push back tool.
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Circlip in place and the end nut tightened. Finally the internals where sprayed with water repellent spray grease to help stop corrosion and a couple of new grease nipples fitted.
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While I was at it made a bracket that is held by the hitch bolts to anchor the breakaway cable.
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Finally refitted ready for a test tow. I used new M10 bolts with nyloc nuts in place of the old imperial bolts
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Re: My Brothers Restoration

Posted: Wed, 27 Jun 2018, 6:27 am
by bigherb
More work.
Wheels have been shot blasted and painted with light ivory paint, three for the porta and one in reserve. Just waiting for the paint to harden off.
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