My Brothers Restoration
Posted: Fri, 02 Jul 2010, 3:29 pm
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!
That’s better
Not much involvement over the winter while my brother removed the bitumen paint from the inside of the roof and some fibreglass repairs.
Some nice spring sunshine. Time to get it up on axle stands and check over the running gear.
First job to clean up and lubricate the brake compensator so I can check the operation of the brake shoes later.
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.
At least the springs where in good condition but a surprising amount of machine swarf stuck to them.
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.
Also leave the lock nut at the top of the screw to stop the Allen key spreading the screw and rounding out.
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.
The brakes where in good condition, just requiring lubrication of the pivot points and new expander boots.
A new set of wheel bearings. I was unable to locate an original type of seal so used a normal double lip seal instead.
Just have to source some new tyres and that is most of the main parts of the chassis done.
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!
That’s better
Not much involvement over the winter while my brother removed the bitumen paint from the inside of the roof and some fibreglass repairs.
Some nice spring sunshine. Time to get it up on axle stands and check over the running gear.
First job to clean up and lubricate the brake compensator so I can check the operation of the brake shoes later.
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.
At least the springs where in good condition but a surprising amount of machine swarf stuck to them.
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.
Also leave the lock nut at the top of the screw to stop the Allen key spreading the screw and rounding out.
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.
The brakes where in good condition, just requiring lubrication of the pivot points and new expander boots.
A new set of wheel bearings. I was unable to locate an original type of seal so used a normal double lip seal instead.
Just have to source some new tyres and that is most of the main parts of the chassis done.