JohnD Posted May 1, 2022 Share Posted May 1, 2022 The TRansit (Mk6 LWB Hitop race truck) has a noise from the rear. Speed related, less a whine, but not so deep as a rumble, the wheel bearings seem fine. The diff rear cover looks as though it's been off at some time, lots of sealant around it, and looks like a leak now or before, but it's full of oil. However, that oil is full of 'silvery' bits! I've read elsewhere that they always make a noise. But those bits in the oil - is there a bearing breaking down? Hoping to take it to Le Mans this summer. Don't want a major failure on the way. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted May 1, 2022 Share Posted May 1, 2022 Silvery oil is never a good thing…… And if you can hear a noise from the back of a Transit….. it must be quite loud! I’d be moderately concerned, especially if going continental. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escadrille Ecosse Posted May 1, 2022 Share Posted May 1, 2022 (edited) Hmmm. With Nick on this one, especially as you plan on 'going all European' with it. Having a look around there are a number of options out there Replacement bearings are cheap but there is the complexity of rebuilding and it could be gear wear rather than bearing wear. Replacement diffs or complete axles are relatively cheap and abundant. Looking here suggests going for the latter option https://fordtransit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=196680 Opportunity to re-evaluate the diff ratio while you are at it if you so desire. Edited May 1, 2022 by Escadrille Ecosse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted May 1, 2022 Author Share Posted May 1, 2022 (edited) Glad to have my suspicions reinforced. 150 mile round trip planned tomorrow - I'm taking the damper testing rig to Gawsworth Hall Classics with the Red Rose TRs. That could be interesting. And I've been researching firms that can fit reconditioned diffs, as the rest of the van is in fine fettle. If the diff can be made reliable, then that will be better for Le Mans, where I have a gig as garage boy with one of the teams, and for it's day job, as race truck. Kits of parts for Transit diffs available, but it's skilled job installing them, not one I fancy doing flat on my back in the driveway. Yes, Colin, or complete axle! John Edited May 1, 2022 by JohnD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted May 1, 2022 Share Posted May 1, 2022 If there is damage enough to turn the oil silver it’s likely the gears will have damage too. I’d be loathe to use any of it. Diffs best assembled by those who know exactly what they are doing and have the right tools. That or a complete axle swap, which isn’t really a one-man-on-a-driveway job either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escadrille Ecosse Posted May 2, 2022 Share Posted May 2, 2022 10 hours ago, Nick Jones said: That or a complete axle swap, which isn’t really a one-man-on-a-driveway job either. At least it's a big enough van so you can shelter under it when half way through and it starts pissing down with rain But yes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted May 2, 2022 Author Share Posted May 2, 2022 Made it to Gawsworth! Nice little show! Fingers crossed for return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted May 2, 2022 Share Posted May 2, 2022 2 hours ago, Escadrille Ecosse said: At least it's a big enough van so you can shelter under it when half way through and it starts pissing down with rain I suppose there is that small advantage. But, having worked just a little on a friends Transit of similar age and size, I can tell you that everything is rather big to the eyes of a car mechanic. You need a big trolley-jack, big axle stands, big spanners and big muscles….. Have a good day John and best wishes for a trouble-free return journey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escadrille Ecosse Posted May 2, 2022 Share Posted May 2, 2022 1 hour ago, Nick Jones said: can tell you that everything is rather big to the eyes of a car mechanic. You need a big trolley-jack, big axle stands, big spanners and big muscles….. Compared to small Triumphs, everything is big Safe back John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted May 2, 2022 Author Share Posted May 2, 2022 I am, thank you both! I'm not a car show goer, and not one who goes to club meets either. The sight of a convoy of Escort "Mexicos" (well, Mexico replicas) arriving in their own area, and the owners leaping out armed with sprays and polishing cloths, confirmed all my prejudices. But my attempt to interest the punters in general, let alone the many owners of TR6s who attended, by running the engine rig/crank damper tester that I carried in the TRansit, was stymied by the people in the next area, at least 20 feet away, who complained to the show runner that they didn't like the smell of the exhaust. I was asked to turn off the engine rig, and not wanting to be escorted off another show ground by Security, I complied. As a result, I spoke to about six people all day about the demo, as one engine is very like another, even when accompanied by graphs and specimen crank dampers I'm sure those people who don't car exhausts but still go to a car show, are lovely, tolerant, grannie and ickle-kitten loving, all-round good sorts, and I hate the usual bias against MG people, but reader, I cannot tell a lie, it was them. The b*rst*rds. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted May 2, 2022 Share Posted May 2, 2022 9 minutes ago, JohnD said: who complained to the show runner that they didn't like the smell of the exhaust. FFS….. maybe they need to try a different hobby. Have they all retro-fitted catalytic converters to their Morris Garages tractors, or are they the newer plastic variety? Polishers….. deviants….. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamish Posted May 2, 2022 Share Posted May 2, 2022 John I really felt your pain. I hadn’t prebooked for the show as I had been racing on the Saturday. And didn’t want to “waste” classic car credits at home with a polish show but it’s local, dog friendly and suzie happy to go in the modern and pay on the gate. so we got to meet up with John and have a chat. Bonus the dogs approve of you . I would have been sooo out of place with my car. Covered in dead flies from Saturday and many non standard non original parts (that aren’t super chromed) like those Ferrari mini etc and the Ford and mg folk either side of the TR stand with lovely and some immaculate tr’s but are used for tours of many thousands miles so properly used. great that we have such a well supported classic car show on the door step. But I am finding increasingly that the classic car movement and even individual clubs are split in 3 static shows and the concourse type environment, those that use their cars touring etc and motorsport. I know I have been frowned upon for “ruining” a classic car. (Roll bar, suspension, wheels and tyres, stickers etc) Good to meet you John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted May 2, 2022 Author Share Posted May 2, 2022 And you, Hamish, and your lady, not to mention the dogs! I should have gone to the down wind end of the show ground. Or the Autojumble. Remember that next time, because Gawsworth is a nice show. I took some minutes to look around, and learn bout other cars - did you know that TR7s have crank dampers? But not Stags! Sand everyone I spoke to was delighted to talk about their car. I'm sure that includes the MG crew, yes I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted May 2, 2022 Share Posted May 2, 2022 50 minutes ago, Hamish said: I know I have been frowned upon for “ruining” a classic car I gave up being polite to such people some time ago. My car, my rules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escadrille Ecosse Posted May 2, 2022 Share Posted May 2, 2022 1 hour ago, Nick Jones said: I gave up being polite to such people some time ago. My car, my rules. Ditto Gleefully annoying these people is probably the only redeeming feature of these car shows 3 hours ago, JohnD said: and not wanting to be escorted off another show ground by Security, I complied. A man with previous, not to be trifled with Our cars are meant to be driven and competed in Sideways style Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted May 2, 2022 Share Posted May 2, 2022 1 hour ago, Escadrille Ecosse said: Our cars are meant to be driven and competed in Sideways style Hello All We managed 5000 miles in Spitty last year by just going out on wednesdays with other like minded people and did 1 show!!! Off to Spain in 4 weeks for 3 weeks and will do my usual blog thing and bore you with photos of interesting places(I hope!) It will be castles,walled towns and a bit of pyrenees all being well? But after 2 years of not doing things like this the anal nerve is a bit twitchy(may be an age thing?76.5!) Roger ps going to spend 3 nights at Lugo where we changed the drive shaft on Spitty that Old Tucker sent to us(A true friend who did not know me from Adam!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpbarrett Posted May 3, 2022 Share Posted May 3, 2022 12 hours ago, JohnD said: I am, thank you both! I'm not a car show goer, and not one who goes to club meets either. The sight of a convoy of Escort "Mexicos" (well, Mexico replicas) arriving in their own area, and the owners leaping out armed with sprays and polishing cloths, confirmed all my prejudices. smell of the exhaust. I think the Ford classic car scene is even more fragmented than the Triumph world with a club for every model variant. But some of the prices of Escorts are eye watering. I expect they checked the weather forecast before coming out to play.... 12 hours ago, JohnD said: I'm sure those people who don't car exhausts but still go to a car show, are lovely, tolerant, grannie and ickle-kitten loving, all-round good sorts, and I hate the usual bias against MG people, but reader, I cannot tell a lie, it was them. The b*rst*rds. John MG towed to the show behind there Tesla........ I dont do car shows but do go to the Duxford meet each year and sometimes the Great north road meetings on Sundays, I have been pleasantly surprised by peoples reaction to my Herald (very none standard). Most people seem interested in it and intrigued but the 'Injection' badge on the boot rather than the 13/60 badge. mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted May 3, 2022 Author Share Posted May 3, 2022 Fragmented, yes, but I'm delighted that last year's Internationals United the TRR and TSSC, at Malvern. But disappointed that this opportunity was weakened by lack of notice to other Triumph clubs, who might have been willing to make it even more of a reunion,if they had known about it in time. So, as they say, here's to this year in Stafford! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted May 16, 2022 Author Share Posted May 16, 2022 Back to the TRansit diff, I bit the bullet, and took it to a specialist, who for a price that made my wallet faint, has rebuilt the diff. And Lo! A TRansit isn't exactly like a Rolls for wafting about, but no awful grinding noise! According to the boss of the workshop, who did it himself, as he says he can't find guys who can do a rear axle diff any more, the crown, pinion and other gears were fine, but a bearing had broken up. Happy, if poorer days. Le Mans, here I come! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escadrille Ecosse Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 2 minutes ago, JohnD said: Back to the TRansit diff, I bit the bullet, and took it to a specialist, who for a price that made my wallet faint, has rebuilt the diff. And Lo! A TRansit isn't exactly like a Rolls for wafting about, but no awful grinding noise! According to the boss of the workshop, who did it himself, as he says he can't find guys who can do a rear axle diff any more, the crown, pinion and other gears were fine, but a bearing had broken up. Happy, if poorer days. Le Mans, here I come! Good news John, the diff rather than the wallet that is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted May 16, 2022 Author Share Posted May 16, 2022 (edited) I'm that pleased with the van, having had it now long enough to go right over it and use it, that I think it's in pretty good condition, despite its age (2002) and miles (130K, nothing for a TRansit!). There, it'll fall apart tomorrow. But I had to tell Wallet to man-up, and not be such wimp. I think and hope it's worth it. Edited May 16, 2022 by JohnD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted May 17, 2022 Share Posted May 17, 2022 Good move I’d say. It may have hurt now….. but leaving it until something really “interesting” happened would have hurt far worse! Stitch in time and all that 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamish Posted May 17, 2022 Share Posted May 17, 2022 Well done John - painful to the wallet but a wise move both your own physical well being ( those axles aren’t small or light) but peace of mind esp with Europe coming up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zetecspit Posted May 17, 2022 Share Posted May 17, 2022 On 5/3/2022 at 10:45 AM, JohnD said: Fragmented, yes, but I'm delighted that last year's Internationals United the TRR and TSSC, at Malvern. But disappointed that this opportunity was weakened by lack of notice to other Triumph clubs, who might have been willing to make it even more of a reunion,if they had known about it in time. So, as they say, here's to this year in Stafford! John, I have approached the TRR, initially and email (unanswered) and a couple of weeks later a phone call, and instructed to email the general manager (or was it sec?) all about a CT stand. A month later, still no response. However I am hopeful I can get something organised if I persist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted May 17, 2022 Author Share Posted May 17, 2022 Zetec, have PMed you. I think the TSSC will be in the Chair this time. Contact their office? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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