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A good lesson

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MadRiver

MadRiver

Jedi Knight
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Ok, this isn't exactly Triumph-related, but a good LBC lesson nonetheless. I've had my Sunbeam Tiger for a little over a month now, and I've driven it around a bit -- to work here and there, out to dinner with my girlfriend, you know, the typical stuff. During those drives, I kept hearing a jingling metallic sound from the tail end when the car was moving. As we know, LBCs are capable of producing a full symphony of diverse sounds, so I didn't think about it.

Well, truth be told, I just never trust a car until I've started taking stuff apart and putting it back together, so over the weekend, I pulled the wheels off the Tiger to inspect the brakes. Everything looked fine, save for one thing, and it revealed itself as the source of the jingling sound. When I pulled off the right rear drum, one of the little sprung steel v-shaped clip that holds the brake shoes to the little post fell out of the drum, looking as if it had spent some portion of its recent life being bounced around inside a brake drum, and also being crushed between the shoes. Also, the post itself was missing -- lost to the ravages of time.

Thankfully, no damage was done, and the inside of the drum wasn't scored and the problem will be immediately fixed. But the lesson is a good one -- always poke around a newly-acquired car to make sure it's safe and sound.
 
here here!
 
'specially when you hear something 'funny'.

Firts B back inna '60's, I kept hearing something 'funny' in the gearbox. BMC dealership mechanic told me: "Aww just wait 'til it breaks. Then you'll KNOW what it WAS."

What it WAS, was layshaft & bearings. I found out myself by pulling the unit and carrying it to a family owned BMC dealership. Owner's son tore it down "instructionally" and said it could have been a whole gearbox replacement if I'd pressed on to failure point.

Lesson learned VERY early. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
Well said, Dr.Entropy. I *love* your Elans, by the way. Keep meaning to add an Elan to the collection. Not as though I have enough to do with the current lot!
 
Thanks. Go GET one! I still think they're THE "bargain" LBC as far as dollar-per-fun ratios go. Maximum "WHEEE!" factor. The Tiger is another one.

I'm well and truly "stuck in the '60's" with my own preferences for LBC's & EuroTrash. I've worked on about everything out of England and Europe over the last 30+ years but only have a few on my "short list" not in my posession. One of those is a Lotus Cortina MkI to replace one we sold back in '89. And my only concessions to "modernity" would be either an Esprit Turbo or an Exige...


I know... I'm warped. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif :shrug:
 
DrEntropy said:
I know... I'm warped. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif :shrug:
Click to expand...

You and me both Doc. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif

Stuart. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif
 
you know it's interesting...seems that a man around his machine can detect differences just in the sounds coming from the machine...my wife still swears this is impossible...I too am a believer!..
 
It's a communion of the highest order, in my experience.

"Put yer EAR to it, laddie!!" /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif
 
Some of the best mechanics I have met swear that they can tell by listening what is wrong with an engine.Just wish I could. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/rolleyes.gif
I too believe it is possible,and Jack Laird insists that SU's make 'em sing.
One of the sweetest sounds is when you finally get the engine tuned and the little car justs hums. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

Stuart. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif
 
ecurie_ecosse said:
I too believe it is possible,and Jack Laird insists that SU's make 'em sing.
Click to expand...

I dunno about 'signing' but I can tell ya that an HS6 makes a sound that I've never heard out of a ZS. Sort of a sucking whistle slightly muffled by the firewall, hood, and air filter, but it's a very distinct sound every time I put my foot on the right most pedal. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif
 
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