Lebro Posted October 30, 2021 Report Share Posted October 30, 2021 (edited) I noticed the other day that the handbrake although still working, was right at the top end of it's travel. This normally means that it's time to adjust the rear brakes, although having done them not too many miles ago, I was a bit surprised. Anyway, got the wheel off, & the adjusting spanner on the square adjuster, & proceeded to wind it in. after several turns, I realised that something was wrong. I took off the brake drum, & the cone end of the adjuster was right at the back of the housing. a few more turns confirmed that the thread had stripped in the housing. The easy answer would have been to re-tap, & insert a 3/8" UNF helicoil. but I did not have any that size. So only quick solution (I needed the car tomorrow for our TR meet) was to make a threaded insert. A 9/16" UNF bolt was found, & drilled out to 8.5mm to take the 3/8"UNF internal thread. The alloy housing was drilled 13mm to take the new 9/16" UNF thread, & then the insert cut to length, & a couple of screwdriver slots cut in the top face. After much de-greasing, Locktite 638 was applied, & the insert screwed in till flush. After a short wait The brake adjuster was able to be inserted, & the whole thing reassembled on the car. brakes adjusted - handbrake now working where it should be, & Cinderella TR can go to the ball TR meet. Bob. Edited October 31, 2021 by Lebro Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted October 30, 2021 Report Share Posted October 30, 2021 Nice solution and outcome. I probably would have spent 1/2 hour searching for a spare adjuster that I was sure I had somewhere….. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted October 30, 2021 Report Share Posted October 30, 2021 Not being able to do things like this when I see others do it- I love it and appreciate the skill and the thought process to come up with the work round. great result Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted October 30, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2021 12 minutes ago, BlueTR3A-5EKT said: Nice solution and outcome. I probably would have spent 1/2 hour searching for a spare adjuster that I was sure I had somewhere….. I knew that I did not have one ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted October 30, 2021 Report Share Posted October 30, 2021 The challenge with the adjuster for 10” Girling brakes is their price. They were also used on big Healey and their 4 seater version the Austin taxi cab. Probably another reason for the cost. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted October 30, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2021 (edited) Mine are 9" Girling, are the adjusters not the same for both ? Anyway, should the other one strip (why did it strip anyway ?) I would do the same, as it did not take very long, & was quite fun ! Bob. Edited October 30, 2021 by Lebro Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted October 31, 2021 Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 Yes 10” ones are at leat 50% bigger and are driven by a bigger square. The 9” adjusters are a bargain at about £15 compared to £55. for the 10” Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted October 31, 2021 Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 (edited) 17 hours ago, Hamish said: Not being able to do things like this when I see others do it- I love it and appreciate the skill and the thought process to come up with the work round. great result Bob. Hi Hamish, I can understand that and am always full of praise when I see others doing such clever innovative things - excellence in engineering. Well done Bob for the result and sharing it. Roger Edited October 31, 2021 by RogerH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted October 31, 2021 Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 Always good to engineer your way out of trouble, well done Bob. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted October 31, 2021 Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 As an apprentice I was told. "As an engineer you will do with a penny what everyone else does for a pound" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boxofbits Posted October 31, 2021 Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 Well done Bob, it’s good to see we don’t have to live in a throwaway society. Necessity, as always, the Mother of Invention. Kevin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted October 31, 2021 Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 Yes Bob, a very satisfying and fruitful, afternoons work. ...and many thanks for sharing. John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony_C Posted November 2, 2021 Report Share Posted November 2, 2021 On 10/31/2021 at 10:51 AM, BlueTR3A-5EKT said: As an apprentice I was told. "As an engineer you will do with a penny what everyone else does for a pound" And me, almost exactly the same……… “Engineers make for a penny what any idiot can make for a pound”! ……… Still very impressed @Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted November 2, 2021 Report Share Posted November 2, 2021 2 hours ago, Tony_C said: … “Engineers make for a penny what any idiot can make for a pound”! That means I can make it for a fiver Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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