699 replies to this topic

[LJ RB30]

Good stuff mate!

[Potta]

Not looking good now, I think my brake booster is stuffed.

I think it may have got given a flogging unfortunately

[LJ RB30]

Better to find it now than during the inspection !

[Dave6179]

I've just bought one way brake bleeders from Summit. They have a check ball in them. I have been using a 'one man bleeder' for years, just a hose with a split in one end that goes into some old fluid. Brake pressure opens the split and closes to stop air return. These new bleeders will be easier again.

http://www.summitrac...39590/overview/

I just have to check if they fit the HJ or VN! Then buy the rest.

[Potta]

Boom!!
 

Replace Brake Booster

 

Just need to bleed the brakes.....again......

[S pack]

Why bleed the brakes again? Did you remove the m/cyl to replace the booster?

[LJ RB30]

Wot he said!!! ^^^

[Potta]

Yes, yes I did.

 

That's what the book said to do.

 

I haven't done one before thought I would have to, now I can tell you don't.

 

Anyway, some yucky fluid came out so probably a good thing anyway.

 

Anyway, I've now got 10 minutes to chill before I have to go, tested and working mint.

 

Also, it was missing at high revs before, I wasn't too worried, but not doing it now.

 

Could that be related too the booster?

 

Similar to when you have an air leak maybe?

[Potta]

Big, Fat, Fail.........

 

I give up.

 

Steering is too heavy and doesn't self centre.

 

He couldn't test whether the indicators self cancel or whether it brakes in a straight line because the steering is too heavy.

 

Plus he added on that the brake lights aren't bright enough.

 

Different guy this time.

 

Brake light problem is fixed already.

 

Can anyone recommend somewhere to get another wheel alignment done that might fix the heavy steering?

 

I'm really p!ssed off after all I went through, to find its something I can't fix.

[Shadow17]

Sorry to hear that Craig, pretty sure that when Dad built my green Lj that he said something about self centering being hard after new ball joints.... just a thought

[S pack]

Sorry to hear that Craig, pretty sure that when Dad built my green Lj that he said something about self centering being hard after new ball joints.... just a thought

^^^ Agree, LC's and LJ's aren't the greatest at self centering at the best of times let alone with all new ball joints and a reco steering rack.

You may need to beg, borrow or steal some rims with razor blades on them to lighten up the steering.

 

The guy is just being a prick and obviously doesn't know much about the nuances of these Torana's.

 

Edit: One thing to check is 'Is the steering rack stiff to operate'? Any misalignment and flexing of the steering rack housing on its mountings will cause the steering to be stiff and heavy. Raise the front wheels off the ground and feel how much effort is required to turn the steering. Now loosen off but don't remove the rack mounting bolt at the passenger side end of the rack housing and see if the steering effort has changed. If the steering feels lighter then a suitable fix may be to pack between the rack housing mounting tab and the crossmember bracket with a suitable thickness washer or metal shim.

 

Come to think of it those stupid nolathane steering flexible couplings won't help the situation either. 

Edited by S pack, 20 February 2015 - 06:36 PM.

[Ice]

Hey Craig have you got your wedge in under the steering column that affects the steering not to self centre
i had the same problem just check if its in there bud

[UCSLE]

it sounds like the car has bad negative caster . Did you replace the caster rod bushes , in the photo of post #398 they look non existent .

Edited by UCSLE, 20 February 2015 - 06:38 PM.

[N/A-PWR]

Hello Craig Mate,

 

have you got standard wheels on the front & back

 

as the smaller width tyres will make the steering light as 

 

 

and then when you get rego, put the big wheels on. 

Big, Fat, Fail.........

[sibhs]

Chill-out this weekend Craig.  Spend time with the wife and kids and think how lucky you are.

 

You've done a mammoth effort in fixing all those bits in a short time.  Have a breather and try what the guys have suggested when motivation returns.  Skinny tyres will be the biggest help.  Plus who did your wheel alignment?  They should have pointed out any problems with the steering.

 

Marty

[Potta]

Sorry to hear that Craig, pretty sure that when Dad built my green Lj that he said something about self centering being hard after new ball joints.... just a thought

 

Yeah certainly doesn't help. They are tight as but that doesn't help this situation.

 

^^^ Agree, LC's and LJ's aren't the greatest at self centering at the best of times let alone with all new ball joints and a reco steering rack.

You may need to beg, borrow or steal some rims with razor blades on them to lighten up the steering.

 

The guy is just being a prick and obviously doesn't know much about the nuances of these Torana's.

 

Edit: One thing to check is 'Is the steering rack stiff to operate'? Any misalignment and flexing of the steering rack housing on its mountings will cause the steering to be stiff and heavy. Raise the front wheels off the ground and feel how much effort is required to turn the steering. Now loosen off but don't remove the rack mounting bolt at the passenger side end of the rack housing and see if the steering effort has changed. If the steering feels lighter then a suitable fix may be to pack between the rack housing mounting tab and the crossmember bracket with a suitable thickness washer or metal shim.

 

Come to think of it those stupid nolathane steering flexible couplings won't help the situation either. 

 

I have pizza cutters on the other car, might try them for rego,

 

I'll also check out the alignment of the shaft, thanks Dave.

 

 

Hey Craig have you got your wedge in under the steering column that affects the steering not to self centre
i had the same problem just check if its in there bud

 

I dunno what you're talking about Geno but I'll have a look.

 

I haven't taken it out but doesn't mean its not there.

 

it sounds like the car has bad negative caster . Did you replace the caster rod bushes , in the photo of post #398 they look non existent .

 

Caster rod bushes are pretty new, I didn't replace them, but they are a dark blue nolathane I think.

[Potta]

 

Hello Craig Mate,

 

have you got standard wheels on the front & back 

 

as the smaller width tyres will make the steering light as  

 

 

and then when you get rego, put the big wheels on.  

 

Yeah skinnies may get me over the line.

 

To be totally honest it felt great to me.

 

 

Chill-out this weekend Craig.  Spend time with the wife and kids and think how lucky you are.

 

You've done a mammoth effort in fixing all those bits in a short time.  Have a breather and try what the guys have suggested when motivation returns.  Skinny tyres will be the biggest help.  Plus who did your wheel alignment?  They should have pointed out any problems with the steering.

 

Marty

 

Yeah good advice mate.

 

The guy who did my wheel alignment said the front end is a bit twisted like they all are, but he was still able to get it done by adding and removing shims.

 

It is a million times better than before, and I was pretty happy after the wheel alignment, apart from the brakes.

 

I went to see him after and he said he can adjust the castor right out but he pretty much agreed with you guys and said the guys at the testing centre don't know sh!t about these cars and will use any excuse not to pass them.

 

I had a full on argument with the testing guy but he wouldn't have it.

 

Reckons if I turn a corner and my hands slip off the wheel it'll keep turning.

 

I just thought to myself, yep, that's how they were.

 

He said I've got another month to try again, but unless fit power steering I feel I'll be wasting my dough.

 

On the plus side, the brakes are better than ever now and it seemed to have a bit of a vacuum leak but not anymore.

[Rockoz]

The guy does realise it hasnt got power steering I hope.

When I had my LC I found that anything above 185 on the front made it heavy.

Would also talk to whoever did your rack for advice.

[Potta]

The guy does realise it hasnt got power steering I hope.

When I had my LC I found that anything above 185 on the front made it heavy.

Would also talk to whoever did your rack for advice.

 

Yeah but they are old and drive cars with power steering all day so probably feels heavier to them than it does me.

 

I'll try some skinnies with about 50 psi and see how we go lol.

[S pack]

Please excuse my ignorance Craig but why is there a one month time frame in which to attend another inspection?

What are the consequences if you had other personal or work commitments that prevented you from carrying out the required repairs and fronting up again?

[dattoman]

You pay more

 

 

Theres an inspection fee... and if you front inside 30 days a reinspection fee

Over 30 days you pay the full price for an original inspection fee again

 

 

 fee.jpg   40.58K   2 downloads

[sibhs]

Apart from price, if you leave it over a month they'll recheck the whole car again and not just the mentioned faults.

[Potta]

Yeah, that's the main thing, they start from scratch, and it costs an extra $22 .

They didn't say to fit power steering, I'm just frustrated that I put everything into it and it still failed over a problem that is not really there.

Well I don't think it is anyway, dunno what they expect me to do.

And I'm insulted that he didn't even test other stuff because in his opinion heavy steering is an instant fail.

I had fun driving it today anyway, it's a great little car :-)

Edited by Potta, 21 February 2015 - 12:01 AM.

[Ice]

Hey Craig have you got your wedge in under the steering column that affects the steering not to self centre
i had the same problem just check if its in there bud

Ok the bracket that holds the steering column that bolts it to under the dash there is 3 bolts from memory one of them has a wedge under it think its the rear one drivers side
that wedge adjusts your steering column angle to self centre the steering you can push it up or down to get the steering better
give that a try cant hurt
the wedge is made of alloy you cant miss it