Walter the Dormobile

[Gromit]

Replaced the coolant & hoses a while ago and last weekend decided to pull out the pedal boxes to overhaul the brake & clutch master cylinders.



The steering column needs to come out next as most of the oil has escaped.

The nut on the back of the brake master was fun to undo. Eventually found a 7/8" Whitworth spanner that fitted perfectly, with a length of water pipe and some heat it finally gave up.
Annealed the washer, cleaned the master cylinder & re-sealed it, clutch master was much easier.

Pedal boxes stripped & waiting to be painted.



Next will be the clutch slave cylinder overhaul & replace the flexible pipe. When it's mobile again I'll replace the brake hoses.


Colin

[Gromit]

Steering box now has a new O-ring seal and side cover gasket, hopefully the oil stays inside now.

Pedal boxes & steering box/column painted and ready to re-install.



I'm putting together a list of parts I have to order from the UK, Land Rover parts prices here are about 3 times the UK price so even with freight there is a saving. I picked up some propshaft gaiters locally for the equivalent of about 6.35 GBP, Paddocks have them for 2.29 GBP (less actually because I'm wouldn't be paying VAT).


Colin

[Gromit]

Doesn't time fly.....

I've been working on other projects and only recently got back to the Dormobile.
Slowly stripping down each axle to replace brake parts, check wheel bearings etc.





The springs had been fitted with polybushes but the crush tubes weren't greased. The tubes had rusted & swollen and had to be cut out. Replaced with conventional bushes.
Brake flexi's are cracked and most of the rigid pipes are rusty so lots of extra work to do.


Some new parts turned up over the last few days.






About to start on the seats.
Seems to be hessian over the springs, then cotton wadding on the top faces and a thin foam layer before the covers are fitted.
The drivers seat is badly damaged and I'm struggling to get the cotton wadding (might be re-usable on the other seats), ended up with synthetic instead.
Need to re-paint the frames, any advice welcome. I was thinking of getting them blasted but abrasive in all the joints would be a problem. Maybe sand down, netralise any rust & spray paint in white ?


Colin

[Dormy]

Progress is always some now sdome later. Getting on with it is satisfying.

From where did you get the 'Dormobile' wing badges and vinyl repair kit ?

Ian

[Gromit]

Ian,
Ordered the badge & repair kit from Dormobile UK along with the sink moulding and a few other bits.

Had to sell one of my children to afford this and the Exmoor covers !


Colin

[AlexB]

Wing badges now available again (Old style)

And the rectangular badges that were riveted to the windscreen wiper motor cover

[Dormy]

Thanks, will have to place an order.

Ian

[Gromit]

Work has been slow due to work/family commitments.

Offside front & rear brakes now overhauled, need to move it out of the garage, turn around and work on the other side.



Had to cut through one of the rear spring bolts (someone in the past had assembled without any grease !)





Managed to get the worst of the dent out of the wing but the aluminium has stretched so need to think about how to shrink it (I don't have an oxy set, any ideas welcome). 'Before' picture below.





Colin

[Gromit]

I haven't done much on the Dormobile for a while.

I did pick up some Toyota rims & tyres. They arrive in Australia with 7.50 X 16 tyres on split rims but most people immediately replace the tyres & rims so they come up for sale regularly. Problem is the split rims are almost worthless as there are so many for sale......



I had the wheel rims blasted & painted them today in 007 Limestone



The wire frames in front I made to lift the wheels from where they are painted (outside) into the garage to finish drying.

Once the tyres are fitted I'll finish off making up brake pipes and then start on the upholstery.


Colin

[AlexB]

Going back to the pin that sticks out of the side of the seat, the only function that I can ascertain that this has, is to scratch the door pillar when you flip the seat. IT is a pita !