I wouldn't worry to much about the caster if its within specs of a sedan it shouldn't be a drama. The caster does work best at high speed if it is wound back. I'm thinking the ute caster is set to compensate for heavy loads in the tray. This would increase the caster as the front to back rake angle changes ( or am I going into this with to much thought ? ). I'm pretty sure that your ute wont be carting extreme loads as they did in the good old days !
Any way you could always go down the path of bending the king pins (wash my mouth out with soap and water)
I wouldn't worry to much about the caster if its within specs of a sedan it shouldn't be a drama. The caster does work best at high speed if it is wound back. I'm thinking the ute caster is set to compensate for heavy loads in the tray. This would increase the caster as the front to back rake angle changes ( or am I going into this with to much thought ? ). I'm pretty sure that your ute wont be carting extreme loads as they did in the good old days !
Any way you could always go down the path of bending the king pins (wash my mouth out with soap and water)
Regards Greg
Yep my thoughts exactly Greg. In theory though you have to swing the king pin a large amount to effect a very small change in caster. The other thing I have to recheck is to see if I'm actually doing the caster check right as the Replex bubble gauge states to check caster through a steering range of 40 degrees (20 left and 20 right). Holden spec may have been set for full lock which is slightly more.
Well the acid is on. Booked for roadworthy next week. Finished the steering wheel. Had to have a few goes at redoing the epoxy as I had trouble with it running even after letting it sit for a couple of hours before applying it. Cleaned up the surface rust on the floor and jammed it up. Final bleed and adjust for the brakes done. Just a few fiddly bits and it should be good to go fingers crossed.
Hi Craig,
What was the epoxy and paint you used on the steering wheel. Apart from the challenges with the epoxy running were you happy with the result?
In the Shed wrote:Hi Craig,
What was the epoxy and paint you used on the steering wheel. Apart from the challenges with the epoxy running were you happy with the result?
Regards
Stephen
G'day Stephen, the epoxy I used was 2 part Araldite, nothing special there. Paint was acrylic with edhesion primer for plastic. I may or may not do a clear coat on it, haven't decided on that as yet.
I'm happy so far but you dont know till you get some usage on the wheel to see if it cracks again at the repair spots. I think overall all if you have a wheel that hasn't become excessively brittle over the years and it has only a few cracks from being over flexed then its a worhwhile job. I have another old white wheel that I reckon it would take weeks to repair and would only crack in different places after that. Bad wheels would need re plasticising and the cost of making moulds would be prohibitive unless you could arrange a run of wheels.
EK283 wrote:Don't tell me you drove this car down to the river without a RWC naughty boy
With the epoxy did you do any dowels between the two surfaces or is it just epoxy binding ?
Regards Greg
Ok Greg I won't tell you!
I did relent later and get a permit
No Dowels just binding. I did a test on an old wheel and the epoxy seemed to chemically react to the plastic so it appears to bond ok. Rough surface areas where the best for adhesion.
A little set back today. Finally got to fill the tank right up only to find out its leaking really bad around the sender. Was looking like I'd have to pull the back floor up again and worse if it was rust. Drained the tank, managed to get the sender out reaching though the spare wheel access door. Luckily it was just a shot gasket. All fixed.
Changed quarter vent seals...... a day of fun!
Doors all good on the inside, still had the original plastic sheeting with inside plastic lip.
RWC and Rego done! We are back on the road.
Our first test trip today with the teardrop in tow off to Omeo. Running ok but have a few issue to sort being a vibration noise under load which sounds like the exhaust. Also have a timing issue, hard to crank when hot, and fuel mixture. Nothing major. Had a good run up through the hills, and some second gear hills closer to Omeo. Glad I only have a small van! Tomorrow I'll pull off the engine pipe bracket as I have this cause a vibe in my FB (engine pipe mounted way too rigid). I have seen these brackets crack a few times too. That an a timing tickle in the morning and we should be good. Will be going down a few main jet sizes to as we are running a little rich especially up in these hills.
Other than that all good so far.
