The Bedford Boys

finally got a couple of snaps for all you with Guy FBAX fetishes

Rick is right, This happened to me on my first drive down to W & P show, from Oxford fine, got to Clacket lane services and ..........lots of smoke, rear brakes locked on! only way to release was to let the pressure out of the rear joint.

On inspection I found the tiny hole that is the pressure relief port was completely blocked so the cylinder pressurised its self!

 

Jules

By pressure relief port what do you mean? Where abouts in the master cylinder?

We put new hoses on the front when we reconned the brakes, but used the old one on the rear. I will buy a new rear hose and try that first.

I wouldn't even consider any other engine for a carrier. It has to be the Flathead V8. There is nothing like the sound of a flathead V8 under load. They're not THAT bad on gas either, if you really want something economical buy a toyota prius and paint it green. :cool2:

Alex,

 

You should have a tandem master cylinder fitted, this has a side port for the circuit to front brakes, and the port on the rear end going ot rear brakes, so I assume the brake light switch is on the end port. I am wondering if the hose to the rear brakes has ruptured inside, stopping the brakes from releasing and also maintaining enough pressure in the pipe to keep the switch on. Or as you say, so debris in the system.

Yes it is fitted with the tandem cylinder and yes the brake switch is on the rear port. I will check this as I think your onto something there. The rear hose was not replaced when we did the brakes, as it's external condition seemed to be fine.

The pedal has about an inch free travel, so this is not the issue. Thanks for your ideas though guys. Much appreciated.

Hi Guys, got a problem I need help with. When driving the Bedford in the weekend, the rear brakes locked on whilst travelling through the sand dunes. The brake lights were also on and I wasn't touching the pedal, thus meaning the problem is hydraulic. When I touched the brake pedal, it was firm right at the top of the stroke (apart from the free play the pedal should have). This problem has occured before and we remedied it by relieving pressure from the rear cylinders. Now, have I over filled the master cylinder? Is their foreign matertial clogging the holes in the master cylinder? What else could it be? Any ideas???

Cheers for your help,

Alex

Eddy

 

I'm presuming that you have seen these on epay I'll let you comment on the price

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/army-bren-carrier-military-drive-axle-new-old-stock-/130391522496?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Other_Vehicle_Parts_Accessories_ET&hash=item1e5bf0bcc0#ht_500wt_1182

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/army-bren-carrier-military-track-new-old-stock-336-link-/130391517974?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Other_Vehicle_Parts_Accessories_ET&hash=item1e5bf0ab16#ht_500wt_1182

That track looks stiff as a board!!

Hi guys, I am looking for any photos or literature relating to the use of Universal carriers as ambulances, in particular the ones that had the rear plate removed. Cheers.

Nope it was on a flat road. She prefers sitting at 35mph though.

Sorted now. Cleaned out carb and made new gaskets for it. Twisted the dizzy round a bit and now it runs quite nicely. Got up to 40mph on a short bit of curved road so I'm pleased.

Hi again guys. I've got another problem with the Bedford MW. She is hitting a flat spot in top speed when changing from 3rd into 4th. The truck will not gain any speed when changed into 4th. What's the story??

I believe I have perfected "the worm" manoeuvre. That's where you use you body to wriggle under and out from under trucks. Takes practice.

WE HAVE BRAKES BOYS!!!!!! After making a new hard line to the front (broke the old one getting it off), cleaning the bleed nipples and adjusting up the front shoes we succeeded. Thanks for your help guys. The old girl stops pretty damn well now!!!

I don't personally own one, but my uncle has the remnants of three. It would be a big-ish project to do but manageable. It is on the list of to-do's!!!! I will get some photos this weekend.

Right guys, I want to know everything that you know about Guy FBAX's!! Also, if anyone knows where I can get a manual or handbook, please let me know. Feel free to post up pictures etc in this thread. I have taken a great interest in these vehicles, but there seems to be such a limited amount of information available.

Hahaha well yes you're right, but the MW has front brakes fitted and they need to work for it to get a Warrant of Fitness (or simply WOF, same as your MOT)

Hi guys, we are trying to get the brakes sorted on a friends Bedford MW. We have rebuilt all the wheel cylinders aswell as the master cylinder. All the brakes hoses and lines have had air blasted through them to clean them out. Now, our problem lies with the front brakes. We get very limited movement in them when the brake pedal is depressed. We have jacked up the fronts to test if they work and the wheel is hardly even slowed down. The brake shoes have been relined. If it may help with solving the problem, we are bleeding in the order of left rear, right rear, right front, left front. What would cause this non-effectiveness of front brakes? What are we doing wrong? Cheers for your help.

You don't need an exhaust pipe on to run it :cool2:.....Engines always sound good straight out the manifold. Ran a mates mini without a pipe on, sounded awesome :shocked: :nut:

You guys are doing such excellent work on this machine. People say they can't wait to see the finished product, but I'm enjoying seeing how you guys tackle each problem. Keep up the astounding work!

This does bring up something that has occured to me in the past. I always assumed that if someone wanted a ride, they would ask. Most tank owners are quite happy to oblige so don't hold back if you want a ride.

 

It's obviously not always possible due to safety grounds or display reasons, though sometimes that gets taken to extreme. I remember some years ago at Duxford with my M75 being told, quite rudely by one of the 'helpers' that if anyones head appeared from inside a hatch, presumably other than mine, I would be removed from the arena and not be allowed back out. I told him to stick it where the sun don't shine..... I cannot stand rules for the sake of rules being doled out by someone with an inflated idea of their own importance.

 

Anyway, rant over, back on topic! If you don't ask, you don't get!

We have a saying that we tell to all the new guys to MV's:

"If your offered a ride or a drive, take it.

If you want a ride or a drive, ask for it".

This saying has served me well, I've driven alot of vehicles that other people my age don't even know exist.

As for how to get onto a tank, the answer is "carefully" and look for the route that makes sense. Don't jump off either, it freakin' hurts if you land wrong. Also, talk to the owner/driver before you even think about clambering all over it, they know the tricks.

When you say this does it mean you have fitted the speedo(s) ...... Bdum tish :-D

Sorry I'll get my coat

Or is it schpeedo's? :rotfl::whistle:

Thank you Spood !

 

Here is a picture from last night, ........It is starting to look quite "swimmy"

 

Shouldnt that be "schwimmy"? :cool2:

Universal carriers use quite and interesting system whereby a steering wheel and "two stage" system is employed to steer the vehicle. Small steering adjustments are made by "warping" the tracks, but when more "lock" is applied to the steering wheel, the brakes on that side are pulled on, slewing the vehicle around. Great fun.

Welcome to our world alister. There's no escape now. :trustme:

Those Mk4's sure do share quite a likeness to the Mk2's. they look as if they have sliced the top off and added a box on the front. Were these mk4's fitted with turrets?

This Life Magazine picture of UN Troops In Korea taken in February 1951 provides a magnificient shot of an Indian Pattern Wheeled Carried in New-Zealand service.

 

H.

 

I have that photo aswell, magnificent as you say. That carrier is a NZ Pattern carrier. New Zealand did not use Indian Pattern carriers. One was imported for research into building our model. The Indian Pattern carrier is virtually identical but the two can be differentiated by hull construction, wheel size and driver's position. The Indian patern hull is rivetted, the Nz welded, the Indian Pattern uses 16" wheels, the NZ 20", the Indian pattern has the driver sitting above the chassis rails, the NZ between the rails.