montie

Hi FASTTRAX, I imagine the guys would be modest admitting to it. Names like Oily, Andyroo and sirhc comes to mind but my bet is on Richard Farrant as it appears that he has a lot of experience and not only on Saracens. I have had a lot of ideas, suggestions and tips from these people as I am completely new to the Saracen restoration game and also trying to get one in running condition. I would suggest you search the Saracen related threads, you will come up with a winner! Cheers. Monty.

Hi all, As a follow-up on this post, the following pics. Not historic as in your sense but being systematically eroded and deleted by the present powers-that-be. These are not my pics but scrounged from the net. "Buffels" Mine protected troop carriers(based on Unimog chassis) in action. "Son of Saracen", The Ratel that leaned on the Saracen design as a base. "Eland" , based on Panhards. The mobile "G6 " Cheers. Monty.

Hi Richard, Your comment shows off your experience with these vehicles. The bevel box and tracta that failed is on the R/H front wheel and the reduction hub is on the R/H centre wheel though. Could it have been caused by axle wind-up? I am now also worried about the other wheel stations eventhough none of them had any metallic particles in the oil. I totally agree on the silicon issue. I even found it was used as a sealing compound on the fuel tank panels with evidence of slicon in the fuelpumps that failed and had to be replaced. These vehicles were reconditioned in 1987 and sold off shortly after that. Could be that some unskilled/ semi skilled labour was utilised for the revamping. Regards. Monty.

Hi all, A bit more progress this afternoon, got home a little earlier than usual, strike at work and us contractors got ordered off site. I don't complain, got some work done. Something bad must have happened inside this reduction box, I initially thought that only some of the front planetary and sun gear teeth were broken but have a look for yourselves. I imagine it was the "timing" but for now I still can't figure this "Gear timing" thing out. I mean, it is the annulus, then the planet gears which can only mesh to the annulus on the one side and to the sun gear on the other side. The planet gears can't be swopped around as they would not mesh. However, one of my friends pointed out that since the fourth and fifth tooth on the planet gear is in line, maybe undue stress would be caused if the lined teeth are not in similar relative positions on the annulus and sungear. Maybe Richard can expand a bit on this lot. Hub starting to pull apart with homemade sliding hammer attached to the hub. This after all attemps at removing the slotted plugs failed with two U/S impact wrenches to show for it. The damage to the inner sections of the planet gears revealed. Damage to the sun gear shown. Annulus seems fine but it makes no difference. All will be replaced. Enough silicon was used to make a couple of woman happy! The hub must have been opened and incorrectly assembled at some point in the past. Is no gasket used at this joint? Regards. Monty.

Hi, Dang, having such a friend spilling the beans! Andy, I would still be extremely proud if she was mine. monty

Hi Chris, My other vehicles are of the Ford brand and to this day I believe that oil leaks on those are factory standard and intended as "corrosion control". One very nice example of a Saladin (yours?), just frustrating to think about all the work required to make that leak go away! Pity it wasn't just a large dog. Regards. Monty.

Hi Matt, Not good news but hope things are looking up for the both of you. I am jealous of the "fellow military vehicle enthusiast" part, my other half just grins(moans?) and bear it! Best wishes and may your crew member get better very soon! Monty

Hi Andyroo, It is indeed excellent news, replacing the seals should not be a problem, I will contact Bannisters for that. The importance are the working parts. I haven't heard from my spares contact yet and will follow up with a mail. I'm like a kid that can't wait for Christmas. Cheers. Monty.

Hi Andyroo, Excellent observation on your side! I did go back to the e-mail, in my happy state I missed the heading which stated clearly and in bold "SALADIN AND SARACEN WHEEL STATIONS" If they are identical in other respects save for the brakes, I could still use it as the South Africans installed air over hydraulic brakes in any case. Being an owner of both these vehicles, you would probably know whether it could be used in a transplant if a Saracen wheel unit is not available. Keeping my hopes up! Regards. Monty

Hi all, We had such a beautiful day today, not a cloud or any wind.I could not let the opportunity slide and decided to finally change Sarie's colour. I already bought the paint a while ago and never had the opportunity. So, today was the day! The transition from Fugly to Sarie!

Hi Oily, I have just been wondering whether you are making headway with your problem? Monty

Hi Andy, I have just been reading through your Daisy project post. Truly inspirational! When do we get more pics of your progress? Regards. Monty.

Hi guys, Some feedback on the spares. I got pictures of the wheel reduction units. Don't they look just fine?! We just need to clarify whether all wheel units were off the same reduction for the different marks. I will have to strip the reduction box off and count the teeth of the sun, planet and annullus gears. I have the formula somewhere of calculating the reduction of the unit if I have the gear teeth numbers. If somebody has the answer without me having to go through this riddle, please help. Regards. Monty.

Hi all, I received exellent news this afternoon when getting back from work. My prayers and e-mail were answered as Chris's contact responded!!.:D I do not know whether he is a forum member but gave him the details. I really hope he joins, a lot of people could benefit from the spares! PM me if anybody needs the contact details for the meantime. My mail to him mail was sent off and now anxiously awaiting a reply! I seem to have picked up the flu from somebody at work though and am not feeling so bright. Will have to take it slow while dosing myself with pills and such. Regards. Monty.

Hi Oily, Sorry to hear about your problem! Very inconvenient at this time for you, I pressume! I will search through the little bit that I have and forward it to you ASAP! I really hope I can be of assistance. Regards. Monty

Hi all, Not much happened last night, I started jacking the vehicle and installed supports onthe R/H middle and front wheel and that is how far I got. I got visitors and then spent the balance of the evening indoors. I though I should post a couple of pictures of models I built when I was still an apprentice living in a hostel with lots of time on my hands after my Army service. The hobby actually started when I was in the army and on Border service. Me and a friend started off measuring up a "Buffel" and building one to scale from using thin planks from the Mess which was the packaging material for tomatoes and begging for some glue from the radio operators. Unimogs were used as bases and heavily modified by the Army workshops as mine protected vehicles and which were the standard troop carriers in the north of South West Africa as most roads were mined daily, even after sweeping for mines. These vehicles were highly respected by all troops(everybody!) as it could go anywhere and we had very little loss of life with single landmines, serious damage to the vehicles and eardrums though! Double or stacked mines caused serious problems! Just search for "Bush war" for more info. Back to the models. Eventually we build these models for pocket money (beer! troops were not allowed to be sold hard tack). Back in the "States"(South Africa and before departing for the "Border" again) we built models of 81mm mortars, Vickers Machine guns and 106 Jeeps(Fitted with 106 Recoilless guns as anti-tank measures (We actually made it into the Army monthly (Paratus) with these models at the time, I might still have the article, will do some digging). I never saw any of these 106 Jeeps on the border though, the Army relied much more on the Eland 60's and 90's (modified Panhards) and the Ratel. The Ratel was based on the Saracen but with modern technology were much more effective than the Saracen. Reputedly the Cubans and insurgents were more afraid of these vehicles than tanks because of their manueverability. There I go again! Here are a 106 Jeep from that era and a Saracen from my apprentice days that I gave to my uncle. He loaned them to me for these pics. Dankie, Baas Ben!

Hi guys, Another productive evening, all the tools for the wheel station removal except for the lifting sling is now manufactured. The pinion is also on its way to the gear refurbishing company. Now I can get some sleep! Regards. Monty

Hi Chris, Thank you for the PM, I have just written and sent off the letter. I greatly appreciate your help. Now to the garage and the tools to be constructed! Monty.

Hi Richard, The South African Defense Force did purchase 280 of them at the time, as per inserted paragraph. The problem is however, that as far as I know, that the majority are in the hands of security companies (crime rules in SA, of course!) and a few in military museums or just parked outside on parade grounds of army bases. This is history that belonged to the previous regime and not cared for now. I got this off the internet and Jane's Defense Weekly somehow rings a bell. I know of a few around and have tried to talk to the owners about spares but they would have none of that! I will need to find that willing seller, albeit not at ridiculous prices. Wish me luck! Monty. PS. Nothing came from working on the other tools, Sunday afternoon laziness set in after lunch!

Hi guys, Today I removed the offending bearing with a home made bearing puller (welded a pipe to the inside of the outer bearing cage with a home made sliding hammer welded to the other end of the tube). I thought when planning the episode; "Remove bearing, clean housing, refit bearing, fit lockplate and nut and refit hubcap. Easy, piece of pie, be home early, clean and dry!" Well, never count your chickens before they have hatched! The bearing came out easily without a lot of fuss. This revealed a sunwheel that will never be a sunwheel again. Richard, I will have to use the "gagging tool" after all! A lot of damage to the planet gears can also be seen and probably the annullus will have some irrepairable damage too! The slotted plugs that are to be removed to fit the bolts for extracting the gearhousing with are very stubborn, the impact tool tip for removing the plugs shattered eventually. Chinese rubbish! Frustration! I will now have to turn my attention to making up some of the outstanding tools still required for removal of that front wheel station. Till later.

Hi Matt, With your's and Richard's help, I should be able to beat the problem. I hope I am not jumping the gun, but it seems that I will be in the market for several spares shortly. Richard gave me a contact for spares and I will get on to them as soon as I know what needs replacement. Apparently there is a reputable gear-cutting company in Johannesburg that can refurbish the pinion, I will contact them on Monday. Fortunately, I have a friend that travels to Jo'burg daily and he will drop the pinion off at their place of business. I will be keeping an eye out for your mail, thanks. Monty.

Hi Chris, Thanks for your response, this is what I'm talking about. You have done great work, I have especially enjoyed your video of the Bedford MW restoration in such a short time with all those obstacles that would have fazed lesser mortals like me. And then that sucessfull trip to Normandy and back! That, I think it will be great memories for you to savour for a lifetime and a great boost to your confidence in tackling such jobs! Shows one what can be done if one really wants! Are these restorations just a hobby? It appears to be a fulltime business looking at the time and commitment from you and your team. Good show and great motivation for me too! You have got quite a couple of vids, it is going to take me some time to work through all of them. Thanks once again. Monty.

Hi all, When surfing Youtube, I came across the videos Oily posted on driving his Saracen. Oily, maybe if you have newer videos, please post them, especially ones which shows the driving technique for us aspirant Saracen drivers. There was also a nice clip from somebody (sorry, memory failure) of a Saladin being driven for the first time on the road. Nice! I also remember something posted by Safariwing but I never got round to checking it out. Youtube tends to take one on a field trip everytime! If you guys have also posted MV stuff on Youtube, please let's have the links so that we other newbe forum-guys can also drool! Monty.

Hi, A productive evening! Two wedges manufactured as per Hub and Tracta removal EMER. I also got hold of a drift today although it is made of copper as well as a lifting pulley, I need to make a shaft for the pulley centre hole which is a bit larger than spec, but it should do. The sling, wooden wedge and key for the suspension pin also still to be manufactured. Regards. Montie.

Hi guys, When checking the crownwheel now, I found that it rotates easily. Richard's guess that it is a broken tracta joint seems to be spot on. Now for removing the wheel station! Montie