6 X 6

OK, thanks, I've not suggested air tool oil. I'll try to find out more.

TMU 371Y

Richard, can you think of what it is that can be safely introduced into a braking system that frees off sticking components. I had a friend who was very knowledgeable about braking systems and I distinctly remember him recommending that I could plumb a special valve into the braking system and, via this valve, certainly not an oil, perhaps a gas with lubricating qualities, could be pumped into the system. I'm out of touch with this bloke but I'm sure someone will know. It's used as a time saver in commercial workshops and avoids having to dismantle components.

I'll try and find out about this lubricant. I think it must be quite specialized although the air tool stuff may be suitable we'd both better wait, as you suggest, until we know for certain. All of these problems probably relate to lack of use. So the entire axle assembly is moving. Blimey. Have you tried Charlie for a replacement cap ? Or Bernie Smith ? I don't think it will be that difficult to find one. I'll start sniffing around for you.

A wonderful picture of a beautiful engine. All I can say is that anyone who wouldn't want that as their screen saver must have something seriously wrong with them.

I'm sure that will last years and years just because of the amount of diesel around. There are plenty of wooden boats around with rotten hulls but solid engine rooms due to the preservative qualities of diesel. Brilliant photographs. Thank you for posting them.

Warning: smoking too much Keruing can cause you to end up with an Explorer that looks like this.

Hey, thanks very much daz ! I love trees and this one certainly has some extraordinary qualities. I have been told you can get pretty high if you smoke Keroeing. Not that I'd ever dream of doing that.

The wheel clonks backwards and forwards when rotated ? Or, are you saying the entire axle moves forward and back ? Sorry, I've edited this post because I now understand what you mean. One axle, you could say one half shaft, clonks back and forward when the wheel is rotated, which is normal. The other axle won't move, is solid, because the brakes on that axle are binding. The possible cause is that the arm that actually enters the brake back plate is seized and not allowing the shoes to be released off the drum. Have you tried whacking this arm with a copper hammer and squirting a bit of oil around as suggested by Richard Grosvenor a few posts earlier ?

Thank you Simon, I was hoping I had misunderstood you. No, your rearmost axle shouldn't be moving about. It's hard for me to imagine how this is possible. Regarding the torque bar, I've never had any problems in this area and so I haven't got anything helpful to say. I'm sure someone will post soon that we can both learn from. Personally, I wouldn't drive this lorry until these issues are sorted out.

[quote The foot brake valve was sticking, every now and again it would make a loud clicking noise when pressed, the brakes wouldn't relaese until it was pressed again. Is it u/s, or is it caused by standing and might right itself? I was once told about a lubricate that could be introduced into a braking system that would free up sticking valves etc. without damaging the seals. Possibly, some grade of silicon ? Or was it a gas ? Does this ring a bell with anyone ? I don't think your lorry is experiencing quite the right symptoms for blocked breather holes on the front dummy palm couplings to be the cause of problems but checking to see if these are unobstructed, if you have not already done so, might be worth doing.

Do you mean the whole axle is loose ? Are you kidding ?

Thank you daz76/N.O.S. Keruing sounds just the job.

Yeah, well, while you lot have been stuffing your faces over the Christmas holiday I've been on the Wall of Death doing my bit for Britain. Yesterday, I fired up one of the old bangers to check it over with a view to driving down to the annual New Year's Day Road Run organized by the Somerset Steam Traction Club. Because I work nights it would suit me if this event was held at 03:00 in the morning but, as it is, I've got to try and turn up at 10:00 !!! This is the middle of the night as far as I'm concerned. Anyway, I'll do my best to get there and, God willing, will post photographs of anything of interest to us lot that I see while I'm there. IMPORTANT. Any other West Country Bumkins thinking of attending please note the starting point is now the North Petherton Cattle Market just off Juction 24, M4, and no longer Taunton Cattle Market.

That's a really tidy looking cab. At least taking the floor out shouldn't take too long and, as you have said, because you have only recently installed it will come out fairly easily. What sort of wood did you use ? There's a relatively inexpensive hardwood that's often used for the beds of lorries and trailers. It has a very high oil content.......em does anyone know the name of the hardwood I'm thinking of ? It's sounds ideal for cab floors. Or, what wood do you recommend as this is a job I've got coming up sometime. Cheers.

Please do. And the more 'photos of your lovely Scammell on your blog the better. Cheers.

Hey Toolman, I hear they've already prepared a bed for you on the Ferret Ward of the Asylum. There are a few threads on this forum regarding how to research the history of one's HMV. Having the correct military reg. number is often the key. Post a request for assistance on this link if you have any problems. http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?t=7682

That's a really impressive rebuild and money well spent. I think we've all learnt that you can't cut corners and that having a specialist firm undertake this sort of work is the cheapest option over the long term. Thanks for the ClutchMaster link.

As well as the excellent advice in the previous posts there's quite a lot of helpful information on YouTube. This link is a starting point and will take you into an area where you might want to dig around. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_s3crDAOlX8

Only pulling your leg. Wishing you, and your family, a very happy Christmas. I love your Explorer project and look forward meeting you, and seeing your Scammell, one day. Best wishes for the New Year. Tom.

It may take weeks ! What a swizz.

Mike, if the other members of this forum knew how many opportunities I've missed over the years to photograph interesting vehicles they'd come round my place and beat me up. If only we'd foreseen the age of the internet forum.

Sounds like a hot lead. I can't imagine there could be that many recovery operators in Downham Market who had a Constructor. If Daz didn't have the opportunity to examine this Scammell close up or was not aware of the other differences like mudguards etc, it wouldn't be unreasonable to think that a ex 5th wheel tractor with recovery equipment fitted had once been a ballast tractor with a body. Mike, got any 'photos of 83BL02 from the days when you owned it that could be posted on here ? Thanks.

Daz76 does say of Malcolm Bowles, "I think he removed the rear body", so maybe not a 5th wheel tractor or, at least, one to which a body had been fitted. Break out them pix Daz.