DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

[Gibbo2286]

Can you not just grind off some of the chamfer on the bit to the right on your picture put them together and get someone to do a MIG or TIG weld all round?

It looks like a poor copy of a Sykes Pickavant tool.

[mickthemaverick]

I think using the existing parts and adding a couple of thick steel brace washers I can make it work like this rather crude drawing:

MTMO - the hooks will be welded in place as per the little supports!!

Comments welcome?

[mickthemaverick]

Can you not just grind off some of the chamfer on the bit to the right on your picture put them together and get someone to do a MIG or TIG weld all round?

It looks like a poor copy of a Sykes Pickavant tool.

Expanding on that idea Gibbo I wonder if I could grind the right hand side into a castellated finish, insert the left and then seam weld right round?

Having said that I do think eliminating that joint altogether as in my sketch is a safer way to go

[moizeau]

The only reason for the end that broke off is to give the tube a thread as far as I can see. I see 2 ways of repairing it.
Clamp the 2 parts together (once cleaned) with a threaded bar, re-champher and seam weld (as Gibbo said)
Or modify a nut, press the nut into the non threaded section then weld it in place.

I would also seam weld the not yet broken one.
If trying the 2nd option, get a copper bolt or cut a thread on a copper rod and screw it into the nut to protect the thread.

[mickthemaverick]

Thanks for those thoughts Pete, the situation has changed somewhat now and I am sending the entire tool to Trading Standards in order for them to hopefully get them recalled and possibly prevent someone else having a serious accident as a result of the same problem. If I get it back I may use some parts to rebuild a useable tool, but I will not have any joints which may be subjected to tension in the design. Thus I will probably go along similar lines to my sketch above. It will really just be an exercise in welding for me as I am somewhat rusty !! Boom boom

[CitroJim]

I'm pleased you have involved Trading Standards Mick.

[mickthemaverick]

With a nice sunny day I decided to have a look at the Subaru's rear brake pads and clean up and rustproof all the metal work around the wheel arches. Yet again no pictures I'm afraid as I had the gloves on but I thought it worth recording that the rear pads are still in good condition with at least 4mm of material above the wear mark. So it was just a metal clean and spray job and now just the fronts and the engine service to complete with the aid of my DoE Award Scheme apprentice on Wednesday and the car will be in tip top condition for the MOT next week!!

[MattBLancs]

. It will really just be an exercise in welding for me as I am somewhat rusty !! Boom boom

No expert but you need to grind that bit off!

Like Jim, getting trading standards involved sounds a good move

[mickthemaverick]

I can't face the grinder Matt so I rub Kurust into it every morning after my wash!!

[MattBLancs]

I can't face the grinder Matt so I rub Kurust into it every morning after my wash!!

Yes, a "twist knot" is definitely at the upper end of "exfoliating" scale!

Maybe leave it, that "Corten" look is all the range at the moment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weathering_steel

<-- smiling, plus verdigris!

[CitroJim]

Good work on the car Mick

Yet again no pictures I'm afraid as I had the gloves on

The reason I use a 'proper' camera these days. I can operate with with gloves on easily with no faffing around...

With my big grown-up camera I can fully operate it with badly Reynold'ed and gloved fingers when I'm out capturing runners. Under such conditions I can barely hold a 'phone, let alone take pictures with it!

I can supply a suitable camera for your needs if required

[mickthemaverick]

Good work on the car Mick

Yet again no pictures I'm afraid as I had the gloves on

The reason I use a 'proper' camera these days. I can operate with with gloves on easily with no faffing around...

With my big grown-up camera I can fully operate it with badly Reynold'ed and gloved fingers when I'm out capturing runners. Under such conditions I can barely hold a 'phone, let alone take pictures with it!

I can supply a suitable camera for your needs if required

Thanks Jim but I have three already. However I don't use them with dirty hands, gloved or not, and because it means transferring the images to one of my posting devices which is just automatic with pics taken with the phone, which I do use with dirty hands. The need to get the job done and back into the warm is the main reason for not prolonging the time taking pics!!

[CitroJim]

The need to get the job done and back into the warm is the main reason for not prolonging the time taking pics!!

Given the prevailing weather, that's a good a reason as any!

I have a semi-sacrificial camera I don't mind getting oily and mucky and using Flickr, the image uploading is as painless as a smartphone for me...

A bit like my burner phone really, if the camera I use gets damaged it's no great loss...

[mickthemaverick]

It was a bit warmer this morning so I did manage some pictures for confirmation. I got the last part of the running gear overhaul done with an inspection of the front calipers and pads:

MTMO

which still have some life and a cleanup of the sliders.

Then it was time to treat the metal and I got a before picture:

MTMO

of the nearside and an after picture:

MTMO

of the offside.

Just the engine service to go as I swapped out the cabin filter yesterday and forgot to mention it!!

[mickthemaverick]

It's been a busy day and I've only just got the chance to update the Subaru MOT preparation. Yesterday, aided by my D of E Award assistant, I completed the engine service and the topping up of washer fluid and checked the condition of all other fluids. Everything is good and I am pleased to say the sump plug magnet was spotlessly clean and the drained oil looked more like strong tea than used engine oil. Still retaining some of its natural colour and being sparkly clear with 0 sign of any pollutants. Having replaced the filter it was refilled with Shell Helix 5-30 synthetic, varieties of which it has run on for the last 4 years. All that is left is a polish of the headlights and a wash which I'll do on the way to the MOT next week!!

MTMO