Been a long while since I last updated and have to admit that progress has been slow thanks to lack of money and now work takes up a lot of my time. Life eh?
The car was last driven at the end of August but it all went rather pear shaped driving along the A21 at dusk when I noticed the headlamps getting dimmer and the voltage dropping. The no charge light didn't illuminate so I carried on hoping to get back before the battery died on me. After another few miles disaster struck and the engine dropped a cylinder or two and started to run really roughly. By this time there voltage was below 12 and I was driving with just side lights when other cars weren't visible to save charge. A carried on like this for another few miles (still half an hour away from home mind) nursing the engine desperately trying to stop it stalling on me before a horrible grinding noise started to come from the engine bay and the engine began to struggle yet more.
Darkness had fallen completely by now and the headlamps were next to useless so I ducked off the A21 and took a B road to Tunbridge Wells with the intention to making it to my Grandmothers where I could safely leave the car overnight. I wasn't going to stop until I got there or the engine died. For what seemed like hours I maintained a constant speed driving by what little moonlight there was turning the pathetic candles whenever an oncoming car was seen in the distance terrified that the voltage would soon be unable to bridge the spark gap, or the terrible racket would see me stranded. Finally I made it and the car stopped, completely devoid of charge just outside the house.
After a few moments to accept that I'd actually made it back alive I slowly lifted the bonnet to investigate the damage. The misfire was down to the dizzy cap splitting and the terrible sound was the long alternator bolt protruding into the path of the fan. The alternator was still plugged and apparently in good order so I guess it was the new diode pack/soldering that had given up the ghost. I got the car on charge the next day and made some quick repairs to get it drivable again before driving it the extra few miles home where it sat until a few weeks ago while I got adjusted into my new job and raised some cash.
With the prospect of finally being able to get insurance for sensible money looming I got hold of an Accuspark kit for the old Delco on eBay which really helped with the running. I also replaced the alternator with a 45 amp Mini type. While doing this I spotted some suspiciously shiny looking metal protruding from the baulk head (there are some advantages to working at night with a torch!). On closer inspected the steering rack was missing the bush all together and was slack. The lower joint was also showing signs of wear and tear to the rubber washers so I got the intermediate shaft off tonight which I'll take into work and pop in the parts washer tomorrow. It'll make a nice change from the normal Mercedes W125 tat!
I am now debating what the best course of action is. I don't really want to replace like for like so have been looking at a poly bush for the baulk head and either poly bushes for the lower flexi or going for a UJ. I prefer the idea of a UJ but can't find anything definite regarding fit or which part to use. Is there an off the shelf UJ that's properly made and that will fit without either cutting the inner wing flange or shaft/column?
Thanks
James