National P5 Owners Club Rally

[Phil Nottingham]

As no-one has publised this on here as yet is anyone going its less than 3 weeks way now.

Its in the NW at Haigh Hall nr Wigan - will there be any Rover autojumblers there?.

How many are going , we are if that is any help

[Smallfry]

Too far for me unfortunately.

[Deleted]

We will be going once I renew the bushes on my right hand radius rod - strewth it looks like a bu**er of a job!.

[Phil Nottingham]

It is a lot of bother for just one bush - its best to do all of them on that side as it involves stripping the whole suspension down.

Bad cheapo design as if the rear bracket had been bolt on rather than welded it would be a 10 min job!

Someone on the old board has done this - but you need access to thick metal and a good welder

[Deleted]

Thanks Phil, I tried to do this job at home on the drive but chickened out.
I am hoping we can do it on a ramp at work this week!

Adrian

[p5tgc]

At least 3 cars traveling down from Scotland to the National Rally & Dinner.

[Phil Nottingham]

The weather forecast looks terrible for the whole weekend - however we are going to try to get there so I hope those up North can make their way down.

The museum is excellent anyway so even if its is raining there is no need to get wet

[Welsh Warlock]

p5tgc said:

At least 3 cars traveling down from Scotland to the National Rally & Dinner.

Trevor, surely at least 4? You, Jim, Cairns and Tom?

[Phil Nottingham]

Freddy - this is one of those jobs that looks dead easy until you try it!

I will be interested how your garage goes about it as the w/s manual gives no help in this matter! I have done 3 so far and removal of the bottom link after releasing the torsion bar tension seems to be the only way to me.

I have heard of someone cutting the rod halfway along and presumably welding it or threading it so it can be screwed/twisted back together. This also sound dubious as it may pull apart

This seems too drastic! The tube is actually hollow and can get bent or dented if too heavy handed. Perhaps being Aston Martin experts they can design a solid version in 2 parts, could be useful sideline?

The cup washers at the rear mounting also rust away, if they are damgeed they will cut into the new bush, which is round on later versions. It becomes much flatter when the rear castle nut fastened up

[p5tgc]

Alan,
The numbers keep growing, "Molly" will be there too!

[Deleted]

Phil, the evil deed is done!
We only did one side today and we seperated the top ball joint quite easily, wound out some tension at the rear ride height adjuster and after disconnecting ARB, damper etc, removing cailper (and tying it out of the way) we lowered the arm and then unbolted it and pulled off the arm from the torsion bar - phew!!
Then removed the radius arm from the lower arm (inner sleeve of rubber bush rusted on to arm - heated it and got it off. Fit new metalastic bush to rod and arm, new gaiters to upper and lower ball joints (lower kingpin gaiter from Aston Martin DB6 !) Refit assembly. arm to torsion bar and fiddle with ball shaped bushes in to chassis (what a fiddle).
Not a job to repeat in a hurry !

Thanks for all advice and tips from everyone on this forum.

Cheers

Adrian

[Phil Nottingham]

That is the only way I have found to do it - not a 5 min driveway job!

One it did the torsion bar leaves separated so I had to make a clamp to pull them together so the bottom link would go back on. Sometimmes they rust solidly into the link and the back adjuster.

Never had any problems with separating the ball joints though many do

[Phil Nottingham]

To get back on the subject

How many are going this weekend, its a good long run for us (200 odd miles round trip again but unlike Duxford we are not into stately homes at all so it will just be for the (P5)cars.

I also have to be back at work early Monday so do not want to make it a waste of effort.

The weather does not look too brilliant so far but better than it was at Duxford, so is it worth it?

What do the locals say up north?

[Welsh Warlock]

I shall be going with some friend but unfortunately sans p5 as the gearbox is out and won't be back in until at least next week!

Second major Rover event this year that I have been without a P5! This could become a habit!

[Phil Nottingham]

It can be like that - that's I have 2

[johnwp5bcoupe]

I would love to attend Phil but 400 miles round trip is a long way on a car that has only done 170 since a total rebuild I know you would say it's a good test but the weather looks a bit dodgy and if I was unlucky in breaking down I would rather it was in the dry next year

[Deleted]

Now thats what I call a long range weather forecast!!!

[Warwick (Ozcoupe)]

johnwp5bcoupe said:

I would love to attend Phil but 400 miles round trip is a long way on a car that has only done 170 since a total rebuild I know you would say it's a good test but the weather looks a bit dodgy and if I was unlucky in breaking down I would rather it was in the dry next year

And this from a man who for fun drove karts for 24 hours with a lap full of snow!
You need a good brolly John.

[johnwp5bcoupe]

Yes Warwick but the Karts had all had a good shakedown prior to racing and my wife wasn't in the passenger seat as there was only one ;D I could put up with all the things thrown at me racing but Lynne giving me grief on a social days driving

www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/nw/wigan_forecast_weather.html