What have you been doing today?

[Toria J]

This car dates from 1977 / 78, I really don’t know which model or series it is but it does have large rubber bumpers. I don’t recognise the engine as an A series derivative so I assume it is a 1500cc. For sure it is quick (for that, read terrifying!)
It came to me with dud brakes so I’ve replaced the master cylinder, calipers, discs and pads and guess what - the brakes are still terrible but hopefully they’ll bed in and improve.
When you drive these things you quickly realise how awful they are, although they were really cool when I was a young ‘un.
John

*sticks hands over ears* la la la, can't hear you say how dreadful it is.
I think the 1500 was a Triumph engine, so Mark 4. (I could just Google it, but it's interesting to recall what I learnt from salivating over Practical Classics 20 years ago.)
They switched, like other UK car companies, from chrome to those rubber monstrosities in an attempt to get in on the US market. All went wrong though, didn't it?

 

[Burnerman]

Sounds like you’re playing a game of parts darts there John.

Absolutely! The punter got a ‘brake parts kit’ from a specialist firm in the Midlands- certainly good value!
So, the master cylinder was leaking, the calipers were sticking on and the discs were well thin so on they went, together with two track rod ends.
The brake pedal is completely firm so obviously bled well enough but the stopping power is seriously crap.
I’m wondering if there is an after market servo kit available, but that’s nowt to do with me.
John

 

[Mottie]

Maybe the pads are too hard?

 

[Burnerman]

*sticks hands over ears* la la la, can't hear you say how dreadful it is.
I think the 1500 was a Triumph engine, so Mark 4. (I could just Google it, but it's interesting to recall what I learnt from salivating over Practical Classics 20 years ago.)
They switched, like other UK car companies, from chrome to those rubber monstrosities in an attempt to get in on the US market. All went wrong though, didn't it?

Come to think about it, I think you’re absolutely right about the Triumph mill - memories of the Toledo, maybe?
Anyway, nothing against the classics scene - just not for me but I could be tempted by a Golf Gti or Peugeot 205 Gti if I had the space.
John

 

[Burnerman]

Maybe the pads are too hard?

Could well be, they had no identification and are about the same size as todays rear pads plus a tiny diameter non vented disc so that doesn’t bode well.
So far I’d say a TLS set up would be more effective.
John
.

 

[fillyboy]

This car dates from 1977 / 78, I really don’t know which model or series it is but it does have large rubber bumpers. I don’t recognise the engine as an A series derivative so I assume it is a 1500cc. For sure it is quick (for that, read terrifying!)
It came to me with dud brakes so I’ve replaced the master cylinder, calipers, discs and pads and guess what - the brakes are still terrible but hopefully they’ll bed in and improve.
When you drive these things you quickly realise how awful they are, although they were really cool when I was a young ‘un.
John

Not many years ago a friend let me have a little spurt down a side road in his TR4 and that accelerated quite well, when I braked fairly abruptly, I almost sh1t meself.
I think half of the problem is that many of these cars were non servo brakes and that was the standard of the day, we're so used to driving modern vehicles with far more efficient brakes we've forgotten how poor they were years ago.

On the MG you're working on, might be worth checking the brake hoses, not unusual for them to swell inside restricting the pressure, might also find there's an upgrade, I'm a bit out of touch with this stuff now so that's a bit of a stab in the dark.

 

[Burnerman]

Yes, good point - the flexies looked pretty good but I'll check them for ballooning. That's always an issue when there's no one around to tread on the pedal!
John

 

[Mottie]

Could you run it to your friendly local MOT station and put it on the rollers?

 

[conny]

Taking care of my lovely wife after she was rushed to hospital early this morning.
Thankfully, (strange thing to say but I am thankful), she has labyrinthitis. She woke up about 5.30am feeling very dizzy with a roaring headache and no sense of balance. Paramedics were there by 5.50 and stayed till they had stabilised her and tried various things to try and diagnose what may be causing it. Our GP eventually rang just after 8.00 and confirmed it may be one of 3 things and in her opinion the hospital would be best place to confirm or rule out what it may be. A few hours there, a battery of tests and confirmation it wasn't a stroke, it wasn't her adrenal gland tumour suddenly burst and, most importantly in our minds, it wasn't the cage in her neck dislodged and pressing on something.
She is actually doing what I tell her for once, which is to sit there, relax and get on with her x-stitching.
Full marks to the paramedics and hospital staff at West Suffolk Hospital. All polite, friendly and explained every step of the way what they were doing, why they were doing it and what results they hoped for.

 

[Toria J]

My sympathies to her. Hope she feels better soon.

I have vertigo attacks (BPPV), and that disorientated feeling is awful. (Most days it's barely there - very low level. I notice that it's harder to keep a straight line on the bike & I can't sleep flat without getting dizzy. A slight halo when I look at stuff, wobbly when I get up and sit/lie down. That kind of thing. Severe level is puking, not being able to walk without holding on and constant spinning.)

The Epley manoeuvre clears it up a bit, but it's difficult to do by yourself.

 

[HERTS P&D]

All the best to you Conny and your wife.

Andy

 

[fillyboy]

Best wishes to you both Conny.

 

[EddieM]

@conny best to you both.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Likewise.

 

[Mottie]

That must have been terrifying for the pair of you. Glad it was nothing serious and what great service you got from the NHS. Get well soon Mrs Conny.