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Sunday 6th May 2007
"One Step Forward And Two Steps Back!" |
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Today, I had a gearbox specialist out to look at the major problem of D23- the faulty gearbox. If this could be rectified, then D23 will once again be able to move around under her own power. Intital checks revealed that the the gearbox was bone dry - There was no transmission oil present in the unit at all.
This of course, would have a knock on effect with the functioning of the gearbox, so the first step was to top of the gearbox with appropriate transmission oil - which proved not to be the easiest thing to purchase due to it being a Sunday on a bank holiday weekend!
After some unsuccessful telephone calls, Gary Conn came to the rescue with a drum of the necessary oil, which will be replaced in due course.
So full of optimisim, the gearbox oil was topped up: |
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Above: Oil prior to filling - © C.Anderson |
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Above: Preperation begins - © D.Stirling |
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Above: Oil in - © D.Stirling |
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Above: The oil continues to flow - © D.Stirling |
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Above: Checking levels - © D.Stirling |
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Above: More oil in! - © D.Stirling |
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Above: Operation complete!! - © C.Anderson |
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Above: Final checks - © D.Stirling |
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So with the gearbox now topped with oil, D23 was started and her Gardner engine kicked into life as usual.... Gear was engaged... and nothing. Oh well, investigations will now be on-going with the gearbox specialist to determine the fault and the lack of drive!
A panel located below the drivers window was removed to investigate what was behind it - which turned out to be some more cab electrics. Once panel was removed, it was decided to try stripping the paint from it. |
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Above: The panel below the cab window removed - © C.Anderson |
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Above: Behind the panel - © C.Anderson |
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Above: Stripping the paint from the panel - © D.Stirling |
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| Once this was done, it was decided to fit the front upper window obtained on the 30th April. At which point it was discovered that the window obtained did not fit D23.... And the air therefore turned blue... |
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Above: Panel re-fitted and scaffolding in place for fitting of the upper deck window - © C.Anderson |
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I had investigated windows sizes previously and learned that R-Type upper deck windows were the same size even between low height and high height bodies. In fact, all R-Type vehicles currently in Bridgeton were checked and all were the same size.
The problem with this window, was that Alexander offered two options. And it was this that was not taken into consideration (or even known about!) The two options available from the factory were flat glass or curved glass. D23 had curved glass.... And you guessed it, The Stagecoach Olympian from which the window was obtained from was flat glass.... Hence why it would not fit. So if anyone needs a 'flat glass' upper deck R type window, please contact me!
So window fitting was therefore abadoned...... But while the scaffolding was up, i decided to check the roof out properly. Everything seems to be OK, except for the front nearside panels - which hopefully can be pushed out from the inside and filled at a later date rather than repanelled. |
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Above: The damaged roof panel - © C.Anderson |
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| Not as much was done today as I had hoped, and I was now learning that in the world of bus preservation, for every step forward, you take two steps back! |
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