XSU976

Took a coupleof days of to refit my now rebuilt sump (thanks to GDC for the spare), went well oil has stayed on the inside so all is looking good. Whilst the car is up on jacks I thought I'd look into the soft suspension at the rear (my lardy bum seems to make the back end ground out too easily), having read a few threads I'd set myself up to buy some new shocks and perhaps fit bigger springs, i found some cheap spring assistors so that seemed a good option. Well the spring assistors have gone in OK and hopefully I'll leave a few less sparks when running overbumpy ground but when i went to check the shocks, I got a shock, the damping operation only acts in one direction, when a load is applied to towards the floor the only resistance is the spring, when the springs recover and start to lift the body the shocks damp the movement,surely this isn't right?, no problem I thought I can get shocks that act in both directions and the bounce will be reduced even more. Now the problem, the original RH design appeared to use sierra shockers which had a top mounted stud an easy job to remove, mine have eyes top and bottom, the original builder (Chris & Mick from 1996 iv'e found your signature under the boot) has welded on a very sturdy mount for the top of the shocker only it must have ben fitted well before the rear wings because theres no room to remove the shock from the stud without stripping the car down to the chassis, thanks boys. For now I am leaving things be, hopefuly the spring assistors will improve things, if not its major strip down which I'm not really ready for. Can someone confirm i am on the right track, surely if theres less resistance to a wheel moving up into the wheelarch there will be issues with traction and grip? Any advice will be gatefully received. Cheers, Tom Hayden

Gents, Thanks for the as usual round of prompt responses, Chris is right, the original has been modified, I was led to believe it was a standard sump by the seller but on closer inspection it can't be allthough it doesn't appear to have a side extension for recovering the original oil capacity. The rusty damage has always been there but only as a consequence of gentle scraping over speed humps, this damage is a lovely dent which I think may well have damaged the pickup as it is very deep. Gaz, Your offer of a spare sump would be greatfully received, I only need to swap them over whilst I refettle / reinforce the original. Because the car lives under a cover and I'm not sure how quickly I can get it done it would help if I could use your sump to box the engine up until I'm ready to refit the original. Could you pm me some contact details so I can get in touch please. Thanks again for the advice, hopefully it will be back on the road soon. Tom Hayden

Out for a run on Saturday, moved into the middle of the road to give a cyclist some room when there was a large bang and the I lost the speedo? Ran ok on the way home no rattles or bangs, oil pressure good, no smoke etc. Put it up on the ramps and found the speedo cable hanging down and this, I've no idea what I hit but fortunately nothing gave way. Looked on fleabay but can only find 'modified' sumps where you supply the original, I'm not sure they would want to work with this one. Having looked underneath, it looks like I can simply drop the sump down and back without disturbing the engine, is this right? If I try to fit a short sump will I have to lift the engine? Anyone out there got a sump to suit 1600 for sale please. Cheers, Tom Hayden

Guy, I have a copy of the ford interactive technical manual that covers your Galaxy, it contains the mechanics step by step removal refitiiting process. If you would like a copy then PM me. Tom Hayden

Graham, If these rubbers are the same as on the front zimmers, I managed to find replacement rubbers from a mini spares specialist, as it was they only had one in stock so I ended up modifying some poly spring rubbers i aquired from work but I'm sure the mini brubbers are a straight swap. I think you can find them here link otherwise I may be able to supply some poly springs to make your own. Tom Hayden

Hi guys, another big thanks to John and the team for organising another great day. Took a few pics but have been struggling to find somewhere to upload to due to file size, Barkston Aug 08 pictures This link should take you to the appropriate web site, the user name is xsu976 and the password is rhocar. Hope this all works, anyone not captured should have slowed down and I make no apologies for having extra pics of my own car. Tom Hayden

As I recollect. the entrance is by the buildings at the top of the lane (where the B6403 sign is), I think you ignore the first sign to Barkston Heath (assuming you are heading towards ancaster) and turn left into a small gatehouse, if you need fuel carry on past the gatehouse turn off and go left at the traffic lights, the petrol station is a couple of hundred yards on the left. Just follow the people with big grins on their faces. Tom Hayden

Hi John, Cheque went in the post this evening, if it does'nt turn up by Tuesday please shout. I don't want to miss out. Cheers, Tom Hayden

John, I haven't received any demands for payment in the post, have I missed something ? should I have sent the money already? if so who should it go to? Tom Hayden

Thank you very much.

Matt, theres a bit of a history. I signed up in October last year and Tim Norman said if I joined up I would get 2008 membership as there was not a lot happening up to the end of the year. Earlier this year (around April) I still had not received any 2008 membership details, I wrote to Tim and shortly after I received a 2008 windscreen sticker and membership card. It looks like I am on the 2007 register but have fallen off the 2008. If its a problem then don't worry I will renew at the end of the year and things should sort themselves out. Regards, Tom Hayden

I want to be special too

Steve, No change it seems, the reference is stiil showing upgrade to 2009 membership and when I enter my number (928) it tells me I'm only registered for 2007. Any ideas? Cheers, Tom Hayden

Hi All, I have the same problem but the upgrade link won't work. The link suggests the upgrade is to 2009 membership, all I want to do is register that I have a shiny black card and sticker for 2008 and would like 'members' privilages. I did respond to the 'spam' e-mail last month as the message presumed I was not a full member but no one has responded so perhaps I can tag on to Noels thread and someone can help me out. Cheers. Tom Hayden

Hi Graham, Will be going to Newark (Eamonn wants a 3 wheeler), Not sure when though as we may end up staying over with family. I will let you know before the end of the week. Tom Hayden

John, I had planned to be at Silverstone for the Renault event, I would be happy to help with the marshalling but would I be ok to take pics or at least get some free time to take photos around the track? Tom Hayden

Hi John, Please put me down with an extra driver. Cheers, Tom Hayden Your on the List

Hi gents, To those who organised the day on Saturday I'd just like to say a big thank you. As a trackday newbie I really enjoyed myself and despite the breakdown before I even got off the airfield I had a great day. Thanks to the guys who offered and gave assistance getting me outside the gate, I convinced the breakdown guy I was there to watch the model airplanes (honest) The breakdown was not too major, killed my battery with a dead short which actually explains why I had a major loss of power each time I went through the fist chicane on the timed laps so perhaps we can add that to the list of excuses, I'm sure I dropped 5 seconds at that chicane. Anyway I have posted a few pictures at the address below, hopefully the link will work if not then try cutting & pasting http://groups.msn.com/RHOCARBarkstone/shoebox.msnw Thanks again for a great day, I can't wait until August. Tom Hayden Barkstone pics

Hi John, Will there be handicaps for those driving lightweights and not carrying enough baggage? I suggest a value based on the gap between the steering wheel & belly button would be a good start. Put me down for -5 and a 50m head start. Cheers, Tom Hayden

8am is fine for me, all I've got to do now is dry out my bloomin seat. See you Sunday.

Hi Graham, Sorry for lack of response I have been away, I didn't see any E-mail have you got the right address? (thomas.hayden@ntlworld.com) I'm hoping to go up on Sunday as long as the weather is not too bad. If your not going Sat let me know and I'll join you Sunday. Tom Hayden

Dave, Thanks for looking its much appreciated but I think I've cracked it. Whilst mooching around the stores at work looking for a suitable spacer I fell over some poly springs which are exactly the right width and diameter, only the bore is too small but that a good thing. Got home tonight and turned a groove in the centre of the bush to match the old one on my lathe (by lathe I mean a drill clamped in a workbench and a file for a cutting with) Bush fits perfectly, just need to perfect opening out the centre to take the original steel bush as my first attempt wasn't quite square, it will be by Sunday. Thanks again for the offers of help, Tom Hayden

Gents thanks for the support, I've managed to track down the bush through Mini Spares in Potters Bar but unfortunately there not on stock (computer said 1, bin said no) On a positive note they did have some poly bushes which allthough they have a 1/2" sleeve I'm reasonably confident that I can make them fit, so hang fire with your kind offers until the weekend. Thanks again for the input, Tom Hayden

Wow how helpfull are you guys, Mitch, I never thought of the motorcycle idea, I'll give it a go at the weekend if I can't get any further. Dave, I'm in Houghton Regis near Dunstable, I don't get home till late but would you be around at the weekend? Cheers, Tom Hayden

Hi Guys, I think I've made BOO BOO, I've signed up for Barkstone next month and thought I give my new toy a bit of adjustment up front. When looking at the bushes on the front shocks they were clearly worse for wear and as I have next to zero ground clearance I though every mm would count so set about removing the shocks to simply replace the bushes, should be no problem. Once removed the bushes are clearly shot and on one actually worn through to the steel, the rubber insert came out quite easily, all I need to do now is buy new bushes and fit them. I foolishly thought it would be no problem finding new bushes, I was wrong, as I'm sure you all know the suppliers for shocks all want a model for their search engines and RH doesn't pop up. I spoke to a couple of very helpfull guys at Deling on Sunday who are of the opinion that the shocks are actually Mini shocks, I believe they are original RH supplied "Zimmerides" can anyone please advise on where I might find these bushes, prefferably local to Luton / Dunstable. Hopefully I have attached a picture of the offending part, the mounting shaft is 9.4mm dia I assume its 3/8" and the tightest point insite the mounting ring is 3/4" opening out to 1" at the outer edge. Any help would be gratefully received as I really don't want to miss thwe track day. Cheers, Tom Hayden