A couple of years ago I
fitted a new Damper Mounting Bracket to the nearside
on the 6A because in the passage of time it had rusted and
the metal was getting very thin. We now have the same
problem on Glen's 5A, I suppose it has not done too bad
as the car is now 28 years old but replacements are getting
hard to find.
We have found replacements and as I looked
at them I started to consider how I can make them last the
life of the car, assuming that it will be longer than another
28 years. The narrow gap between top and bottom makes
it difficult to clean and seal the inside and the metal
rusts away on the inner and outer sides.
When you think of it the answer is obvious, seal the "box"
ends. So this is what I have done by welding a plate
at either end.
The more observant will see the screw on
the top of the plate, this is where I poured in waxoil
( or you can pump in grease ) because although the ends
are sealed the top and bottom parts of the plate are not
completely sealed as the original welding is not continuous
and thin oil will leak from the bolt holes if nowhere else.
I am surprised that I did not think of this
earlier as years ago I replaced the diagonal rear "U"
outriggers with solid tubes. Looking around the rest
of the chassis there are other places where sealing can
improve things, the forward lateral tube ( behind the front
springs ) for one but here I think I might hammer in wooden
( barrel ) bungs rather than welding the ends up as it will
be easier to do.
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