Axle Cured

When I bought the car the rear axle was leaking (just one of many problems it had), I read up on it & the internet suggested that the oil could leak round the outside of the wheel bearing. It wasn't a problem for Fords as they force-fitted the bearings, but as the axle got older & perhaps the bearings were changed, the tolerances weren't what they once were. I pulled both 1/2 shafts & put some sealant around the bearings & all was good.

Scroll forward 3 or so years & they started leaking again. At Camberley car show I found myself talking to some people who ran a local garage, not a "£50 to service your Fiesta" place, but proper engineers. They were stood by their 1930's Riley which had been cleverly modified with parts they had designed & manufactured themselves. I took a card & squirreled it away.

So when I needed the rear wheel bearings replaced - not a simple job - I knew where to go. The bearings are held in place by a shrunk - on ring which needs to be carefully cut off, then the new bearing fitted & a new ring heated up & pressed on. I took them in, went to my girlfriend's house for a few days & they called me to say they were all done. I picked them up when I got home, fitted them that evening, checked the axle oil level & put the car back on its wheels (I swapped the front & rear wheels as the LSD is starting to wear the rears a bit).

I got the new bearings from Burtons & interestingly (interesting if you're like me - other opinions are available) they now have a thin O-ring on the outer face to stop the oil leaking

Today I took the car to work & the engine was fine after all its' troubles & when I got home the inside of the back wheels are DRY.

So, this is a BIG thank you to Harding Auto Services, who are based near Woking & have excellent people & facilities. It's wonderful to find a garage that can do more than plug in a laptop & replace whatever it tells them to replace.

Oh yes - I said "took it to work" - my third attempt at retiring has failed, I'm back designing stuff for Surrey Satellite. So that'll be 49 years in Aerospace then 😧.