On the road at last

[JohnWoodman]

Another Dax hits the road at last. Got my age related plates last week. This week has been great, the first real break in the weather and the trips to and from work have been emense fun. I'm just waiting for the crowds of people to die down a bit at lunchtimes.

Anyway, I have now done about 400 miles and here is the shake down list

1) That crap ford steering bush at the bottom of the steering column keeps working its way up the steering column. I have put a jubilee clip around the triangular section to prevent it moving for the time being. I think I may replace it with a proper roller bearing at some point. Has anyone else had this problem?

2) I have four puddles of oil that collect around the 4 centre inlet manifold bolts (2 on each side). I'm assuming the oil is coming up the threads, but I thought the only oil that high in the engine would be coming up the pushrods to oil the rockers. I'll try thread sealing the bolts to see if it stops. Again has any one else had this problem?

3) Squeak from the rear brakes. When I'm driving along I get an intermittent squeak which increases in frequency with road speed. If I brake it goes away. So I'm assuming it's a pad not coming away from the disc properly. I've had a look at the pads and they seem free enough. I'll try bleeding the rear brakes to see if that solves it (could be an air pocket preventing the piston from being sucked away from the pad). The plates that the pads are mounted on slide on pins do you normally grease the pins? I assembled mine dry.

4) Still have the fuel leak in the tank, I'm pretty sure it is comming from one of the welds holding the baffles in place. It's only a problem when I fill the tank above 3/4 so I'm currently only filling to 1/2. Dax have said they will have it back and re-pressure test but I want to do a few miles in my new toy while the weather is nice. As soon as it starts raining I'll drop the tank out and have a better look. Someone said dusting it with talcom powder will show where the leak is coming from so I'll try that also.

Happy motoring for now

Cheers
John

[wsnaith]

Hi John

Can't wait to get mine on the road also.

With regard to the bush on the end of the the steering column I had the same problem - actually caused a fail point at SVA as the steering was really heavy and it wouldn't self centre

Spoke to Peter at DJ and he said it was a common problem - solution - whilst the bush is up and unseated put some black grease around it. Force it back down into the seating and then hold in place with a big dollop of wurth

I did just that and although I've only driven back to the SVA centre and back it hasn't moved!

Cheers

warren

[Purple AK]

Well Done John Here's a better solution for the steering column bush (and not a drop of wurth in sight) Supporting the steering shaft