Driving to my storage shed the other day, the nose of Gleaming Beauty was right down on my arrival. Somewhat perplexing, as I hadn't picked it up whilst driving. Anyway, opening the bonnet revealed that the plastic fitting had pulled out from the metal connecting rod that connects the front valve to the anti sway bar. Well, no real problem, even though I had new spares at home only, but a plastic tie soon reconnected the two parts. Started Gleaming Beauty, suspension came up immediately and I was set for my return home later in the day - a trip of some thirty one kilometers. On the way home, the plastic tie unhooked itself, but again no problem, another soon got me back on the way.
Thus, when I arrived home, I set about fitting a new connection, but I had just a tad bit of difficulty dismantling the connecting lever from the lever that is attached to the valve. Eventually, after a liitle ham-fisting, I removed the lever from the valve and fitted the new cranked ball joint (?), and started the engine. All was well initially, with the suspension rising gradually, but to the high level and, no matter what I did, the car would not settle in the normal position. Ah well, leave it alone, and just drive back to the storage shed the next morning. Oh, BTW, as I reversed out the driveway, the front suspension dropped right down, and it was only after some hopeful coaxing and manouevring of the lever on the distribution valve, that the suspension came back to the high setting and immediately locked solid - just no springing. Anyway, I was committed, and so I hopped and pogo-sticked the thirty one kilometers back to my storage shed - driving at no more than forty k.s all the way.
Naturally, I had to try and do something to fix whatever problem it was but, honestly, all my efforts came to nought. I jacked the front and let it back down, but to no avail. It would still return to the high, and solid, setting whereas the back, once I lowered it back down off the jack, it would collapse but starting the engine, the car came back up without fuss, but solid. So back home again, feeling pretty down even though the ride was a bit improved. That was on a Friday, and the next day I tidied up Gleaming Beauty in readiness for the German Car Day organized by our Club, and I also wanted to fit my Super Duper Taiwanese made Speedy rims, for a heightened visual appeal. So, on the Sunday, off I went, with GB really looking the part, making all the right kind of exhaust noises and even the ride, although still high, was acceptable. Okay, I figured, not totally perfect, but I managed to get there and, eventually, back home again. Pogo stick all the way, suspension rock solid and GB up in the air on high heels. More to come. Styria
Thus, when I arrived home, I set about fitting a new connection, but I had just a tad bit of difficulty dismantling the connecting lever from the lever that is attached to the valve. Eventually, after a liitle ham-fisting, I removed the lever from the valve and fitted the new cranked ball joint (?), and started the engine. All was well initially, with the suspension rising gradually, but to the high level and, no matter what I did, the car would not settle in the normal position. Ah well, leave it alone, and just drive back to the storage shed the next morning. Oh, BTW, as I reversed out the driveway, the front suspension dropped right down, and it was only after some hopeful coaxing and manouevring of the lever on the distribution valve, that the suspension came back to the high setting and immediately locked solid - just no springing. Anyway, I was committed, and so I hopped and pogo-sticked the thirty one kilometers back to my storage shed - driving at no more than forty k.s all the way.
Naturally, I had to try and do something to fix whatever problem it was but, honestly, all my efforts came to nought. I jacked the front and let it back down, but to no avail. It would still return to the high, and solid, setting whereas the back, once I lowered it back down off the jack, it would collapse but starting the engine, the car came back up without fuss, but solid. So back home again, feeling pretty down even though the ride was a bit improved. That was on a Friday, and the next day I tidied up Gleaming Beauty in readiness for the German Car Day organized by our Club, and I also wanted to fit my Super Duper Taiwanese made Speedy rims, for a heightened visual appeal. So, on the Sunday, off I went, with GB really looking the part, making all the right kind of exhaust noises and even the ride, although still high, was acceptable. Okay, I figured, not totally perfect, but I managed to get there and, eventually, back home again. Pogo stick all the way, suspension rock solid and GB up in the air on high heels. More to come. Styria
