|
June 2009
I
generally have to regard my MGB roadster as a fair-weather-only
vehicle because the top puts up such a tremendous fight when I make
any attempt to erect it, and as a result, I choose to engage in the
battle only if I’m caught in unexpected rain. The very fact that the
top is used so infrequently makes matters worse since I’m sure it
shrinks when stowed for long periods. Even when it does pour down,
I’ve found that if a reasonable speed can be maintained, most of the
rain is deflected over the open car and its possible to stay
comparatively dry. I remember Anne and I feeling quite smug when we
were caught in a cloudburst while on the Washington beltway; at
60mph we just shrugged it off, that is until, as is inevitable on
that road, everything came to a stop. Then we looked simply
ridiculous ¾
trapped in the middle lane and unable to move as the interior of the
car and we became completely saturated.
If
the roadster is the sunshine car, then the GT with its metal top and
recently fitted sun-roof serves as the car I now use when there is
any risk of rain or cool temperatures, so that’s the car I took out
of hibernation first so as to enjoy the early season of MG driving.
However, as soon the forecast promised 70°F temperatures, I went
straight to the garage to get the roadster off its axle stands and
readied to drive. Luck, unfortunately, wasn’t going to cooperate.
The bottom of one of the rear tires looked rather too clean and
black compared to the top and I soon determined it was covered in
oil. I first suspected a brake fluid leak but it turned out to be a
rear axle oil seal failure that allowed oil from the differential to
seep into the brake drum and so onto the tire. The most surprising
thing to me was the damage the oil had done to the brake shoe
linings, turning the lower one into something resembling blotting
paper. That meant not just replacing the oil seal, but also changing
the shoes on both rear wheels and doing a lot of cleaning up of
thick gear oil.
Doing tasks like
the one described above is something I regard as part of the
experience of owning an MG, so whenever I can, I prefer to do the
job myself, only resorting to professional help when confronted with
body and paint problems that need attention. That said, I can’t say
I always enjoy the experience, especially when it involves getting
covered in dirt and grease and where things that should take a few
seconds to take apart or reassemble, end up taking far too long and
result in torn skin and a shortened temper. On top of that, there
are the all too frequent times when I find I have some leftover bolt
or clip that requires I do the job virtually all over again so that
it can be fitted. It was with this in mind that I expressed my
admiration to Guy St. John at the last club meeting. Once I’ve
finished any difficult work on a car I have the satisfaction of
being able to think that at least I won’t have to do that again for
a while. Guy, on the other hand, has to start on the next job that’s
waiting. There is of course a big difference, Guy’s long experience
has provided him all the secrets to doing the job in the most
efficient way and I’m sure, unlike me, he never has to do a job
twice. US members are lucky to have a resource like him still in
business, Don Ensley recently having closed his English Motors
repair company.
As you will see elsewhere in the
June issue, one company that is not going out of
business is Downriver Sports Car Service. A miscommunication between
Bob Fougere and Lise resulted in an announcement to the contrary in
last month’s newsletter, and both were mortified when someone
e-mailed the club to say that we had harmed the business. A few days
later, I lifted my phone with some trepidation when the caller-ID
indicated that John Coleman, owner of Downriver, was on the line. I
needn’t have been concerned. The old adage that all publicity is
good publicity had proven true and John, who is indeed selling a lot
of his MG parts inventory, was delighted to have received a number
of calls that were not only good for business but that started with
some amusing exchanges.
Rick Astley
Club President
|
Other stories, pictures and
features |
Here is some of what you will find in
the June issue of Can-Am Connection:
-
Impromptu "Brake for Brunch" ...
-
Another instalment of "The car that got
away" ...
-
Enjoying the drive - Part II ...
-
Tastes of summer ...
Plus all our regular features including:
-
Club calendar
-
Event details
-
On the Borderline
-
Blast from the Past
-
Classified ads
-
...and more...
Newsletter Archive
Click on the link
above for current and past editions of the Can-Am Connection.
|