Colin Lindsay

Forgive me guys n gals, I'm feeling lazy but I can't find the proper name for the interior grey paint for early Heralds (grey steering wheel etc) and the gold for the rocker cover. Anyone got the correct name and / or paint code? I know the club has the gold, but the grey? Last I bought was from Bill at Rarebits, so you can tell how long ago that was. (Actually I did search for five minutes or so but every search I entered using the terms rocker AND cover AND gold gave me the results of every post that contained any of the words, including AND...)

When you say rails, where did you get them from? They're really only metal rods so should be easy to remake. Convertibles just have a small clip on either end no more than about an inch long. That eBay mirror is vastly overpriced, you can get them at your link (good site, that!) or else at places like the NEC or Stoneleigh, where I got mine (don't want to be smug but it was £1 and the seller had plenty). you don't realise how much they have faded until you see the new one. Incidentally the large sunvisor mirrors are also available from shows at £1 so don't pay big money for one of those either.

Sometimes, as happens with me, as soon as you put it into words on the screen you think of a solution. It'll take you a few years to catch up with me for unnecessary questions that I've answered for myself by the time I've posted them, but it all helps other members who may have the same problem and don't know where to start. This forum is also great for coming up with more in-depth solutions ie don't just replace the fuel line, replace it with ethanol-resistant etc. So post away no matter how simple or basic it may seem. You never stop learning.

Nicely spotted, John. No10 x 3/4.... equates to what in their dropdown list?

Just done a search; there are two available GKN versions: GKN U050 which appear standard and GKN TVF100000 which are uprated. As you say Clive, it really takes you to read the small print as many CLAIM to be GKN but then state further down it may be an alternative quality replacement and not as pictured. I've found a few genuine GKN versions but postage is a whopping £12.50 from companies such as LRDirect... Paddock spares are cheaper per unit, but they want £16 for postage.... https://www.paddockspares.com/universal-joint-5.html

Ok - so that identifies the ones I bought a few years back for the Herald as standard, although mine are regreasable. This large bulge on the underside ties in with Andrew's post on greasing UJs; they will only fit in one orientation on the halfshafts as if fitted 90 degrees out you can't get at the threaded aperture to insert a grease nipple to grease them. Don't ask me which orientation they require as that particular car is unavailable to me at present... but no doubt I'll find out the hard way soon with another on-going rebuild. If I want those particular heavy duty ones for both Herald and GT6, they are the Freelander items from LR? The TVF100000 units?

I've never used mechanical but would have been wondering if it had been putting out too much pressure, and thereby split the pipe; however those in the know will probably confirm that this doesn't happen... I was just thinking out loud!

Either you've got Red Indians living down there, or you've put carpet in? Very nice! Here's wishing you health to enjoy.

Ok Clive - so I'll throw myself on the mercy of the forum and wait for the preferred option before committing for four for a Herald. Obviously I want to go for the best and get the longest and most hard-wearing use out of them, so will hold off ordering any until I see what the consensus of opinion is.

Glad you discovered it before anything more serious happened. Is that with a standard mechanical pump, or electrical?

That is tidy! Can we see photos with the cover removed?

I bought one of these years back (in the 1990s) from Fitchetts and the lower brackets were supplied, but not attached, just taped inside the valence. I was told at the time that you fit and gap the valence, then position the brackets to brace the valence whilst in the proper location against the chassis, and tackweld them onto the rear of the valence. The car was resprayed before they were ever fitted. Regarding the bumper brackets I'd guess it's a one-size-fits-all for Heralds and Vitesse; the unit is supplied as a basic and you're expected to add the bits for your specific model. Give Chic Doig a ring, he'll either supply them or make them if no-one else that you've tried has them.

Can't you point them backwards and get a little bit more oomph out of the engine?

No, not sorted yet - I still haven't got a definite application for the return springs. Lots of 'approximate to' 'similar to' but not THE proper fitment.

I usually grease mine as a matter of course when fitting, no matter how old stock or brand new they are I'll pop each cap off, add new grease, and replace. Freshens things up!

THAT'S the guy I got the Commer reference from! The other info came - roughly - from here, by a lot of searching and cross-referencing: https://www.northwestautomotivehydraulics.co.uk/contact

I bought the grease nipples off eBay - needed longer versions in that particular thread - and they arrived as straight-through pipes with a ball fitment for the gun and a thread at the other - no non-return or ball mechanism. The oil just flows straight through. It works with grease too but you must keep the gun very full, and softening it with heat, such as hot water, before use helps.

Extra long grease nipples seem to max out at 1 inch online. You may need to split one and put a length of flexible tubing in between the two halves, or else as I do for the trunnions, a grease nipple onto tubing which goes directly to the oil or grease gun. If it's clear tubing you can watch the fluid flow.

Might be useful in the future, won't we have to have someone walking in front of the car with one of these if we venture anywhere near a town centre?

You been using that Baby Bio-fuel again?

Must be, but they still work well!

Ok I won't. Dammit, I will. Is that a railway lamp on the shelf? Lovely job on those components, they're coming up like new.

Thank you! That's much appreciated.

Just one small question - are they fitted correctly? I used a set that had the long grease nipple in place, didn't remove it, and when I put the car down off the stands it fouled the flanges. It turns out there's a correct direction of fitment, and a wrong one... with the nipple in place they won't turn, with it removed you can't get it back in again. I actually believe it's still fitted to that car so might be able to check tomorrow, and confirm the orientation.

Thanks Pete, but can it be done through the website directly by members? I can upload text but can see no way to add a pic. Does this mean I have to contact HQ?