worst job to do on a westfield

[JeffC]

I would like to nominate the removal and refitting of the reverse gearbox on a bec.. after putting it off for 6 months I did this yesterday  and it was as bad as I remember    

anything worse than that    

[Terry Everall]

No,  its the worst

[Blatman]

Rear bulkhead stiffening/diff cage strengthening... pain in the A*** on a car with panels already on...

[cidersurfer]

Shimming solid lifters...

[John Williams (Panda) - Joint Manchester AO]

I thought it was paying for it!

I didn't like reversing the wiper motor unit.

cheers

John

[bedlam age]

Hi Jeff,

on the gearbox subject mine is leaking oil and can be a real t*#t to change drive direction. As a reslult I have decided to have it stipped down and rebuilt to see if this cures the problem.

I have recieved a new set of seals and nuts ( £12 each nut!! ) and I am still waiting for new flanges which are on back order. In your experience is this likely to cure the problem, how long is it likely to last betwean re-builds and do you have any tips on completing the job?

On a seperate subject ( I think or is this related? ) I have a vibration/knocking which seems to come from the transmission ( feels like the props? ) at speeds above 80mph. This is amplified when above 80mph  and backing off full throttle ( is this the 'backlash' I've read about ) is this something to worry about and can you cure this?

Cheers Guys

[bedlam age]

Sorry colour of txt now visible!

[Crazy Eddie]

QUOTE

Hi Jeff,

on the gearbox subject mine is leaking oil and can be a real t*#t to change drive direction. As a reslult I have decided to have it stipped down and rebuilt to see if this cures the problem.

I have recieved a new set of seals and nuts ( £12 each nut!! ) and I am still waiting for new flanges which are on back order. In your experience is this likely to cure the problem, how long is it likely to last betwean re-builds and do you have any tips on completing the job?

On a seperate subject ( I think or is this related? ) I have a vibration/knocking which seems to come from the transmission ( feels like the props? ) at speeds above 80mph. This is amplified when above 80mph  and backing off full throttle ( is this the 'backlash' I've read about ) is this something to worry about and can you cure this?

Cheers Guys

Just so that people can read it  

I had the same on my reverse box and actually decided to swap it rather than rebuild it and am really pleased. No backlash at all and the gear changes are really crisp. Plus for the limited number of times I need reverse the electric one does the job great  

As far as worst job on a Westie - my vote is for the routing of the wires through the roll bar for a high level brake light! Not hard to do just b****y frustrating trying to get the wires to feed round the bar (I ended up having to use cotton first and then wire   )

Never doing that again!

[Buzz Billsberry]

Bottom manifold exhaust bolts on V8  both banks with engine installed the front near & off  side bolts 20mins of tigthning and the 2 above th starter, if you take the starter off then its a b*****d getting the top bolt to start! you need hands lthe size of a 3 year old....a great afternoon of laying on your back! NOT

Buzz

[Barry Ashcroft]

Another vote for V8 headers  

[JeffC]

Hi Jeff,

on the gearbox subject mine is leaking oil and can be a real t*#t to change drive direction. As a reslult I have decided to have it stipped down and rebuilt to see if this cures the problem.

I have recieved a new set of seals and nuts ( £12 each nut!! ) and I am still waiting for new flanges which are on back order. In your experience is this likely to cure the problem, how long is it likely to last betwean re-builds and do you have any tips on completing the job?

On a seperate subject ( I think or is this related? ) I have a vibration/knocking which seems to come from the transmission ( feels like the props? ) at speeds above 80mph. This is amplified when above 80mph  and backing off full throttle ( is this the 'backlash' I've read about ) is this something to worry about and can you cure this?

Cheers Guys

Ive just resealed mine (£2.00 per seal) I reused the nuts as I remember only too well what westfield charged for them last time   the noise you are grtting will prob be the 32mm nuts coming loose on the flange, Ive used daddy strength Locktite on all bolts inc spring washers on the prop bolts. this should sort it (did on last car) best advice is check it every trackday, just grab the prop and make sure its still tight  

also worth checking the drive flange on the gearbos hasnt worked loose, Ive had that before too      

[BuGsBuNnY]

On a seperate subject ( I think or is this related? ) I have a vibration/knocking which seems to come from the transmission ( feels like the props? ) at speeds above 80mph. This is amplified when above 80mph  and backing off full throttle ( is this the 'backlash' I've read about ) is this something to worry about and can you cure this?

Cheers Guys

Make sure all the bolts/nuts on the prop are tight. I had the same, only to find out that 3 bolts had dissapeared and the rest were about fingertight.

The reverse has a trick to get it to work smoothly, at least it did on mine. Engage neutral, flip the reverse lever half way, engae first let the clutch up smoothly and at the same time keep some pressure on the reverse lever and it clicks into place. Same to disengage reverse.

[gee_fin]

Removing/changing heavyweight shockproof diff oil with the diff in situ.

I now have a vacuum cleaner just for this purpose [+]

[Norman Verona]

All childsplay. If you want REALLY bad jobs try a starter motor on an MG A Twin Cam or the bottom speedo cable on a Mini.

Or an engine change on a Fiat Tempra Diesel

I'm still having nightmares about that.

Westfields and Caterhams are relatively easy.

Although getting the exhaust manifold nuts off before I went through the bonnet wasn't fun.

[Muttleys V8]

Another vote for V8 headers  

I remember, you gave that job for me to do!