Engineers Corner

After finishing the front suspension we tasked our self with the renewal of the fuel tank straps. This bus has two separate tanks which both needed removal as the supporting brackets were rusted through as well as the straps. After removal it was decided to renew the outer tank brackets but we managed to salvage…

 R792 DHB Volvo b10m Both front suspension air bags perished. We had to jack bus body up, deflate bags, remove air filter ducting, pull bags out. We renewed the bags, pistons and top plates as badly corroded, to refit we had to remove front wheels, shock absorber top mounting bolts to get axle down lower…

The rear suspension torsion bar metalastic bushes were worn. We removed the torsion bar from the bus and cut out the old bushes. We are now trying to source new ones.

258 left pit today after a lot of mechanical work had been completed, a service and pre MOT check was also carried out. Some seat cushions now need to be re trimmed and a thorough clean of the bus before a mot test.

More progress on 258. The front doors were not opening properly so the fault was traced to the operating valve in the destination box which was leaking air. We had to modify a Dennis dart valve of which we had a good one in stock by altering the pipework to fit. This done we then…

Having got the right parts, Bob and Mike set about reassembling the compressor and fitting it back into 258. Below is a photo of all the parts on the table prior to being put back into the vehicle. The pink gasket near the camera was the gasket we had trouble sourcing. Below is a photo…

While awaiting new parts for 25′ s compressor we made a new strap for the exhaust silencer heat shield which had been remade a while ago but not secured to bus.

A job that has been put off for a while was eventually tackled this weekend. Ex Cardiff Lynx (258) has had a compressor head gasket air leak which results in it taking awhile for the vehicle to build up air pressure. This is not a very pleasant job as access to the compressor is not…

Ex Cardiff dart 184 on pit this weekend, Mike Bishop and Bob Sparks removed the engine side cover which was leaking oil badly. Not a pleasant job as a lot of components including the fuel pump had to be removed to access the offending cover. Luckily Mike B had done a few of these in…

N143 PTG (Optare Metrorider). When we replaced the throttle pedal unit we found that the brake foot valve was badly corroded. As part of our preventative maintenance we decided to order a new valve and this has been fitted this weekend. 143 is now a fully operational vehicle now.