Taking the Front Wheels Off

[DCPU]

So today I took the front wheels off to have a look around:


But before I did, I thought I'd try and establish a baseline for backlash in the front differential/halfshafts/hubs. I got @ 20mm at the wheels before I could see the front propshaft turn. I tried later using just the brake disk and got @ 10mm between what i took to be the the disk and the differential:




Wheel speed sensor comes up through the axle/hub:


Surprising how late the hoses were made given a build date of 3rd Jan, but these may have been replacement ones following the know issues:



I wonder why this wasn't capped off at each end?

 

[DCPU]

The rear cover to the oil cooler came off with 5 x T40 screws and a couple of plastic fir trees along the top edge:


I'm almost certain that this is not the oil cooler for the transfer case (that's on the opposite side); so assume this is for the engine oil (I don't recall reading anything about it having one?). It seems especially vulnerable as it's just surrounded with plastic:


I was surprised at seeing there's a fan on the back, and then surprised again given that the main engine fan is from SPAL, and this one is marked General Cab, Italy(?):


There's a much better view of that curiously blanked off 10 way connector:


And a decent view into the back of the Nolden LED light housing:



And what looks like one of the horns:

 

[CountyV8]

Had to take my rear off today in anger first puncture

 

[DCPU]

I was surprised to see that top hose was unsupported between the two red lines and in the area of the blue circle they touched and there was potential for rubbing:

 

[Tazzieman]

in the area of the blue circle they touched and there was potential for rubbing:

In the fullness of time I'll be going all over and under and sorting any of these little potentials for trouble. For me it's part of the vehicle "getting to know you" and bonding with the idiosyncrasies.
.
Ironically , the rubber is rubbing

 

[DCPU]

Not much space behind the front skid tray - if it dints, it's likely to take out what looks like a plastic elbow on radiator:


Couldn't make out any minimum thickness details:

 

[DCPU]

Leading edges of both track rod end shields(?) showing signs of flaking paint and corrosion:

 

[DCPU]

Front axle diff locking arrangements are different from the rear, where the cables go in direct through the top:

Not too happy to see the cable riding on the ridge in the axle or the initial bend radius on the cable:


Or indeed it potentially fouling the front diff breather, which is marked with the name Nostrali:

Nostrali

www.nostrali.it

 

[DCPU]

Confirmation I have Sachs shocks - I see the latest TFL video is still quoting Bilsteins for the US market:

 

[DCPU]

Can anyone explain why you'd build a platform for the bump stop but have it so far off centre?

 

[Jean Mercier]

@DCPU you are doing a terrific useful fantastic exceptional amazing delightful job ... ok, English isn't my native language, I'll stop here.

Thanks!

 

[DCPU]

In the fullness of time I'll be going all over and under and sorting any of these little potentials for trouble. For me it's part of the vehicle "getting to know you" and bonding with the idiosyncrasies.
.
Ironically , the rubber is rubbing

Yes, once all this is documented, I'll be going back to sort by double wrapping/sleeving most of these contact points with off cuts of old pipe. Was I expecting too much for at least some of these things to not be necessary in a vehicle built on purpose? They all look like highly predictable points of failure - relatively high liklihood and consequence very severe.

 

[Heater]

So today I took the front wheels off to have a look around:
View attachment 7815840

But before I did, I thought I'd try and establish a baseline for backlash in the front differential/halfshafts/hubs. I got @ 20mm at the wheels before I could see the front propshaft turn. I tried later using just the brake disk and got @ 10mm between what i took to be the the disk and the differential:
View attachment 7815841

View attachment 7815842View attachment 7815844View attachment 7815843

Wheel speed sensor comes up through the axle/hub:
View attachment 7815845View attachment 7815846

Surprising how late the hoses were made given a build date of 3rd Jan, but these may have been replacement ones following the know issues:
View attachment 7815847
View attachment 7815848

I wonder why this wasn't capped off at each end?
View attachment 7815849

Just about all you point out is disturbing considering the design, cost and reliability aspects. I design high-end aircraft for my profession. I scrutinize every detail. I have to wonder if the rush to market goal supersedes engineering board review and quality assurance, and this applies to your previous posts of findings. Thank you for your diligence.

 

[DCPU]

Yesterday, I took the cover off the nearside (RHD) oil cooler. I believe this one serves the Tremec transfer case. No fan on this one:


Slightly odd pipe routing and another opportunity for hose to hose contact, this time metal to metal:


I assume this has forced itself out of the fixing hole as the bend/pressure in the loom means it's never going to stay in place:


There's good access to the indicator light in the bumper wing end:


Another view of the radiator hose lower elbow - I hadn't noticed from the other side that it's not located in the clip, and I'm not sure it actually will locate there:


The 2nd horn, so that's one on each side:


Oh, and I joined the small club of people who have broken something on their vehicle:

 

[DCPU]

For those asking about the adjustable steering lock stops on the front axle:


Front offside wheel on full lock:


And front nearside lock stop on full lock. You have to look closely as the flash has picked up the flat edge of the bolt; it is in fact a domed head and is making contact with the stop - so there's no further adjustment available there:

 

[DCPU]

Looking inside the front of the knuckle and a view of the universal joint:


You can see where the wheel speed sensor comes in the top and then exists out the side:


And the view with opposite lock from the rear:

 

[DCPU]

I'm not a fan of sliding calipers, but I'll never say it's not big enough to do the job:

 

[DCPU]

An interesting difference between the engine oil cooler having plastic ends crimped on, and the transfer case oil cooler having fully welded metal ends:

 

[DCPU]

Post above - (I can't edit due to 5 min restriction policy): "And front nearside lock stop on full lock. You have to look closely as the flash has picked up the flat edge of the bolt; it is in fact a domed head and is making contact with the stop - so there's no further adjustment available there."

There is of course a good few mm adjustment by turning the bolt in - at least until it bottoms out!!!

 

[Hicarus]

From the picture in DCPU's post 16 in this thread, it looks as though the front drive swivels are double carden joints and not constant velocity joints as I'd expected.
The steering stops will be set conservatively by Ineos at a point where the angular velocity changes* from the double carden set up will not intrude to the steering feel at the wheel. that means there should be some slack for adjustment to improve the turning circle. the stops are 12x1.5mm bolts (19mm head) so one rev (6 flats) inwards will allow a couple of degrees greater angle improvement for the wheel. being too enthusiastic will make the angular velocity changes noticeable at the steering wheel at full or near full lock & result in transmission damage if left. Mild adjustment should have no bad consequences.
* Who recals the steering shake on Series in 4wd and full lock? that was single carden velocity change.