Rich H

It's pickling now. Couldn't get Caustic soda but got oven cleaner instead, it's NaOH. The ali is merrily fizzing away just suspect it's not quite as concentrated as it could be. Ah well it'll just take longer.

Thanks guys - I've ordered all the required bits washers, nuts, etc and will get the caustic to work tonight. Few hours work (and checmical reactions) plus oil change and I'll be running again. Cheers Rich

That will be athe next option if the caustic fails for any reason Cheers Rich

Nice one thanks guys - Will give it a go.

Hi guys, been a while. Not long put the Esprit back on the road and I've got a rather large problem... it's sprung a rather large leak from the OS oil cooler (It's had a damp patch for a while) so I decided to remove it and replace... but both fittings have snapped off leaving ali stubs in the pipe nuts. They are stuck fast and I can't shift them at all. The lower one rotates but as there is nothing to grip it just spins. The upper one has a longer stub but the ali nut (that was part of the cooler) is too soft to grip. Usually I'de just heat them up but obviously this will damage the hoses. any ideas on how to remove them? Or a work around? Thanks Rich

Thanks guys, Ordered some new bearigns form a reputable supplier so should be sorted now thanks! Discovered that my discs are knackered now too (WTL) so need a pair of them too. But while it's in bits I might change the ball joints, and TRE and ARB bushes and and and....

Nice one thanks! It looks like I have S1 bearings I reckon. Going to order some proper ones now! Cheers for the help! Rich

Thanks, I'm not sure what I've got but they are definately too small for the hubs!

Hello all, Hopefully someone can help! I need a new set of front wheel bearings... I've got a new pair of bearings allegedly for S4 but they are far too small. Are the bearings different for Brembo/non-Brembo brakes? Thanks Rich

Read the SA CAA report. The UK CAA would not allow it to fly in the UK due to it's in-service safety record. They applied to fly ZU-BEX down to SA but weren't allowed. Noise would have been a problem too but could have been managed as necessary.

The CAA report is very damning of the Thunder City organisation There is a lightning being put back together in the US slowly but I suspect it'll never get clearance as a result of ZU-BEX. They were lethal enough in the hands of the RAF with proper maintenace organisations.

Periscope along the wall would be ace. Made a little one the other day

Nice work!

Nail a mirror up anyway...