My 88in Trialer

Recently purchased 88in trialler, based on Range Rover running gear - 3.5l V8 fuel injected with auto gear box and borg-warner transfer box. This photo taken at pay-n-play day - our first time on the rough stuff in it - pretty pleased with it but need to get a smaller steering wheel as my leg gets in the way (yes, that's my knee sticking up above the door) and I now ned to replace steering drop arm to drag link ball joint as there is too much play in it!

First step of ball joint replacement - first time I've split one! Now working on freeing the circlip underneath!

Circlip underneath?

Yup, ruddy thing refuses to release can get both thends to move with circlip pliers but the rest of the ring won't shift. Any ideas? Have been drenching it in WD40!

oops

I normally end up grinding the circlip plier tips so that they have a very slight hook, or reverse flair on them. That lets me pull as well as squeezing.

Failing that, it's then working round gently with a small screwdriver once one end is clear of the groove.

tap the eye on each end towards the middle then prise it out, you will need a new circlip after ,circlips have tapered holes the smallest side goes to the pliers

jamesmartin said:

tap the eye on each end towards the middle then prise it out, you will need a new circlip after ,circlips have tapered holes the smallest side goes to the pliers

Click to expand...

Looks like he has tapped the lower eye and it has split ...

Dippypud said:

Looks like he has tapped the lower eye and it has split ...

Click to expand...

theres still enough to curl it round

Fortunately my pliers still engaged in the holes Eventually managed to get the thing apart after reviewing Busters notes on here!

Having got the ball joint almost sorted, I managed to open the spring gaiter that secures the boot guess it might be possible to reconnect it but to be safe I've ordered a second kit of parts locally to help me complete the job by the weekend.

Richard Stone,

Well worth getting a disco drop arm and new matching track rod if you plan on trialling a lot. Are you competing with Breckland LRC? We were there a couple of years ago at the Construction College Great site for the Nationals.

Hello jai-landrover, you are not the first person to suggest the Disco swap, will keep my eyes open for the parts! Yes I'm with Breckland, have been entering Tyro's so far, if I get it finished will be entering my first CCV on Sunday.

Sounds good! CCV are great I've driven a few in others vehicles. I'm with Anglian LRC. They're all a good bunch!

Are you hoping to get to the Nationals next yet down the south coast?? If so will see you there!!

Regards

Jai

Jai, think I need a bit more experience before I inflict the nationals with my presence ;-)

Having picked up another ball joint kit earlier today just for the gaiter I'm pleased to report it's all sorted now

Sweet.

and Nonsense!! everyone was a beginner and just because its the nationals means nothing. Not for the experienced guys its for everyone. and If you keep your motor running and finnish all the sections no way will you come last!!

On both occasions I've taken the trialer out to play I've ended up stalling whilst attempting steep, long climbs. I thought it was me, but on inspection of the fuel system it seems the in-line electric fuel pump near the fuel tank is only getting +12volts whilst the starter button is held in. That cannot be right surely? I'd expect it to get +12v all the time the ignition is switched on? If I temporarily give it +12v direct from the battery I can clearly see the fuel is coming back via the return pipe.

You should hear it ticking, is it efi or carbs??

Assuming carbs, pull off a spare white ign live wire and run that to the pump.

J

It's efi, I turned on the isolator and ignition but didn't start engine, no +12v at pump. Does the "brain" turn it on and off then?