Don:
You're using the least joyful method of dust cap removal. For more fun you
should consider the Red Green method. Go down to the local fireworks
manufacturer and pick up a case of "Burning Schoolhouse" fireworks. Discard the
schoolhouse casing and scrape out all the black powder from the tube inside.
4-5 schoolhouses should give you a nice little pile of powder teh size of a
golf ball. Drill out the dust cap hole to 3/16" and use a paper twist funnel to
pipe in the powder until the bearing cavity is nice and full. Insert the fuse
from one of the fireworks. Light and step back. In fact step back outside the
garage, close the door and stick your fingers in your ears as this part can be
a little loud. After your hearing has returned (if you forgot the fingers) and
the cap has stopped richocheting from the garage walls (15-20 times) you should
have a nicely cleaned out bearing space and the old grease will have been
completely vapourised.
On second thought, I think your approach might be best. ;^)
Cheers,
Mark
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-6pack@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-6pack@autox.team.net]On
Behalf Of Don Malling
Sent: Monday, March 07, 2005 2:11 PM
To: 6-Pack; triumphs@autox.team.net
Subject: TR front axle dust cap removal
Removing the TR's dust cap.....
This is the second time I've been through this.
Last time, I tried a self threading screw (10-32 I think) through the dust cap
hole. I just ripped
the threads out of the hole. Then I bought a small body-work slide hammer with
a sheet metal screw
through the hole. Again, just ripped the threads out of the hole. I finally
resorted to a screw
driver and a hammer. Drove the screw driver through the side of the dust cap
and pried it off.
The hammer and screw driver works well but the replacement dust caps are kind'a
cheesy compared to
the originals. I plan to weld a nut on the inside of the replacement cap, but
it sure seems there
should be some non-destructive way to remove a dust cap.
I guess there's one good thing about the demise of Triumph. The guy that
designed a dust cap w/o a
pry off lip, lost his job. Too bad he took everyone else with him :-)
Soaking in PB Blaster now... Frustrated... Can you tell???
Don Malling
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