Ricky the vario

[macplaxton]

Just swap in a new diaphragm.


Primary Unit Diaphragms Perished by macplaxton, on Flickr

And remember to mark the cover(s) before removal to maintain balance.

[volvomania]

....and keep the old ones for a refurb.

[classicswede]

Where can I get them from? RJ do you keep them in stock?

[classicswede]

Today has been another day playing under Ricky.

The downpipe needed a bit of welding where the two go into one.

I took the transmission cover off to see what things were like under there. Both diaphrams have gone in the primary unit, my spare unit is ok so I will probably just swap for now and rebuild the original one. The belts were slack and after adjusting them it does drive better and not revving as high. A lot of the bolts etc look like they want replacing a full rebuild is on the cards.

To think my plan was to pull out the vario system and convert to manual if anything went wrong with it and now I'm going to be rebuilding it.

[volvomania]

Give me a buzz will you.

[classicswede]

Just a quick update.

I have been sorting out some rebuilt bits to fit to Ricky over the winter months but Ricky has been out traveling

Last week doing some "local" sight seeing



On the way to Scotland yesterday



and outside Sweetheart Abbey today

[MCHUDD]

Hi mate.
Ricky looks great beside that Abby.
Boy, i just love old things
Cheers Mark.

[classicswede]

I do also love old things be it a car building machinery or almost anything else.

[classicswede]

One of things that had been bugging me about Ricky is the soggy front springs that had gone very soft to the point that hit any little bump and its on the bumpstops.

The best option was to start rebuilding a replacement set of struts (thanks madseb)

The spring cups were in a bad way and the bearing were totally past it and worn through







As I have changed to a bearing top mount that I had knocking about the cups were welded up and a thick washer welded in to strengthen them up.





There was also a fair bit of grot around the lower spring cup that had to be cleaned out and some welding to build it back up. While I was at it I decided to brace up the struts.







The bracing pieces were trimmed down for tyre clearance and everything given a goog coat of underseal. It might not look pretty but I am only interested in stopping things from rusting not winning a BKV







I will get some pictures showing Ricky sitting back at the correct ride height.

next job to complete the strut rebuild will be the brake upgrade and that is why the calipers were not done at the same time.

[trabitom99]

That's looking good Dai ...

Cheers

Tom

[classicswede]

Ricky is now sitting better and no hitting the bump stops or tyre scraping. The front end is still a little lower than the back, I prefer a little bit of rake.





Needs a good clean now and get the LPG sorted asap

[Chris_C]

I'd forgotten what the arch gap is like on non GLT, non comp, non knackered, just working standard suspension!

[classicswede]

And as much as I love a lowered car I am keeping Ricky as close to original ride as possible. The front springs are a lot stiffer and running on adjustable fronts, I'm not sure if I want to put the coilovers on the back or not just yet. I will have to see how it feels with a full tank of gas in the back but with my tool boxes in the back it still sits right so think the springs are good enough on their own

[baron_matt]

Hi

just started another thread as I might have the same issue on my 340 re front suspension. Any help / tips appreciated.

[classicswede]

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