700 mile Pootle...

[Pootle's Owner]

Hello all. We have just returned to Surrey after a 700 mile round trip to the Lake District. We had plenty of 'weather' but no significant Commer problems. No oil or water needed and engine ran very well. The overdrive packed up towards the end of the trip - relay clicks OK but solenoid doesn't so either relay contacts burned or a wire dropped off probably! Only other issue noted is a slight 'clunk' from left steering when manouvering at low speed- sounds like a ball joint perhaps? Are steering bearings and joins available? Are there any common failure parts on steering?

 

[Panky]

Excellent. We recently did a 500 miler with no problems at all, very satisfying
All the steering components are available from Speedy Spares of Brighton so you shouldn't have a problem with spares. Ball joint (and there are a lot of them on a Commer) seem to last well - the more common wear points are the king pins and relay/intermediate lever bushes and pins but are also available.

 

[Pootle's Owner]

Excellent stuff thanks Panky.
Does anyone have views/experience of replacing/improving the seal on the engine cover. The rubber on Pootle is pretty shagged and needs some attention so probably needs a replacement....

 

[Panky]

The last ones I got were off Martin and were the correct profile, not sure if he has any left. Failing that a strip of high density foam should do the trick.

 

[Pootle's Owner]

Will look further into seals thanks. I sorted the overdrive after work tonight. Problem was dirty contacts inside the solenoid so the pull-in coil wasn't powering. Stripped the whole solenoid down, cleaned and greased it all up with a new power wire and Robert's your mother's brother. Zero cost and minimal swearing!