I know we've taken ages to sort the axles but we now have the steel and are looking to manufacture them very shortly. We just need to know how many of you still want one (or two or three or more?) as we can then price them. Obviously the more we make the cheaper they will be proportionally. (Moneywise not length!) Seriously though we will keep the price down as much as possible and therefore the number we make will reflect in the price, it being more cost effective to do as many as possible. Just phone 07785574564/01440786325 (that number in the evening.) Or e-mail epona@hotmail.co.uk. Cheers Celia and Ian.
We are making the axle tube as per the de Dion. It will be made from 3.6mm wall cold drawn steel (seamless) which is considerably stronger than the present axles which appear to be made out of exhaust tube (??!!) Ian is making a jig so these can be converted to run Stag type bearing carriers and bearings with modified shafts. Or standard type for FIA race cars. The dearest part is to tool up to bend the tubes, Ian was quoted £250.00 18 months ago just to set the machine up NOT to also bend the tubes, that was extra. So consequently we will only be doing this once! So get your order in a.s.a.p. as if you want a tube at a later date you will have to pay the full price! As I said previously the more that are ordered the cheaper they will be.
Obviously if you order a tube and are thinking of having it made up at a later date that is no problem as Ian can do that when you want. He is NOT prepared to do a conversion on an original De Dion axle tube.
Get those orders coming in and we will contact everyone who showed an interest in the past. We will update you as soon as we know more. Celia and Ian
I'm interested certainly, funds permitting. All this other Peerless stuff I want/need is making things expensive. Looks like the Spitfire will have to be sold to allow me to finish my car to the standard I'm hoping for. The Stag carrier route makes sense though, good work.
I am getting closer to tearing the Peerless apart for restoration.
How would I check to see if I needed a repalcement tube? Should I be looking for accident damage or are there critical dimensions or wear areas that should catch my attention.
I would like to get in on the group purchase, if I need to... Of course simply having a spare of a rare unobtainable items might be a good reason to buy one just on it's own merit.
I am getting closer to tearing the Peerless apart for restoration.
How would I check to see if I needed a repalcement tube? Should I be looking for accident damage or are there critical dimensions or wear areas that should catch my attention.
I would like to get in on the group purchase, if I need to... Of course simply having a spare of a rare unobtainable items might be a good reason to buy one just on it's own merit.
Thanks,
Dean #213
Hi Dean,
The things to look out for is mainly corrosion. These tubes are over fifty years old and are not getting any stronger.
Not wishing to scare anyone as I'm sure for road use these will carry on giving good service.
Ian & Celia are the only owners that I know of that have managed to twist/shear one in half so far, and they do put a lot of strain/stress through them (and me!)
What we are attempting to do here is to get the central tube cut and bent for a group price.
Then when this is done the rebuilding/redesigning of the total unit can begin.
There are several ideas floating around. Some tube owners may take there tube and build them selves, other may get Ian to build one for them. This will all be ironed out later.
Due to the ever dwindling supply of "good" bearings we are all looking for alternative designs to keep these cars on the road/track.
I strongly advise that if you rebuild your existing de Dion (and the main tube is not too rusty) in the conventional way you either re use your bearings (if serviceable) or you go on the hunt and secure good stock before you reassemble.
I have had three major collapsed bearing/hub incidents since running my car on the road. I suspect that I have used far eastern crap bearings but there also seems to be a great deal of guess work in the reassembly setting of these hubsand quite frankly Ive had enough of hauling the whole thing out every time it fails.
To be able to unbolt a hub and replace with one off the shelf in an afternoon is very appealing!
Just in case you all thought we'd emigrated we have everything ready to make the axles except the specialist tool (now now Nigel!) Which arrived without two of it's main components. They are being chased up , but whereas we had hoped to convey said axles to the forthcoming 'bash' we will have to get them to you all later. Sorry but for once we are ready and others aren't, (or their tools, careful now!!) See you Saturday. Celia and Ian
