Spa Classic 2019 and lost wheel

A trip to Spa classic went well along with a fun track lap session.

We went all the way there and almost got home without a mishap.
but a short way from home I felt a vibration starting so slowed down to investigate.







Slowly exiting the motorway I slightly applied the brake and suddenly the rear wheel flew past me into the bushes. Releasing the brake then allowed the drum to detach as well.

Fortunately all was at very slow speeds.







After investigation it seems this wheel hub had shorter studs than all the others!
Long studs are hard to find. and standard ones are definitely not suitable for alloy wheels.
Picture shows (left to right)
standard, "as-fitted", desired length, ebay sourced long stud.






A hub puller was obtained and as the studs are not able to be replaced without removing the hub.

The hub wasn't coming off easily. but eventually it released.
The new studs all fitted ok.

The other side refuses to come off so will need to be removed with halfshaft and taken to a press.

Subframe mods and alloys

I bought a subrame - complete with everything except the steering box and wheels.

VERY rusty but the subframe itself looks in better condition than mine.

Also all the parts fitted are the maintenance free type from series 4 onwards.

I might refurbish this one complete to install on the series 3 with all new bushes and springs.

The upper wishbones are proving difficult to release!

The original engine mounts need to be cut off and the new engine mounts welded in place only once the engine has been test fitted in situ.



The lovely sunbeam came with a set of alloy wheels.
I don't like the look of them but having realised that some vibration I was experiencing at 60-70 mph was caused by a flat spot on a rear tyre, I fitted them to test.

The handling has been transformed. Straight line is more stable, steering is much lighter. Wish I'd done it before. I would prefer a set of minilites. So will get some for next year.