A selection of questions (steering, speed and rust)

[Simon]

Hello all,

I am new on here and according to my friends i am mental as i bought the Rascal (that is my profile picture) about 2 weeks ago. On the way home from buying it the carb went and i broke down. A long story short is that the garage fixed that and now it runs fine.

My main question having never owned a car/van/Rascal before is about the steering. I'm used to power steering so don't know what to expect but i am finding the steering is quite floaty on the van. At low speeds it is fine, but at high speeds (well, 60mph) it can be a bit scarey. The steering wheel can be turned a bit before the wheels turn on the van. I'm guessing this isn't normal and any movement on the steering wheel should be instantly seen on the front wheels?

Someone else mentioned somewhere that this could mean i need the front bushes replacing, but i wouldn't know. I'm trying to learn as much as i can, but living in London and only having on street parking does limit the tinkering i can do.

Another thing is a small rusty line on my roof i need to get looked at asap. Any help on how to fix it would be great. I have also a bit of rust round the bottom hold that the aerial slots into. How best to fix that?

Can you replace the bottom lip under the front bumper or is it all part of the main front of the van, as that is my main concern when it comes to rust?

Also can you lot help me check a few things in the van since i have just bought it? Should i just take it and have a full service now to be on the safe side? It has done 400 miles or so in the last three years and been sat in a garage, so it should be ok now the carb got cleaned and stripped.

Also, it is a 1991 H reg, so should i not expect it to go over 60 withouth making a fuss. Not having a rev counter, i am conscienous of hammering it.

Bascially, i have never owned a car, always wanted a Rascal and went and bought one. Now i am doing all the things i should have done before getting it, such as checking stuff out.

I'm going on now so will stop, as this isn't really the best structured post of questions!

I also need to wire up a stereo, but body work/ engine/ steerting checks in my first priority.

Sorry for the long, rambling post.

Simon

Edit - Here is a link to a high res picture of my van: http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/3759/imag0031d.jpg

[AndyP]

"Also, it is a 1991 H reg, so should i not expect it to go over 60 withouth making a fuss. Not having a rev counter, i am conscienous of hammering it."

Hi, you have to remember it has a very small engine and the aerodynamics of a brick lol. Personally I cruise between 55-65mph and only nipp up to 70mph when overtaking slower vehicles Ferraris/Porches etc  Its a great little engine and quite simple to maintain and service, treat it with sympathy and also get yourself a manual.
If you want someone to give it the once over for you, I believe Derek/ Dellboy lives up your neck of the woods and deals in these vehicles

Happy Rascaling
Andy

[Simon]

Hi Andy,

Cheers for the tips. Thankfully i didn't get it for a speed machine, and as the top speed being 60 isn't a problem. I do seem to need to get it into 4th by about 30 though, is that normal?

Getting someone who owns a Rascal to have a poke about with it would be a great idea so will contact DellBoy and see what he says

I've also got a Haynes for it and had a bit of a poke about in the engine and checked all the water, oil, brake fluid levels already and had a very vague look at the engine. I'm happy to get my hands dirty if need be as (as you say) its quite a simple little engine to get my head around.

Any ideas about the steering problem i mention? Is the steering meant to be quite loose or is this something i need to get looked at asap?

[AndyP]

Hiya, they do seem to have short gears and you do need to change up quickly. I always listen to the engine note when changing gear and never thrash it between.
Judging by your description of the slack in your steering! It sound like you have quite some wear in it, could be worn track rod ends or the rack itself? Mine since ive owned it sounds like someone chewing a rubber band when turning the steering without moving off. I know it needs a bush on the main pivot point as I saw it breaking up and hanging out when I was under the van the other week! It is stable when driving, but is on my list of things to do 

[Simon]

Well the steering is my main concern for obvious reasons (my legs being the crumple zone!!) so will look to get that looked into. Dellboy again is the best person to ask do you think or is this something any garage can have a look at?

[AndyP]

I NEVER take my vehicles to Garage's Ive worked in the trade and am too wary of being stitched up by unscruplous erberts! Plus I dont earn the hourly rates at which they charge so Ive learnt to do all the work myself.
Derek isn't a million miles from you, well London ish! He certainly knows his way around these Vans and im sure he will help you out 

[Simon]

I've just noticed on it too that when the side lights are on both the front and the back light doesn't come on.

Having looked in my Haynes for the van i am guessing the (hoping) the fuse has gone?

If so, i can just buy a large pack from Halfords and change it while the engine is off, or do i need to remove the negative from the battery first?

[>>CHOP<<]

hi the strrering center pivot arm bush is probebly worn ..i replaced mine a few months ago its alot better now....



hope this helps ...i think dell may have some arms with new bushes fitted...

[Turnip lover]

Try and avoid Halfords like the plague.  Find an automotive parts place instead as it will save you pounds.  Things like fuses, batteries and oil are almost double at Halfords.  Try somewhere like Unipart or Euro car parts.  Switch off your ignition and take a look through your fuses, it should be clear which, if any, have gone. Do it one at a time so you remember where they've come from.    Looks like you have a nice little project on your hands though!

Matt

[Pirate]

As you are unfamiliar with your rascal, have a good read through your haynes manual & get to know it.
They are a simple little vehicle & with no nasty engine management electronics to deal with 
As said, NEVER go to a garage, they will usually charge you a fortune & possibly rip you off as well!
As for the gearbox, i also change in to 4th at around 30mph & 5th around 40!
I think 70 is thrashing it, i usually stick to 55/60.
They are a great little van, i always wanted one, now i have 2 

[AndyP]

Halfords dont tend to stock anything for Rascals, Ive managed to get a dizzy cap and rotor arm off them and I pick up all my oils and fluids from them. They are expensive, but luckily I have a trade account with them and the savings on service items is very good. Example 1 x pack of 2 indicator bulbs £2.99 to general public! 40p to me  Similar discounts can be found on Batterys Oils Wiper blades etc etc.
For specific parts I search the internet/E-Bay or contact local autofactors.

[Simon]

I've just noticed on it too that when the side lights are on both the front and the back light doesn't come on.

Having looked in my Haynes for the van i am guessing the (hoping) the fuse has gone?

If so, i can just buy a large pack from Halfords and change it while the engine is off, or do i need to remove the negative from the battery first?

I'm guessing this will be perfectly fine:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toolzone-120pc-Mini-Blade-Fuses/dp/B002NH3Z50/ref=reg_hu-wl_mrai-recs

[AndyP]

When visiting local scrap yards you will find an abundance of cars with fuses still in situe and Bulbs for that matter 

[Simon]

I'll have to investigate the scrap yards around my way. I didn't buy the van as a project, i bought it as i have always wanted one, and thought what better car to buy for my first car than a Rascal

[Simon]

Right, since the attempted theft of the van i have seen Derek and he has sorted out my front bush and the patches of rush amongst other things (although my arches still need doing as well).

I've been very reassuring having Derek have a look at so I know I am not driving a dead trap on wheels.

All this leaves me to fiddle with cosmetic bits and pieces inside the van, and also to get a stereo in and installed.