Bentley Turbo R - My Passion
Discussion
I dropped in on this thread by chance, I must say it is good to hear of an old car being tended properly.
Too many owners cannot be bothered and employ the too common "ignore servicing until an expensive problem pops up then sell on"method, that hastens the decline of expensive to run luxury cars.
I've seen too many vehicles that have become uneconomic to repair because trivial faults have been ignored until there were too many to tackle. Blocked sunroof or plenum drains, old coolant and neglected auto transmissions being the usual suspects.
I really feel for the OP having to part with Hatty and so glad she has gone to a caring new owner.
Too many owners cannot be bothered and employ the too common "ignore servicing until an expensive problem pops up then sell on"method, that hastens the decline of expensive to run luxury cars.
I've seen too many vehicles that have become uneconomic to repair because trivial faults have been ignored until there were too many to tackle. Blocked sunroof or plenum drains, old coolant and neglected auto transmissions being the usual suspects.
I really feel for the OP having to part with Hatty and so glad she has gone to a caring new owner.
Hatty's first long road trip.
Myself, Kerry and a very good friend Nick all left for Spa Francorchamp last Wednesday. I was competing in the Spa Six Hour Endurance race in a 1965 2 litre 911. First race since May of last year so at the very least I got to actually compete in one event this year.
Hatty was fairly well laden with all the kit we took with us.
A problem I felt the other week on a trip up to Silverstone to drive the 911 for the first time. She is steering from the rear. More noticeable with all the extra weight she was carrying. I do not know how the axle is located but I'm guessing we have some worn bushes somewhere. Also a slight clonk I get from the drivetrain has got worse. Maybe related but feels more like wiplash in the differential.
Then disaster. We left the circuit Friday night and within a couple of hundred yards we had some nasty screeching noises. Initially I thought gearbox. Pulled over switched her off and then back on in park. Power steering. Damit. So we made our way back to the hotel and lost the power steering on route. Reservoir empty. The following morning a friend gave us a lift to a motor factors to buy some Dexron 11. Refilled the reservoir and started to lock to lock the steering to blead it out. Fluid just poured out from the drivers side gaitor on the rack.
So Hatty is stuck somewhere in Belgium awaiting the RAC to repatriate her back to the UK. Up to 14 working days. C'est la vie.
So it looks like I have a still to do list. Keep smiling as it was a bloody good weekend otherwise
Myself, Kerry and a very good friend Nick all left for Spa Francorchamp last Wednesday. I was competing in the Spa Six Hour Endurance race in a 1965 2 litre 911. First race since May of last year so at the very least I got to actually compete in one event this year.
Hatty was fairly well laden with all the kit we took with us.
A problem I felt the other week on a trip up to Silverstone to drive the 911 for the first time. She is steering from the rear. More noticeable with all the extra weight she was carrying. I do not know how the axle is located but I'm guessing we have some worn bushes somewhere. Also a slight clonk I get from the drivetrain has got worse. Maybe related but feels more like wiplash in the differential.
Then disaster. We left the circuit Friday night and within a couple of hundred yards we had some nasty screeching noises. Initially I thought gearbox. Pulled over switched her off and then back on in park. Power steering. Damit. So we made our way back to the hotel and lost the power steering on route. Reservoir empty. The following morning a friend gave us a lift to a motor factors to buy some Dexron 11. Refilled the reservoir and started to lock to lock the steering to blead it out. Fluid just poured out from the drivers side gaitor on the rack.
So Hatty is stuck somewhere in Belgium awaiting the RAC to repatriate her back to the UK. Up to 14 working days. C'est la vie.
So it looks like I have a still to do list. Keep smiling as it was a bloody good weekend otherwise
graemel said:
Hatty's first long road trip.
Myself, Kerry and a very good friend Nick all left for Spa Francorchamp last Wednesday. I was competing in the Spa Six Hour Endurance race in a 1965 2 litre 911. First race since May of last year so at the very least I got to actually compete in one event this year.
Hatty was fairly well laden with all the kit we took with us.
A problem I felt the other week on a trip up to Silverstone to drive the 911 for the first time. She is steering from the rear. More noticeable with all the extra weight she was carrying. I do not know how the axle is located but I'm guessing we have some worn bushes somewhere. Also a slight clonk I get from the drivetrain has got worse. Maybe related but feels more like wiplash in the differential.
Then disaster. We left the circuit Friday night and within a couple of hundred yards we had some nasty screeching noises. Initially I thought gearbox. Pulled over switched her off and then back on in park. Power steering. Damit. So we made our way back to the hotel and lost the power steering on route. Reservoir empty. The following morning a friend gave us a lift to a motor factors to buy some Dexron 11. Refilled the reservoir and started to lock to lock the steering to blead it out. Fluid just poured out from the drivers side gaitor on the rack.
So Hatty is stuck somewhere in Belgium awaiting the RAC to repatriate her back to the UK. Up to 14 working days. C'est la vie.
So it looks like I have a still to do list. Keep smiling as it was a bloody good weekend otherwise
A sudden worsening of a drive line clonk may indicate the prop-shaft or drive shaft bolts have loosened. Both were quite common on these cars and I have seen a number of prop-shafts that have actually come up through the transmission tunnel. They are well contained and only the drive flange breaks through but in each case a significant amount of damage was done. I can only imagine the noise when the ultimate failure happened.Myself, Kerry and a very good friend Nick all left for Spa Francorchamp last Wednesday. I was competing in the Spa Six Hour Endurance race in a 1965 2 litre 911. First race since May of last year so at the very least I got to actually compete in one event this year.
Hatty was fairly well laden with all the kit we took with us.
A problem I felt the other week on a trip up to Silverstone to drive the 911 for the first time. She is steering from the rear. More noticeable with all the extra weight she was carrying. I do not know how the axle is located but I'm guessing we have some worn bushes somewhere. Also a slight clonk I get from the drivetrain has got worse. Maybe related but feels more like wiplash in the differential.
Then disaster. We left the circuit Friday night and within a couple of hundred yards we had some nasty screeching noises. Initially I thought gearbox. Pulled over switched her off and then back on in park. Power steering. Damit. So we made our way back to the hotel and lost the power steering on route. Reservoir empty. The following morning a friend gave us a lift to a motor factors to buy some Dexron 11. Refilled the reservoir and started to lock to lock the steering to blead it out. Fluid just poured out from the drivers side gaitor on the rack.
So Hatty is stuck somewhere in Belgium awaiting the RAC to repatriate her back to the UK. Up to 14 working days. C'est la vie.
So it looks like I have a still to do list. Keep smiling as it was a bloody good weekend otherwise
Check each of the fixings and if any are loose, remove them and inspect the threads. If they look OK, replace and torque them up after applying blue Loctite to the threads.
The rear bushes hold up well but as the rear gas springs lose their nitrogen charge the rear suspension becomes hard. Rear steering is caused by the rear wheels hopping laterally as you corner. Gas springs are cheap to buy and to fit. Check by trying to bounce the rear with your knee on the rear section of the bumper 1/4 rubbers. If they are really bad you will even get the wheel to jump clear of the ground. The expected life of the gas springs was only four years. Check for another cause and particularly that the rear suspension is levelling to maintain the correct ride height. Gas spring issues were always common and, as the deterioration in handling was progressive, the driver may not even know depending on the roads he used.
These steering racks were pretty good however my experience with reconditioned racks (of many brands) however has been mixed.
Byteme said:
A sudden worsening of a drive line clonk may indicate the prop-shaft or drive shaft bolts have loosened. Both were quite common on these cars and I have seen a number of prop-shafts that have actually come up through the transmission tunnel. They are well contained and only the drive flange breaks through but in each case a significant amount of damage was done. I can only imagine the noise when the ultimate failure happened.
Check each of the fixings and if any are loose, remove them and inspect the threads. If they look OK, replace and torque them up after applying blue Loctite to the threads.
The rear bushes hold up well but as the rear gas springs lose their nitrogen charge the rear suspension becomes hard. Rear steering is caused by the rear wheels hopping laterally as you corner. Gas springs are cheap to buy and to fit. Check by trying to bounce the rear with your knee on the rear section of the bumper 1/4 rubbers. If they are really bad you will even get the wheel to jump clear of the ground. The expected life of the gas springs was only four years. Check for another cause and particularly that the rear suspension is levelling to maintain the correct ride height. Gas spring issues were always common and, as the deterioration in handling was progressive, the driver may not even know depending on the roads he used.
These steering racks were pretty good however my experience with reconditioned racks (of many brands) however has been mixed.
Many thanks for the inside info. It is really appreciated. I'll get Brian to check the propshaft and the drive shaft bolts. It is quite a deep clonk that made me think differential.Check each of the fixings and if any are loose, remove them and inspect the threads. If they look OK, replace and torque them up after applying blue Loctite to the threads.
The rear bushes hold up well but as the rear gas springs lose their nitrogen charge the rear suspension becomes hard. Rear steering is caused by the rear wheels hopping laterally as you corner. Gas springs are cheap to buy and to fit. Check by trying to bounce the rear with your knee on the rear section of the bumper 1/4 rubbers. If they are really bad you will even get the wheel to jump clear of the ground. The expected life of the gas springs was only four years. Check for another cause and particularly that the rear suspension is levelling to maintain the correct ride height. Gas spring issues were always common and, as the deterioration in handling was progressive, the driver may not even know depending on the roads he used.
These steering racks were pretty good however my experience with reconditioned racks (of many brands) however has been mixed.
The rear wheel steer is at motorway speeds. A little unnerving with gentle steering imputs required to avoid unsettling the car. The rear end self levels just fine. We had a lot of weight in the boot, roughly 120kg and she levelled out without a problem.
But I need to get Brian to check the wheel balance. Recently fitted new tyres and we were getting some vibration from the rear on the motorway that made me think we had lost some weights. However as you correctly say, worn dampers could be allowing the wheels to bounce that would also create a similar vibration.
What make of gas springs would you recommend as a replacement. I have noticed that when jacked up the rear shock absorbers leak a fair bit of fluid out of the gaitors. This perhaps confirms that they are past their sell by date ?.
graemel said:
Many thanks for the inside info. It is really appreciated. I'll get Brian to check the propshaft and the drive shaft bolts. It is quite a deep clonk that made me think differential.
The rear wheel steer is at motorway speeds. A little unnerving with gentle steering imputs required to avoid unsettling the car. The rear end self levels just fine. We had a lot of weight in the boot, roughly 120kg and she levelled out without a problem.
But I need to get Brian to check the wheel balance. Recently fitted new tyres and we were getting some vibration from the rear on the motorway that made me think we had lost some weights. However as you correctly say, worn dampers could be allowing the wheels to bounce that would also create a similar vibration.
What make of gas springs would you recommend as a replacement. I have noticed that when jacked up the rear shock absorbers leak a fair bit of fluid out of the gaitors. This perhaps confirms that they are past their sell by date ?.
The final drives are bullet proof and will develop other symptoms long before a sudden failure occurs.The rear wheel steer is at motorway speeds. A little unnerving with gentle steering imputs required to avoid unsettling the car. The rear end self levels just fine. We had a lot of weight in the boot, roughly 120kg and she levelled out without a problem.
But I need to get Brian to check the wheel balance. Recently fitted new tyres and we were getting some vibration from the rear on the motorway that made me think we had lost some weights. However as you correctly say, worn dampers could be allowing the wheels to bounce that would also create a similar vibration.
What make of gas springs would you recommend as a replacement. I have noticed that when jacked up the rear shock absorbers leak a fair bit of fluid out of the gaitors. This perhaps confirms that they are past their sell by date ?.
120kg in the boot is a huge mass when suspended beyond the rear wheels and it will have an effect especially in combination with rear seat passengers. You have to remember that this an old barge not a modern car steered by DSC/electronics.
The rear suspension on these cars doesn't rely just on the coil springs so when other systems fail the rear will semi collapse upon them. The shock absorbers, in addition to damping, serve two other functions. They act as height control rams providing the levelled height through the 2nd Hydraulic circuit as well as passing road shocks to the gas spring above allowing the coil and gas springs to supplement each other.
Loss of fluid is never a good thing and needs investigating however, unlike a conventional shock absorber any loss is made up from the hydraulic reservoir so none of the functions should be affected.
There are alternatives when it comes to gas springs but I would steer well away from them and use genuine Bentley parts only. Fortunately they're not expensive and available from a number of sources but I'd avoid using Roberts Hall Ltd. at all costs.
TheValk said:
Great to hear that Waffa and Hattie travelling OK- well, Hattie with a temporary hiccup which I am sure will be sorted in due course.
I have now sold the boat, so just the motorcycle to go...getting closer to all those night-time interior lights
TheValk
Australia
EverOnwards
Aha! When my boat sells, then I can have a Continental T to add to the track Turbo R!!I have now sold the boat, so just the motorcycle to go...getting closer to all those night-time interior lights
TheValk
Australia
EverOnwards
WG is hanging in there. But tearfully the doctors do not seem to be making progress. I feel so sorry for Ian and Anna. Truly lovely people that deserve so much more.
Hatty is not doing very well either. Brian fitted the recon rack and a new power steering pump. But it is absolute rubbish. The steering is now completely numb. Won't return or glide in your hand. Lost all of its beautiful tactile steering feel. Brian will sort it out. But time is marching on and I'm still waiting.
Now the completely daft part. Maybe some will identify with this and others will think I am truly nuts. Hatty has a personality, she is alive. From the moment she arrived back via the RAC she is dead. I just hope that once we have resolved the steering issue she will rekindle her spark and spring back into life.
If not it was one of my worse days work taking her to Belgium
Hatty is not doing very well either. Brian fitted the recon rack and a new power steering pump. But it is absolute rubbish. The steering is now completely numb. Won't return or glide in your hand. Lost all of its beautiful tactile steering feel. Brian will sort it out. But time is marching on and I'm still waiting.
Now the completely daft part. Maybe some will identify with this and others will think I am truly nuts. Hatty has a personality, she is alive. From the moment she arrived back via the RAC she is dead. I just hope that once we have resolved the steering issue she will rekindle her spark and spring back into life.
If not it was one of my worse days work taking her to Belgium
Graemel,
Thanks for the up dates on both Waffa and Hatty. Sad to hear that Waffa is still not out of the woods yet. If you get the chance pass on mine and I am sure the rest of the forums, regards to Waffa.
As for Hatty, sounds like she needs some tender loving care, as any female does. Hopefully its not going to be too expensive !!! or a long job to fix.
Thanks for the up dates on both Waffa and Hatty. Sad to hear that Waffa is still not out of the woods yet. If you get the chance pass on mine and I am sure the rest of the forums, regards to Waffa.
As for Hatty, sounds like she needs some tender loving care, as any female does. Hopefully its not going to be too expensive !!! or a long job to fix.
graemel said:
WG is hanging in there. But tearfully the doctors do not seem to be making progress. I feel so sorry for Ian and Anna. Truly lovely people that deserve so much more.
Hatty is not doing very well either. Brian fitted the recon rack and a new power steering pump. But it is absolute rubbish. The steering is now completely numb. Won't return or glide in your hand. Lost all of its beautiful tactile steering feel. Brian will sort it out. But time is marching on and I'm still waiting.
Now the completely daft part. Maybe some will identify with this and others will think I am truly nuts. Hatty has a personality, she is alive. From the moment she arrived back via the RAC she is dead. I just hope that once we have resolved the steering issue she will rekindle her spark and spring back into life.
If not it was one of my worse days work taking her to Belgium
Some of the recon racks out there are garbage, had the same problem myself Hatty is not doing very well either. Brian fitted the recon rack and a new power steering pump. But it is absolute rubbish. The steering is now completely numb. Won't return or glide in your hand. Lost all of its beautiful tactile steering feel. Brian will sort it out. But time is marching on and I'm still waiting.
Now the completely daft part. Maybe some will identify with this and others will think I am truly nuts. Hatty has a personality, she is alive. From the moment she arrived back via the RAC she is dead. I just hope that once we have resolved the steering issue she will rekindle her spark and spring back into life.
If not it was one of my worse days work taking her to Belgium
I have learnt something today.
I started reading this thread and found myself thinking "get a life!", "over a car!?", "doesn't the OP have more important things in his life?? Friends, family??" I mean I love my cars too but come on!!
I feel rather ashamed. Cars, (I still maintain not as much as friends and family) can and do give something more than the sum of their parts. They can provide joy and sometimes a distraction to our problems.
To the OP, not that I would ever say what I initially thought to anyone's face, I now understand the attachment to Hatty that you had and still have. I wish you health and happiness. I'm so glad she is being looked after as well as you looked after her.
All the best to both the OP and Hatty's new custodian.
I started reading this thread and found myself thinking "get a life!", "over a car!?", "doesn't the OP have more important things in his life?? Friends, family??" I mean I love my cars too but come on!!
I feel rather ashamed. Cars, (I still maintain not as much as friends and family) can and do give something more than the sum of their parts. They can provide joy and sometimes a distraction to our problems.
To the OP, not that I would ever say what I initially thought to anyone's face, I now understand the attachment to Hatty that you had and still have. I wish you health and happiness. I'm so glad she is being looked after as well as you looked after her.
All the best to both the OP and Hatty's new custodian.
Edited by lawtoni on Friday 18th March 15:03
Sad to hear that Hatty and Waffa are both unwell. Best wishes to both for a speedy recovery.
I have followed these threads for a long time as I desperately wanted a TR and it was very interesting to read of the trials and tribulations of ownership. Now I have one (my second actually - the first went 'bang' very soon after purchase!) I know the trials and tribulations only too bloody well!
Re the rack: my car is on its third within 500 miles! The first was fitted by the selling dealer(allegedly, though a RR specialist I wouldn't trust him to tell the truth if he said I was on fire and I could feel the heat and smell the smoke!) and was replaced by Specialist cars when it had its major overhaul as it was leaking. To be honest, the steering on that rack was lovely...
The new rack never felt right and like yours, felt lifeless and dead. Fortunately, it failed in very short order (250 miles, leaking like a sieve) and the 'new' one is lovely and has restored the feel and joy in the steering.
They are now old cars and need care and competent maintenance. Mine never fails to reward me for every huge expense I spend on her by throwing up a new fault!
I have followed these threads for a long time as I desperately wanted a TR and it was very interesting to read of the trials and tribulations of ownership. Now I have one (my second actually - the first went 'bang' very soon after purchase!) I know the trials and tribulations only too bloody well!
Re the rack: my car is on its third within 500 miles! The first was fitted by the selling dealer(allegedly, though a RR specialist I wouldn't trust him to tell the truth if he said I was on fire and I could feel the heat and smell the smoke!) and was replaced by Specialist cars when it had its major overhaul as it was leaking. To be honest, the steering on that rack was lovely...
The new rack never felt right and like yours, felt lifeless and dead. Fortunately, it failed in very short order (250 miles, leaking like a sieve) and the 'new' one is lovely and has restored the feel and joy in the steering.
They are now old cars and need care and competent maintenance. Mine never fails to reward me for every huge expense I spend on her by throwing up a new fault!
Very frustratingly not much to report. Hatty is with a Rolls Royce and Bentley restoration specialist having the usual suspects rectified. Some slight corrosion around the wheel arches, door handles and a blister just below the rear window. John is a very busy guy and has had the car since May. It has been ready since the beginning of the year but Brian has still failed to go and collect her. Yes I am loosing my patience. Still has to replace the steering rack and sort out the loud clonk. First step will be to pull the diff out of it and inspect it properly. If nothing is found then it has to be in the gearbox. Should be back with me I hope by the beginning of May. I'll let you know what we find
I know I am dredging up an old thread but having just read this from start to finish I have three things:
1. Waffagolf’s passion for Hatty was off the scale and all the more magical because of it. I loved reading the little stories of checking up on her etc and the feeling it gave him.
2. The fact that someone bought her through PH this way is awesome and love how Graeme was able to slow Hatty to be a part of WGs life after he had to sell her. I have owned my Caterham for 15 years and am still in regular contact with the guy I bought her from. He enjoys seeing the car cherished in the way he cherished it. Yes they are lumps of metal and rubber but together they become much more
3. I desperately hope all is well with WG, it has been some years since the last update.
I would love to own a Turbo R and whilst the purchase costs is doable but fear the running costs might just be beyond me. Plus the fact it might have to live on the driveway which I’m not sure I could cope with.
Cheers
SS
1. Waffagolf’s passion for Hatty was off the scale and all the more magical because of it. I loved reading the little stories of checking up on her etc and the feeling it gave him.
2. The fact that someone bought her through PH this way is awesome and love how Graeme was able to slow Hatty to be a part of WGs life after he had to sell her. I have owned my Caterham for 15 years and am still in regular contact with the guy I bought her from. He enjoys seeing the car cherished in the way he cherished it. Yes they are lumps of metal and rubber but together they become much more
3. I desperately hope all is well with WG, it has been some years since the last update.
I would love to own a Turbo R and whilst the purchase costs is doable but fear the running costs might just be beyond me. Plus the fact it might have to live on the driveway which I’m not sure I could cope with.
Cheers
SS
There was an update last year when I started this thread after wondering myself what happened to Hatty.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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