Lancia Motor Club

Further to other posts in the Aprilia section, the Lancia Motor Club does own a rear spring compression tool, it was in my custody when I was Aprilia Advisor, BUT said tool was lent to an Aprilia owner who has never returned it!
So if you are that person could you please return it to me, then it can be placed with all the other club tools so that it is again available for ALL club members to use.
Thanks. Ade Rudler.

Picture below.

Ade, I will talk to you. I believe the current custodian of this tool is no longer a member of the Club.

Gentlemen, the custodian, as Tony generously refers to him or her, is obliged to return this tool, and the obligation is enforceable under both criminal and civil law.

Meanwhile, perhaps someone would be interested in following up this ad in Subito:

http://www.subito.it/accessori-auto/attrezzo-per-balestre-lancia-aprilia-lecco-60553509.htm

This offers a tool for removing Lancia Aprilia leaf springs, at Euro 120. There is no photograph shown. If is is as described though, this must surely be worth acquiring either by an individual or on behalf of the club.

It would be good for this tool to be returned to the LMC, are there other tools outstanding?

Ideally it would be better to get original tool returned asap rather €120 plus postage and hassle!

P

It would be interesting to see what the tool on Subito looks like. I doubt you could remanufacture one like the original for less that 10 times that price.

Hi Ade
         I have just noticed and am somewhat surprised by this post as you passed this too on to me some years ago and I have been looking after it on behalf of the club ever since including lending it out to other club members.
        I am not aware of anybody in need of it at present but if they do it is certainly available.
                                  Ben Courage

Ade/Ben

I have just taken over the LMC tools from Brian Hilton and this Aprilia tool is not in the inventory so I AM happy it remains under Ben's custodianship as he has the knowledge in this area to help fellow Aprilia owners. If it does the job for Fulvias and others that's great and I am still happy for Ben to be the source of loaning out this tool. I am just glad it has surfaced!!!

Tim

This is a relief. It would certainly have been a nasty trick for someone to resign from the club and keep such a specialised tool as was suggested at one point!

Is there an inventory of tools, by car, model or year? If you can fill me/us in Tim as to how it all works that would be great


P

Ben, I am sorry if I used intemperate language in my contribution, and it is good to hear that this indispensable attrezzo is in good hands and available to us.

Cesare

Quite an extensive list which Brian has started to organise with pictures etc. I will try to get this into the Library so members can search etc. Not many for the older cars but Gamma Beta and Fulvia well supported. Individual tools run to 5 pages..... Tool hire through me with deposit based on size of tool and a weekly rent again based on size of tool.

Hope that illuminates on the subject of Club Special Tools. Brian has over the last year sorted and repackaged tools into protective plastic storage boxes and from time to time shown tools on the forum to assist members.

Tim

Excellent, so the inventory could be added to the database, and maybe a spread sheet used to show what tools are in the inventory, and its uses, also was out on loan, when its expected back, hiring and postage costs?


P

Hi Ben,
I didn't realise you had the Aprilia spring tool, I must admit I was rather embarrased as I was the last known custodian but didn't know who had it. I will leave it up to you and Tim as to who keeps the tool, but as long as it is on the LMC special tools inventory and is available to everyone that's great.
A very happy Ade!

P.S. It is specific to the Aprilia rear spring and does not fit the Fulvia front spring.

Not sure I would go that far but if you want to take over be my guest!!

Tim

I will ensure it is on the inventory with Ben as Custodian. Are there any other club tools out there???

Tim

Well Tim, if we are going to build a data base and theres lots to go on it, why not use it to its fullest?  Just a suggestion to put out there, I'd think members would be hacked off when they realised postage costs from NI are 20-50% more than from within the 3 mainland countries......not much point in my taking it over when I don't know enough about either the tools or other aspects as a mere Lancia apprentice!


P

Here are 3 special tools that I have. Left is , I think a Fulvia 2 rear (?) hubtool, the middle one is something Aprilia (front suspension I think) and the right one is something else Fulvia, I think

I wonder if

1) we could identify what these are
2) make a note that I possess them and am happy to lend them out with appropriate deposit/insurance to LMC members
3) Compile or add to, a list of other member-owned special tools - with photo - either for reference or potential loan
4) it is just too complicated to do any of the above !!

Would help if I added the photo !

Simon

Left is more than likely rear hub nut for s2/3 Fulvia, and right is Fulvia S1 front hub nut. Both need to have a restraint to stop them slipping of these silly castellated nuts due to the very high torque applied to loosen. Otherwise the tool slips off and burrs (or possibly shears - front - the teeth off).

The club has these in UK stock at the moment.

Tim

I don't wish to dampen the enthusiasm, but although the LMC has quite a few tools there is not a complete set of anything by model, which isn't surprising when you compare say Fulvia tools we have against the full list of Fulvia tools, but as Tim says there are a lot of useful tools in amongst the Fulvia Beta and Gamma tools that could and ought to be made better use of; while there are other tools such as for rebuilding integrale 4wd units, and other such obscure parts, that I don't think there will ever be a great call for!

Brian
8227 8)

I picked up on this thread and open a related one under : http://www.lancia.myzen.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5964.0

"Should we store this information in the database in an index?"

But definately put a spreadsheet in the library at least :)

Indeed not Brian, but I've have no idea of whats held, or by whom or whats been lent out or how long for or when its to be returned. Again we are back to the LMC having valuable resources which new or potential members could avail of and keeping a tighter grip on these valuable and vital tools for the next generation of members.


P

Again, many members will have one off tools which they might only use once in 5/10/15 yrs, to buy ( if they are even available to buy) or manufacture would be prohibitive, they could be loaned to LMC to use for all members under strict conditions to the benefit of all.

P

Frank,

Prior to me taking over the tools there didn't seem to have been any limit on how long a member could keep hold of a tool/tools, this was deemed as unsatisfactory as it potentially meant that other members couldn't get them out on loan, as was indeed the case on Fulvia Hub tools when about a year ago members were trying to get hold of them.
The Committee have now drawn up a terms and conditions of use, which are for loan to LMC Members only, with a time limit and the cost of the hire and the postage, initially hire is for two weeks with a further charge if kept longer.
There are also postage costs, See copy of the Terms and conditions & charges below.
Due to how the systems has to work an up front deposit + initial Hire+ postage is payable by Cheque ONLY.
When the tools are returned in good condition then the balance of the deposit etc is returned to the members account shown on his cheque.
Previously as far as I can make out no one was charged a deposit or a hire fee, or an additional fee for keeping the tool longer than the original hire, there was no incentive for anyone to return the tools so that they would be available for another member if required.
In practice the postage fees may vary as there might be three components to one tool so it would put it into a higher postage band.
Brian
8227 8)



Lancia Special Tools
Terms & Conditions of Hire.

Tools are categorised as.
Small  ( < 1 Kg).
Medium (<  5Kg)
Large  (<5Kg)

Small Deposit £20- Fee £5 per Fortnight, £5/Week Addn. Postage out £5.

Medium Deposit £50 -Fee £10 per fortnight, /£10/week Addn. Postage out £10.

Large Deposit £100-Fee £15 Per Fortnight,£15/week Addn. Postage out £20.

Borrowers will pay by cheque only made out to The Lancia Motor Club, and will be for Deposit, plus one fortnightly charge, plus postage.

The Deposit will be returned to borrower less any costs, and will be made after the tools have been returned in a satisfactory condition,  as judged by the custodian.

Borrowers would lose their deposit if the tool was returned in an unusable condition.
If the tool is retained for more than the initial fortnightly hire, this would require a further fee under the terms of lending which would be taken from the borrowers deposit before return of balance.

I Agree to the above terms and conditions of hire

Signed.

LMC Membership Number.

Date.  

Thanks for that Brian, very useful, is this loan agreement written in our LMC handbook or separately etc?


P

Frank

Currently, when someone makes an enquiry they will receive a loan form (from me). I hope to systemise this with Steve Pilgrim but am only just starting out. Get a Fulvia and test the system!!!

Tim

Get a Fulvia........is that sorta like that old advert....."Get ahead.....get a hat!"

 ;D

I will let some one else take up your kind offer! Keep up the good work.

P

That's funny Frank I like that :D

You heard it here first......:)


P

PS Thats a copyright protected phrase.....;)

Hats off to you. Now will you get back to your B12.

Hoisted by my own petard......;).....gee guys, gimme a break, its up to the sand/media blaster on Thursday....more to follow


P

The spring press has re-appeared with photo !

http://www.subito.it/accessori-auto/attrezzo-per-balestre-lancia-aprilia-lecco-62073205.htm (http://www.subito.it/accessori-auto/attrezzo-per-balestre-lancia-aprilia-lecco-62073205.htm)

Now we are back to posting about the tool itself, let me clarify a possible misunderstanding. The tool for compressing the spring is a large and elaborate device as in the photo with Ade at the start of this thread and in the Subito advert. I am sure this is a fine thing to have, but in practice it need not be used.

The rear transverse spring can be fitted to the car in its relaxed state and the ends of the spring can then be jacked into place, one end at a time. Although the rear of the car may need to be weighted-up to stop it simply also rising with the jack. Persuading mother-in-law to sit in the back could do the trick – as it once did for me, but that was a long time ago!

A much simpler and more common tool is an “H” or “U” section beam with clamps simply to hold the spring in its flat mode. A device like this can also be used to remove and refit a Fulvia front spring, not that I have ever had the pleasure of trying it.

Also to clarify, there is no need for such a tool for use on an Aurelia.

Colin

Thats true Colin.......and yes I suspect with a bit of ingenuity, making or modifiying other tools will do the job


P

But gentlemen, for those who are mechanically active is not the Subito tool a most wonderful thing to be able to buy for E120, may I remind you?

Having changed springs with and without the special tool, I know which route I prefer !

With the tool, you felt in control, without, it was always a bit risky ..... these springs are vicious and have been known to flip cars if the hangers fail ! 

The tool on Subito, will, I think, allow you to remove the spring and keep it flat, but I am not sure how safely it would permit the spring to be decompressed. I would like to see some more guide/retaining rails to keep the spring straight as the ends slide along the bar.

I could be tempted by said tool , but I think I can make a better one for less money