Willys Hotchkiss Jeep M201 update; Brakes adjusted and bled and stopping better now!

 

Somehow I deleted the previous Jeep blog post and I cannot see where to un - delete it, bloomin computers!, so will repost it again here along with bleeding the brakes using a one man operation DIY bleed kit. With the Jeep been running 6 months now It was time to adjust the brakes having done over 1000km/600 odd miles now. The drums are actually a bit oval with wear, and really should be skimmed or replaced in the future, but that will get done when the brake shoes need replaced. 

There is plenty of info online on setting up the brakes on old Jeeps, and the Hotchkiss set up is identical to the WW2 Willys and Ford MB`s and two ways to adjust are the quick `in the field` minor set up, and the more accurate major set up` using feeler gauges.  Both are obviously shown in the Willys Manual I was given with my Jeep...

This is worth watching, and subscribing to their channel if your interested in Jeeps as real useful and packed with information on the history of Wartime Jeeps, here is how to do the Major brake shoe adjustment;

I had watched this and most of the videos on this ace channel already so had prepared and bought used spanners needed via eBay and ground the 3/4" spanner to fit into the back of the brake shoe mounting plate, and a second set of feeler gauges, one set in the Jeep tool kit one set for the workshop Jeep tool box.

Top clearance set to .008

Lower set to .005

Brakes were better now when I tried the Jeep around town but still a bit spongy so decided to bleed them myself.  I bought a Draper DIY self brake bleed kit for £6 via eBay, my go to tool shopping site these days as I do my Jeep maintenance!

With a one way valve inside you just fill the container to about an inch with fluid then attach to a bleed nipple and open it and pump the brake several times giving it a few seconds between each pump.  

I sat my phone recording the bleed tube each time and would watch after each drum was bled, and right enough there was air in the system.

The master cylinder is located under the floor and pedals accessible via this plate. I checked the fluid level was up to the top before starting and kept the cover hand tight...

Starting on the drum furthest from the master cylinder I bled the rear right, rear left, front right, front left...

Every two drums I would return the bled fluid back to the master cylinder using a large syringe with 6" tube...

I topped up the master cylinder with the fluid I put in the bleed bottle to start with but did not need it all so returned it to the bottle as clean,

The brake was a lot better now and stops solid...

I improved the brake even better by making a short adjustment to the linking rod between the brake pedal lever and master cylinder. I only extended it by approx 4mm but made an improvement to the brakes when I took it a test drive with more leverage on the angle the brakes start to be applied...

I added a couple of accessories this week, a canvas shovel cover that will stop the shovel rattling...

And a Bridge plate, as fitted after 1944, seeing as a previous owner had painted the bonnet with the broken circle around the Star Invasion markings...

Today I am writing this up and it is May Bank Holiday weekend, and it is finally, finally! getting warmer!, so with the brakes massively improved it's time to get a drive up the back roads into our local hills now I know I can stop ok on the steep down hills!,

More soon...

Surly Moonlanders at JMCP

Friend Chris popped around for a cycle and having just replaced tyres and drive chain on the Moonlander for G (Bike update soon) I took the bike for a test as been a long time since i cycled the old Moonie. G was not going out as the rain was going sideways past the window!. 

Chris brought his John Deere Green Moonlander and we headed out for a brief cycle in the biblicle conditions to JMCP...

You forget just how much of a game changer the Surly Moonlander was when released back in 2011. With 4.6' tyres on 100mm rims it was even better than the original Surly Pugsley. The bike got even better when bigger 4.8" tyres came out and it is this size of wheels I now use on my newer Surly Pugsley 2.0. they are still the biggest option and my first choice for pure sand riding...

Here is some film riding around the beach at JMCP. Song is `Go!` by Public Service Broadcasting

We cycled through the woods returning to the salt marsh and Belhaven Bay, enjoying a bit rest from the easterly rain...

Out across the Bay returning back to base it was a bit grim in the cold rain, hard work into the wind warmed you up as the sand whipped up danced across the Bay...

Here is another film across the bay in the wild weather, Song is `Grey Horizon` by Jaytech

Across the Biel burn  and we would soon be back at base drinking warm coffee and enjoying some biccies...

More soon...

Midweek cycle; JMCP; through the woods...

Go Pro pics...

Continuing the cycle from the other day we left the beach at JMCP and rode some trails, first the short but fun Alpaca Trail, named as created by the local Alpacas that are walked here...

Into the sand basin which was large sand dunes removed for Glass production after WW2 and stopped at a WW2 sign...

The concrete A sign, as mentioned already on the blog, from the wartime West Barnes Ranges

Wee film along the Alpaca trail, Song is `track 3 Old tunes album ` by Boards of Canada

From the letter A in the woods it's a short cycle along a path to the Letter F signs - or should say remains of the F sign, where we rode through the pine woods on the winding sandy single track trail...

And another wee film, Song is `No 2 Old Tunes Album` by Boards Of Canada,

Leaving the woods we rode across the salt marsh to cross Belhaven Bay heading home...

And a final film, Song is `An Eagle In Your Eye` by Boards Of Canada

More soon...