ESSEXDAFS OPEN..

[mattsdafs]

With recent restrictions and a move,Essexdafs has been limited to helping support owners of Dafs who require parts to keep their Dafs mobile..

Now with most restrictions being lifted,ED is happy to announce that the parts support is up and running,not that it COULDN'T supply parts 😉..and welcomes visitors/enquiries to help keep all Dafs on/return to the road..

With the recent visits of 4 Daffers and a large parts order which is due to be posted out very soon..plus another order heading to Birmingham in the next week,ED would like to announce that it is..OPEN..🎉🎉🎉🎊🎊🎊🎈🎈🎈..

Visits are welcome to the new ED home..even if it's only for a chat and a famous ED brew,the kettle is always on..keep safe and carry on Daffing 😉..

[andrewthe33]

………And on that subject I should like to add my sincere thanks to Matt at Essex Dafs for assisting me in keeping my 33 on the road! What was meant to be a short visit, as permitted during the Covid 19 lockdown ended up being a very pleasant afternoon’s Daffing for Rob and myself; spares were bought, ideas discussed and investigated…and subsequently dismissed… and tea was drunk! I have to say Matt makes a mean cuppa!

My 33 has snapped 2 half-shafts in 2 years, and before anyone says I drive like Graham Hill, I DO, but even by my reckoning that’s an excessive use of half-shafts. Matt’s suggestion as to what might be the problem was discussed at length (tea helps thinking….) and a few thoughts will be put into practice soon. Other helpful ideas were on the subject of indicator colour; Pre 1965 vehicles were permitted to have WHITE indicators at the front and RED ones to the rear, but after 1965 the rules were that ALL indicators had to be amber in colour, to save confusion with side or brakes lights. Fast forward to the 2000s, and cars have reverted to clear lenses with coloured bulbs…cue an opportunity to smarten my 33! I bought a set of early clear indicator lenses for the front of my 33 and will buy some amber bulb paint, as used by Brits going to France in the good old “yellow headlamps only” days, with which I’ll paint the clear bulbs. Should look good!

We also discussed the possible re-routing of the brake and vacuum pipes which run from the engine compartment to the rear of the car. As designed they’re exposed, running above the exhaust pipe, clipped to the underside of the car floor. I’d thought there might be enough room to run them inside the transmission tunnel, thus protecting them, but after rummaging around under a 33 in the barn I’m now not so sure about this. It might come to fruition, but needs more cogitation (and more tea!) before a final answers arrived at.

I eventually left Essex Dafs with a sizeable haul goodies, a pile of advice and positive feeling about keeping my Daf on the road! If you need Daf help, give Matt a shout via this forum! I took a few pictures of my visit, but am unable to load them, owing to a distinct lack of servers willing to carry my pictures at the moment, but I shall persevere...

[starider]

Hi, just a thought ref. Drive shafts shearing,I remember talking to DAFs service engineer when these began to shear on odd occasions. He said it was important that the half shaft retaining nut was tightened to the correct torque and there wasn't any movement of the drum on the half shaft splines.He recommended that if/when the drums were removed to attend to the rear brakes, that on re-assembly, Loctite or similar be used. The main problem with doing this,the next time the drum needs to come off it is almost impossible without the correct puller. A rear drum puller is actually what I consider to be an essential tool to 30'series,44 and 46 owners.
I would be quite happy to manufacture a suitable puller[fairly basic] at cost plus postage.
Ref. the vacuum pipes why not run them inside the car,one each side of the propshaft tunnel on the floor? It would need a spacer making to"push" out the seat belt mounting.If the spacer were quite a large diameter the mounting point shouldn't be compromised.
When rallying in rough terrain I know the the Austin/Morris 1800s[Land crab], used to have their suspensions Hydrolastic pipes fitted inside the car.

[bobdisk]

Hi Matt, Andrew and I had a wonderful visit to your new residence, and I made friends with William the Goat, butt (  ) not sure Andrew did as well ! . We saw enough spare parts to build almost all models of DAF ! I am sure I can now get my 33 going, Thank for the luvverly cupa tea !! I will get a shopping list up. See you again soon, especially with todays new rules !!! Bob.

[mattsdafs]

Look forward to another visit Bob and I'm sure William will wounder over and say hello..but we will enclose the front of the barn so he doesn't get to near..for Andrew's sake 😉

[starider]

Well done Matt,good luck with the new base, I'm sure many of us have breathed a sigh of relief now our main source of parts is back in business.

Tony

[mattsdafs]

Thank you Tony..

It has been hard work but worth it..it's nice to be able to go straight to most parts and pick off the shelf but some do need to be uncovered..

Today 2 more items located,packaged and will be posted next week..along with your box of parts also Tony..

[mattsdafs]

Another successful visit yesterday by Lewis of Norfolk Dafs..

They are currently restoring a 32 and it should be back on the road soon..

Lewis left a happy man with a bootfull of parts but also brought some parts with him..a deal was done and the parts stored..

All the parts are for a 66..consisting of..4 bumpers,2 front,2 rear..a set of 13" rims..a tub of odds and ends and a heater motor..3 of the bumpers and the rims need work..but 1 bumper was near perfect..
Also have a set of black over riders which have the Daf emblem on them but they also need work..

Due to time scale unfortunately no work was carried out on the cars..but there is always next Saturday..

[mattsdafs]

Another visit on Saturday from Lewis and Ben who is the owner of the 32 that Lewis is working on..

A few more bits bought and plenty of tea/coffee consumed..with a few biscuits..

Dan also turned up and some work was done on Nell my other 55 estate..

All to soon it was time to head home,been a long day and a couple of beers later saw an early night..

Back out again next Saturday..

[mattsdafs]

Back out to the barn Saturday and another visitor due for parts..

This time we are helping with parts for a recently discovered 44 from not to far away..

Also more work planned for Nell and if enough time,more work on Yo..

Now that the cars finally have space to be worked on,in time more will return to the road..where they belong..

Visitors are always welcome,normally Saturdays..(other days can be arranged)..where large amounts of tea/coffee and now biscuits will be served..

A day out at Essexdafs for any Daffer will hopefully relive the lack of attending more local..(to you all)..cancelled car shows and club events..and even just to visit the collection and chat all things Daf,all are very welcome..

In the meantime,if we can be of any help,please feel free to contact..

Thankyou..

Matt.