Wire connectors

[Steve_Lindford]

Me again... I am reconnecting some wires at the front of the car - putting the radiator fan back in and adding a new otter switch. I destroyed the old connectors and am going to make a connection in the same place - but the wires look kind of tarnished. Is there something that can be done to help make the new connection reliable?? If there is enough wire to spare maybe I will cut 10mm off to get to a clean bit of wire. None of this wire looks clean enough to take solder.

Also - I have just had to cut 5mm off the end of a new track rod end as there was not enough thread on the shaft to take the replacement and lock nut. Anybody else had this??

Steve

[Gmg31]

Once wire tarnishes it's very hard to solder. I cut back the insulation and use two emery pads and rub the wires between them  to get them shiny again. It's Essential to use flux

[4129R]

Also - I have just had to cut 5mm off the end of a new track rod end as there was not enough thread on the shaft to take the replacement and lock nut. Anybody else had this??

Steve

Yes, but not on a Lotus Europa.

I was worried that there was no enough thread for a safe mechanical connection.

I believe the track rod ends on a normal rack for a Europa (Triumph with Lotus extensions), go on at least 12 complete turns.

Alex in Norfolk. 

[jbcollier]

Dip the wire in some muriatic acid, available in hardware and paint stores, then follow with a dip in a mix of water and baking soda.

[EuropaTC]

Also - I have just had to cut 5mm off the end of a new track rod end as there was not enough thread on the shaft to take the replacement and lock nut. Anybody else had this??

Hmm, that sounds wrong Steve. Either the TRE isn't right for the car or something else, maybe the spacer pieces or the inboard links depending on the rack type.  There's a diagram in the base S2 manual for the S2 rack giving dimensions, do they tie up roughly with yours ?

Brian

[Steve_Lindford]

Actually - re the track rod ends - Ive made a mistake - when I unscrewed the old one I wrapped masking tape to show its position BUT eventually had to move it to the other side of the nut - when I replaced that - but forgot. Not sure that makes sense. The new ones ARE around 2mm longer which is ok - but led me in the wrong direction somehow.

I will probably go down the acid route for the wires - there are old connectors all over the place that are just crimped. Soldering will be really tricky - and bad for my back!

Steve