[Mick O'Malley]

On Monday, the guy pressing in my bearings rang to say that the half shafts were ready, but that there was a problem with the hubs which I needed to see. Today I pootled over there and examined the problem. These ally hubs came from Merlin Motorsport, a thoroughly professional outfit based at Castle Combe which I have used a good few times. It seems that whoever programmed the CNC for this batch of hubs made a boo boo and machined some inserts in an attempt to correct their error. Sadly, these are too thick and simply began to crush under the press attempting to push the bearing race into a too small recess.



My guy was extremely apologetic, as he takes pride in his work and was clearly gutted to have to disappoint a customer, even offering to contribute to the necessary remedial work. We discussed it and agreed that I should take the offending item to Maynard Ltd (an absolutely top notch specialist engine machining establishment of almost 40 years' standing), not far away, for an opinion. There, the ever helpful staff pulled up Merlin's spec sheet on line, and using vernier calipers confirmed that it was indeed the manufacturer's error. Whilst I was there, the proprietor, who is THE Imp (and hence Talbot Sunbeam 930) guru, talked me through what goodies I would need to get the sort of sprightly road performance I would like. The piggy bank is going to take a hammering!

So, tomorrow I'm off to the offending emporium with the errant items to seek their proposals for remedying the situation. Favourite for me would be replacement!

Regards, Mick

p.s Thanks for birthday wishes .