Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Unable to post images ....

« on: March 15, 2024, 02:26:08 PM »

Joe -- thanks much for the response and background.  Sadly this speaks to your suggestion to post/review on the two FB sites.    I am a huge fan of this kind of forum -- much more than FB.   Primarily because of the vast history that can be archived "forever" and searched for in a more thorough way than FB (as far as my experience has shown.)  In addition, forums like this tend to have less naive members, less (or no) snarky responses and less phishing.    I would LOVE to have this forum become THE go-to,  robust compendium of Darrin (and KF!) info out there.  I understand this is wishful thinking and given what you wrote, seems like an uphill battle.   

Meanwhile I hope that the behind-the-scenes work will yield success and that we can continue to use this site to post images and information in addition to the FB sites.

Thanks !!!

2

General Discussion / Unable to post images ....

« on: March 13, 2024, 08:29:41 AM »

Anyone have any ideas why I'm suddenly not able to post images with my new topic? 

 I'm getting an error that reads "An Error Has Occurred!  Your attachment couldn't be saved.  This might happen because it took too long to upload or the file is bigger than the server will allow.  Please consult your server administrator for more information."

I'm attempting to upload 2 JPG images that are both around 780k -- not huge files.  In the past I've successfully uploaded as many as 6 images with file sizes over 4MB.... so unless this site/ server has changed its parameters, file size does not appear to be an issue.  As for taking longer, this message appears instantly when I try to post.   I've tried posting in both Firefox and in Chrome with the same result.

Can anyone point me to the administrator for this site in case they have more insight?  THANKS!!!

(As an experiment, I attempted to ADD an image this post that has already gone live -- but I get the same "AN ERROR HAS OCCURRED" messge.  UPDATE:  I see that this topic attempted to post an image - but it's blank below.  Does anyone else see that??)

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General Discussion / Re: Darrin Door - stuck open, cannot close

« on: March 12, 2024, 07:19:00 PM »

Had to be stressful to solve the problem, but your details on cause and solution make great reading. Glad you got it free.

Thanks!!  I hope to be helpful to others as I progress down this road.  There's so much great info here already but if I can add some additional context/ perspective, happy to do it.

I may be posting on the two Facebook sites since this Forum is not liking me posting images today.....

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General Discussion / Re: Darrin Door - stuck open, cannot close

« on: March 12, 2024, 07:06:16 PM »

Do you use Facebook? There are two Darrin related pages with much more activity than here....

hi Joe -- yes I'm aware of those pages and have found them very helpful.  I guess there are two reasons I just posted here:  1.  I find the idea of a dedicated forum quite appealing (I am a member of one related to Cessna Cardinals and it's just a treasure of info and these forums search functions are quite helpful)  and 2. I just didn't want to post in multiple places.     

That said, I think I will post on the FB pages as well.... I am a big fan of those pages and understand your point about more activity.   Thanks!!

edit:  and for some reason the forum is not letting me post with images.... so I will revert to the FB pages for my next topic: body removal and bracing

5

General Discussion / Re: Darrin Door - stuck open, cannot close

« on: March 06, 2024, 08:51:17 PM »

I got the door out.  For those interested in how it happened, read on:

Recap:  Driver door stuck in open position, would not slide along lower track runner.  As such, I was not able to remove the door since the door must be able to travel fully rear-ward (99.9% closed) so it can be swung outward and clear the forward fender.

As suggested here by Terry & Joe, I removed fasteners for the upper track runner which completely freed the door from the body.  However I was still stuck since the lower track runner simply not clear the rear door jam.  I could not see how to get the whole assy out without radically bending the track runner and I did not want to do that.

So taking Joes next suggestion, I took a long, strong piece of thin wood and tried to release any mechanical linkage that might be holding the door in the open position.  With the door moving freely left / right & up / down  (as limited as it was) within the fender, I could get a good view deep in the pocket, toward the front.  Frankly I saw nothing mechanical that appeared to be holding this door open. 

I examined the passenger door which was laying on my workbench and I saw nothing that would explain why the door was stuck open.   Back at the car, I saw, deep in the pocket, a mouse nest.  It was right on top of the lower track runner /axle assy.  More and more I thought "This can't have anything to do with any sort of mechanical linkage. It has to be an organic third-party influence."

I took a chance and decided to use brute force.  I placed a thin piece of wood to protect the aft jam fiberglass and, grabbing the door firmly, sharply smacked the lower track runner against piece of wood protecting the aft jam.

Sure enough, after three sharp raps, the door broke free from the lower track runner and now slid freely.   Now I could bring the door full aft and remove the whole assy.

The jam was purely organic in origin. After years of mouse urine adulterating the parts, the lower runner was fused to the lower track.  And as you can see from these pictures,  the track is terribly corroded. I'm not sure I can salvage the lower track runner, but I'll see how it looks after cleaning it up.  May need to get one fabricated.

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General Discussion / Re: Darrin Door - stuck open, cannot close

« on: March 03, 2024, 04:36:18 PM »

thanks Joe -- I'll be getting to the car tomorrow and will give your idea a go.   I've got dowels here at home so I'll grab a few to take along.

7

General Discussion / Re: Darrin Door - stuck open, cannot close

« on: March 01, 2024, 11:34:47 AM »

Terry, Joe -- thanks for your insight.

Total removal of the upper and lower door channels sounds like the way I will proceed. 

However,   I can't picture how to access the upper door channel.  (The lower is easy, of course.) I won't be at the car until Monday but I'll take a closer look at where/how the upper channel is fastened and figure it out.  Since the car is in pre-restored condition, I'm not concerned about damage to the finish, so that's a plus. 

After examining the car, I may ask for further advice on how to remove the upper channel with the door attached.   Thanks guys!

8

General Discussion / Darrin Door - stuck open, cannot close

« on: February 29, 2024, 10:01:18 PM »

hello again -- happy to report I was able to remove the passenger door just fine.

Unfortunately ..... the driver's side door is not cooperating with the grand plan.  (In fact, it's being downright disrespectful if you ask me!! )

Driver side door is open and will not budge shut.   I've tugged,  I've pushed, I've jiggled, I've worked it back and forth.  Nothing.

It's as though there's a mechanical mechanism locking it open.   If it was organic (mouse nest, corrosion, locked up runner, etc.) I'd think it would at least pretend to move, or give me some tiny bit of movement.....  but nothing.

I've loosened the Lower Runner Guide (removed all screws) and jiggled again.  I've re-attached the Lower Runner Guide to give the door some purchase as I tug at it.

Nothing.  Not moving.   I have no idea how to proceed.  Any suggestions from those who've been there before me?  As usual, many thanks in advance.

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General Discussion / Re: Are these parts recognized? Darrin Parts?

« on: February 29, 2024, 09:54:29 PM »

Thanks everyone!

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General Discussion / Are these parts recognized? Darrin Parts?

« on: February 23, 2024, 03:49:02 PM »

Does anyone recognize these as Darrin parts?  The longer pieces have "Herron Zimmers Mldg. Co." engraved and the smaller clamp has "Super strut 700 1/2  TWO" engraved.    If so, any idea what group they belong to?   Lastly, I'm guessing the round piece might be for a medallion, but if so, where does it belong?

Thanks in advance!

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General Discussion / Re: Darrin Brake Pedal "stem and plate" removal from pedal arm

« on: February 10, 2024, 11:18:06 AM »

Thanks -- will give it a try!   **** EDIT:  worked perfectly, thanks JoeFrazer.  I used a block of wood to brace the clutch pedal away from the firewall, then applied heat to the pedal arm "receiver" for a few seconds;  then, tapped on the nut (backed out to protect the threads) on the pedal shaft -- the shaft popped out.    The brake pedal wasn't as easy:  it wouldn't budge, so I couldn't get it away from the firewall.  Instead I removed the pin where the pedal arm attaches to the master cylinder assy (it's not an "eccentric bolt" as indicated in the service manuals.... odd??) which allowed the pedal shaft assy to move freely.   Keeping it away from the firewall, I applied heat, tapped, and it came out.   Thanks again!

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General Discussion / Darrin Brake Pedal "stem and plate" removal from pedal arm

« on: February 09, 2024, 02:13:23 PM »

hi all -- I may have the part names wrong, but trying to figure out how to remove the brake pedal shaft (stem?) that passes through the firewall from the pedal arm in the engine area.  (The clutch pedal is engineered exactly the same).  There is a single nut that appears to hold this stem to the pedal arm -- but even after removing that nut, the stem will not release from the pass-through hole on the pedal arm.  I'm hitting it with Kroil everytime I visit the car, but it won't budge.  Can I loosely attach the nut (to protect the threads) and gently tap ?  It's hard to keep the whole assy from moving.  Is that pass-through hole is threaded?    Any suggestions?   (I looked but didn't see any other topics on this exact issue in the forum... )

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Darrin Forum / Re: Trunk Latch Removal

« on: January 19, 2024, 06:09:38 PM »

Yep!  That did it.   Thanks Joe.  Much appreciated.

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Darrin Forum / Trunk Latch Removal

« on: January 17, 2024, 09:01:44 PM »

Any advice?  Can't figure out how to remove the trunk latch assembly (Darrin).  I removed the cotter pin and retention ring, but there appears to be some sort of square peg preventing the cylinder from sliding out (see pics).   Anyone have an idea how to remove this square block -- or do I even HAVE to?  Perhaps I am going about this the wrong way?  Once I get the cylinder out, any tips to remove the escutcheon?  Thanks!!

15

General Discussion / Re: Dash knob removal on Darrin

« on: January 15, 2024, 01:39:52 PM »

I'm responding to an old post, I realize!  (Not sure if notifications are sent out to such replies?)  I'm having same issue with removing knobs.....  Gordy, your suggestion hasn't yielded results for me.   Can I spray some Kroil in there to help unfreeze the innards or might it create unanticipated negative consequences?   Thanks!