It's a good lorry — when it's going!
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IF Mr Scurlock (CM, February 9) had the trouble l have had in the last nine months, he wouldn't complain about his Scania.
I bought a 1980 ERF B-Series 26SL Rolls tractive unit secondhand. After having it for a week (May 1984) I discovered it was using a gallon of oil a day.
I took it back to the dealer I had bought it from and they agreed to do the engine up and lend me another lorry, as it was off the road for three weeks. It needed new rings and reconditioned cylinder heads.
In June 1984, oil started to run out of rear brake drum and I discovered an oil seal had gone, and the brake shoes needed replacing as oil had run on to shoes.
In July 1984 I had a succession of springs break all the rear helper leaves and two in a front spring. I eventually had to replace them with two new rear springs; whilst doing this I noticed the back axle was cracked.
In September 1984 I noticed oil starting to run out of the bell housing. After removing the gearbox I discovered the input shaft was loose and also the clutch plates were broken up; after doing this (good job I'm a trained mechanic) I had a month's work from the lorry and then one day when driving along a terrific howling noise came from under the cab. I stopped, and after inspection found the alternator had seized. We fitted a service exchange alternator (not to mention two new batteries and having to deal with numerous punctures).
In November 1984 the diff shattered. I had to fit a service exchange diff (the planetary gears had broken up). Whilst doing this job, I noticed oil was coming out of the same brake drum again!
I fitted new oil seals and brake shoes. It went for two weeks (December 1984) and exactly the same happened again; it ruined another set of brake shoes. This time I took the lorry to the local ERF dealer who seems to have cured the problem.
We then had Christmas; not a lot happened. In the first week of January a piston shattered. One new piston and valves were fitted. I had it back for one day and there was water going into the oil.
I took it back to the garage and they discovered a liner was cracked; after further inspection I decided to have new liners fitted. I then had two days' work from the lorry and the turbo went. A new turbo had to be put on. I now haven't had any trouble for two weeks!
After having all this trouble, I still think it's a good lorry when it's going! But it's the same with anything you buy secondhand. It's a shot in the dark unless you know the previous owner.
J. H. BENNETT
Caersws Powys Masefield we all hope this must mean the distinguished Past President of both the Chartered Institute of Transport and the Institute of Road Transport Engineers!
J. A. FLETCHER
Secretary Institute of Road Transport Engineers London SW7