Final Drive Task - Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd September 2014

On Monday myself and Isaac began and successfully completed the Final Drive practice task - which I did eventually enjoy as it happens!  Julian Jones was on hand to clearly demonstrate the methods involved in taking the rolling torque, backlash and cap spread measurements, and the unit was subsequently stripped and re-assembled to a very satisfactory standard.  I still found myself with a hacksaw in my hand, fabricating a suitably sized bolt with which to tightly secure the DTI cap spread measuring device to the final drive unit in order to get an accurate as possible reading though!  We were then assigned to, and successfully completed the practice Clutch Inspection task.  It was undertaken on a dead rig and went very well (apart from a bit of confusion regarding which bolts went where upon re-assembly).  This brought to the fore the requirement for myself to be both physically and mentally present at all possible times, and to encourage a logical and calm procedure in terms of parts placement during dis-assembly (physical absence due to sourcing 2 nuts from Workshop A/B for the bell housing rig mounting bushes (which were already missing) - whilst "Goose" went solo - lessons learned!  Tuesday saw us both initially undertaking practice measurements using a micrometer - which I happily report was very successful indeed (thank you David Catling for your persistence during level 1)!  We then both began our planning for the practice Alternator Inspection task, at which point Isaac came into his own yet again - smile! Having gathered all my information from the varying sources available over half an hour - and Issac from his incredible memory and prior knowledge in an instant, we then set about taking measurements of an alternator on a live rig using a multimeter.  Before we had a chance to actually R&R the alternator itself, we were visited by a College PR representative, accompanied by a journalist and a photographer who wanted pictures of our class in action. Josh and Wendy were photographed using the Hawkeye 4 wheel aligner and myself and Issac were both initially targeted for a cameo on the Hybrid.  I however was suspiciously quizzed as to whether or not I was actually a student (can't think why) and subsequently found myself relegated to spectator status, whilst Isaac was photographed inspecting under the bonnet of the hybrid (and there went my chance of being front cover of the Nuts magazine)! Unfortunately, due to a prior appointment at the COCH for the review of a snapped tendon in my left left thumb (incurred at work approximately 2 months ago), this prevented me from engaging in the afternoons activities. However all went well and I look forward to resuming the task on Monday as planned - (3 months recuperation time if operated upon now.  Basically I can't thumbs up with my left hand or form a bridge if I wanted to take up snooker)! - Walk on (Smile)!