Work started

[Gremlin]

New update as normal for me nothing goes according to plan, I had fully intended to have all the rebushing done while I took some holiday how ever every thing stopped because when I opened the pack containing the big diff bush the steel centre sleeve was missing and right on top of bank holiday weekend eurocar parts didn't have another so had one sent from power flex direct who sent through the 2 big washers not the centre part, so another phone call and another wait. Then to top it off the complete set of steel brake pipes I'd ordered arrived and where wrong system so I had to send those back and the guy made up another set which I've now got. So today I've been out and started to put her back together.

 

[t-tony]

These things are sent to try us mate. Chin up, crack on

Tony.

 

[Low Rider]

It has been a lot of work to get to this stage. In the end I had to get my mate at where my car is mot to get old bushes out after trying to push them out with a 20 ton pressure press he had to burn them out with a blow torch because they wouldn't budge. He welded up the small holes in corner of swinging arms and pushed out wheel bearings fitted new and fitted the new brake back plates. ive now got it back home cleaned it down primed and painted with stone chip paint, fitted new bushes and going to start putting it back in car tomorrow.

Your work has improved the look of the rear end loads. A cracking job done.

 

[DavidM]

The

New update as normal for me nothing goes according to plan, I had fully intended to have all the rebushing done while I took some holiday how ever every thing stopped because when I opened the pack containing the big diff bush the steel centre sleeve was missing and right on top of bank holiday weekend eurocar parts didn't have another so had one sent from power flex direct who sent through the 2 big washers not the centre part, so another phone call and another wait. Then to top it off the complete set of steel brake pipes I'd ordered arrived and where wrong system so I had to send those back and the guy made up another set which I've now got. So today I've been out and started to put her back together.

What you are doing and the obstacles experienced calls for a lot of patience and persistence - great work!

 

[Sean d]

I'm planning to do the same over the winter but with standard bushes, we powerflexed a rally car years ago and it it was bloody stiff to say the least, after one event we removed them and fitted OEM.

 

[Gremlin]

The


What you are doing and the obstacles experienced calls for a lot of patience and persistence - great work!

Thank you as I said not at all easy on your own. To put the rear beam and diff back in I actually made up a plywood box that the diff sat in and I could pivot it on drive shafts to Aline prop shaft flange. I cut a hole in the bottom of box that just fitted over the pad on the trolley jack so it couldn't slip of, once attatched to prop I was able to gently jack the hole beam and diff onto beam location pins. Once that was in I fitted the swinging arms back in with believe it or not my girl friend who got down and dirty lol.

 

[Jack Ratt]

[QUOTE Once that was in I fitted the swinging arms back in with believe it or not my girl friend who got down and dirty lol.[/QUOTE]

Got any pics ?

 

[Gremlin]

[QUOTE Once that was in I fitted the swinging arms back in with believe it or not my girl friend who got down and dirty lol.

Got any pics ? [/QUOTE]
Pictures of the box I made not here at this moment but will take a couple if you like when I'm able to.

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

I don't think pictures of the box was what he was after.

 

[Gremlin]

I don't think pictures of the box was what he was after.

I only have the pictures I have already put on here. This is best I can do with pictures till I put some more back together on car.

 

[Gremlin]

Been out side today putting all the interior back in. I think if I'd realised what I was taking on when I embarked on this project it may not of happened it is becoming a long pull for one guy on his own but can't stop now. I have now replaced all the bushes underneath with the power flex bushes replaced all shocks, replaced all the metal brake pipes and upgraded the flexible ones with stainless braided ones and ABS sensors pad wear sensors, rear wheel bearings.
I am now going to start stripping of all the body work and prepair chassis for new rear and front wings, and body kit, I'm not sure weather to fit the new top before or after respray. I know one thing for sure it's drivining me mad not being able to drive her and can't wait to get back behind her wheel.
Has any one on here ever fitted a soft top I'd be interested in how difficult it's going to be.

 

[Antm72]

Did you remove it in 3 pieces ?

 

[Gremlin]

Did you remove it in 3 pieces ?

If you mean the rear beam no it came out in one complete set up. I then stripped it. When I put it back I mounted the diff in the carrier and the set the beam back in then replaced the swinging arms and drive shafts. It made it easier for me on my own not such a big unruly mass lol.

 

[Antm72]

Was it difficult to get the arms bolted back in ? Mine has to be done and thinking removing in 3 pieces may be the easiest way to go

 

[g8jka]

I think @gookah removed his one piece at a time?!

 

[t-tony]

I think @gookah removed his one piece at a time?!

I thought that was Johnny Cash ................................................... Oh, sorry rear suspension

Tony.

 

[Jjim]

Removed the soft top on mine last weekend to fit a complete roof from a doner car. Not a bad job, just need to have some good sealant to use when reinstalling it.

When removing and reinstalling the roof it's best to mask and protect the bodywork as best as possible, and best to have 2 people as the roof and mechanism flex and move around a fair bit.

 

[gookah]

I think @gookah removed his one piece at a time?!

that's because when my car needs some work doing, both my sons are always 'busy' or 'have to go out'
strange that.....

 

[Gremlin]

Was it difficult to get the arms bolted back in ? Mine has to be done and thinking removing in 3 pieces may be the easiest way to go

Sorry I missed your question. I would try and remove it as one it would easier in my opinion I say this because if it's as caked up with muck as mine was to undo the bolts in the swinging arms would be very difficult. You can strip it clean it all up. Clean the threads on the bolts and it will go back in 3 parts.
I also used 3 trolley jacks one each end of beam and one under diff.

 

[Gremlin]

Removed the soft top on mine last weekend to fit a complete roof from a doner car. Not a bad job, just need to have some good sealant to use when reinstalling it.

When removing and reinstalling the roof it's best to mask and protect the bodywork as best as possible, and best to have 2 people as the roof and mechanism flex and move around a fair bit.

Shame you are so far away I'd have asked you to give me a hand with mine now you've done one so they say you know what you are doing lol.