834 replies to this topic

[sonikk4]

Bugger trying to sort it out later when Scott gets back from work.

[sonikk4]

Looks like we had a high point in viewing or something as my photobucket account had not run out of bandwidth, Very very strange however just in case i've opened one just to be safe.

Today's trial's and tribulations consisted of the rear subframe build up.
Offered the subbie back up just to check everything was all right but yet again Satan farted in our faces and lo and behold one of the heelboard captive nuts failed. BUGGER BUGGER BUGGER. I did not know whether to cry or just smash the car with a big big stick.

So after contemplating falling on my sword we decided to take a fairly drastic step. I was going to drill out the old nut through the heelboard but instead we cut a large enough hole through the inner sill stiffener and found the nut had pulled away with part of the heel board stiffener not good. Now i thought i had done enough welding to keep this all from happening but obviously not.

So did this

closer view

you can see the nut and the distorted stiffener so i had to use a large drift to beat the nut back out of the way and to reposition the stiffener. Now we will use the bolt and a stiff nut to secure the subframe so at least its only this side that suffered.
The only good thing about all of this is its given me an idea for making a small removable plate in this area for situations like this.

Anyway we fitted one of these bad boys and they look good


So Scott then built up the rest of the subframe and it looks good. Not sure about the yellow brackets but for the moment i think Scott will stick with them.

[hughJ]

Oh Neil! You work so hard and then another problem comes along. You are an inspiration to us weaker willed people. But it is worth it - it all looks so nice, clean and new.

Hugh

[Deathrow]

Ouch!

How exactly did it come loose? Were you cranking down on the bolts a bit too much or just really really bad luck?

That subframe shouldn't be allowed on TMF, it's a bit...adult!

Also, I think (could be wrong) you have the rear subframe mounts on the wrong way. I think the lower bolt goes towards the front of the frame. Not that it actually makes any difference, personally I don't know why they're different heights in the first place.

EDIT: Nope, it would appear mine are the wrong way round according to Somerfords PDFs. That means they must have been the wrong way round for a loooong time.

[sonikk4]

Ouch!

How exactly did it come loose? Were you cranking down on the bolts a bit too much or just really really bad luck?

That subframe shouldn't be allowed on TMF, it's a bit...adult!

I think its down to bad luck to be honest. I do remember adding weld to the nuts but maybe i missed this one and no i was not cranking down on the bolts. My calibrated white knuckles were not over used.

And the subbie looks sexier in the flesh, he just needs some minifins to really add that extra stiffie enducing factor

[Deathrow]

I've just whipped back through the thread, did you replace the heelboard ends? I did find right at the start of the thread, you had a different set of wheels to what you do now .

Yeah Minifins are nice .

[sonikk4]

I replaced the complete heel board with what i was told at the time was a Heritage panel but i suspect it may not have been now. The heel board we got from the same lad that Scott bought the original black wheels off.

It just shows how things have mutated over the last 22 months.

[Deathrow]

It might well have been a heritage item, I've heard pretty bad things about how poorly the strengthening brackets are positioned and welded in place on heritage heelboards .

[sonikk4]

It might well have been a heritage item, I've heard pretty bad things about how poorly the strengthening brackets are positioned and welded in place on heritage heelboards .

Well its a lesson learnt, none of us are infallible so the next time i will weld everything to within an inch of its life

[grahama]

What bad luck pal, knowing you it will not cause you too much trouble though, just some mild frustration.

My nuts are still visible, oo er matron, so will add some weld to them while I can still see them.

Graham

[sonikk4]

Graham also add some extra weld (plug welds) to the bracket which the nuts are attached to as this section came away as well, not the bit welded to the inner sill obviously as ours is seam welded big stylee.

[valve bounce]

bad luck on the heel board nut, what ive done on one i the ones i repaired was weld a bit of 8mm plate to the heel board on the inside then postioned the subframe and then drilled and tapped the bit of plate and bolt the subframe up it worked very well the ps of the heel board was original so i was worried about getting the ds in the right place but this worked out perfect.

good luck with the rest of the build
rob

[Zac]

Hmmmmmm, makes me want a Big Mac.

[sonikk4]

After a couple of days beavering in the garage Scott and me have made Erm look my like a car than just a shell

After much swearing and cursing the front subframe went in





It was hard work and the moral to the story here is when you replace the front panel fit the bloody subframe first still a lesson learnt.
Anyway then the rear subframe leapt onto the car along with a Gaz shocker on both sides hopefully never to be taken off in a long while but we shall see,



Then it was back to the front again and on with the hubs and more shock absorbers



So now he's much heavier but looking good. Tomorrows little task will be to build 4 wheels.
Also forgot to add we also fitted the steering rack which to be honest was a pain as the U bolts had to be crushed in a vice to get them to fit plus one of them must have been made by Stevie Wonder. I'm surprised the damn thing fitted but it did. After market fittings can be very hit and miss

Edited by sonikk4, 15 June 2011 - 07:48 PM.

[lazytv]

Looking super. I'll be interested in tomorrows post to see how you get along with the wheels.

I have had some wellers shipped from the UK and powder coated recently and will be curious to see how you will put the rubber onto the rims as not to scratch the paint. Any tips would be great.