452 replies to this topic

[Alburglar]

Started two jobs this…. CONTINUED

Removing the rear subframe and cutting the floor.

First I supported the rear subframe with a piece of wood and my trolley jack.

I then cut away a section of the rear bench so that I could get to the floor where it needs to be cut.

I then made my initial cut in the floor. (29" from box section under front seats).

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[Alburglar]

Here is a view of the underside of the car

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[Alburglar]

Next I turned my attention to the removal of the rear sub frame.
I tried to do it properly but all the nuts on the sub frame mountings were lumps of rust.
So I did it the easy way and cut it out. Starting with the front set of rear sub frame mountings..

Working from inside the boot, I removed the nuts that hold the dampers in place. This allows you to pull the damper clear and the whole suspension arm and hub move down towards the floor.

Working underneath the car remove the bolt that fix the inside end the suspension arm to the subframe
I then used the grinder to cut through the bolt on the outside of the sub frame. These bolts fix the suspension arm to the sub frame mounting.
Once this is done the whole suspension arm, hub and damper can simply be pulled away from the sub frame.
Repeat the same procedure on the other side of the car.

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[Alburglar]

Working from inside the boot again. Grind the heads off the bolts that fix the boot floor to the sub frame mountings at the rear corners of the car. Two bolts per side.

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[Alburglar]

This is a pointless shot of what it looks like when you've done it

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[Alburglar]

Once this is done, remove the trolley jack and one swift kick sees the whole rear sub frame drop to the floor.

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[Alburglar]

I then cut a small section of the floor out.

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[Alburglar]

Next I cut out the remaining upright section of the rear bench.

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[Alburglar]

sorry these pics are a bit dark.
If you click on them and enlarge them they are much clearer

[Alburglar]

Then a large section of the boot floor was cut away.

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[Alburglar]

I then started to cut off any remaining edges and get a nice finish with a grinding disk.
It was a this point the rear valance fell apart. I knew it was rusty but it was actually only being held together by expanding foam. So I made good by chopping the whole thing off.
Sod it. It’ll save weight won’t it.

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[Alburglar]

Seeing as I am gonna drive this every day all year round I thought I would try and keep the wheel arches, but we’ll see how practical that is when the kit turns up.

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[Alburglar]

Oiling a bike chain is essential, so…
…Today I bought a clever little device that constantly drips oil onto the drive chain whenever the engine is switched on and obviously the chain is rotates as your driving, so the whole chain gets oiled.

It is called a scott oiler and is available from most bike shops. I went for the touring kit which has a massive oil reservoir. They are gravity fed and it is activated by the vacuum on the carb, you just need to connect it up.

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[Alburglar]

I also decided that retaining the wheel arches wasn’t so practical as I would make the initial lining up of the cage a nightmare, and that is one of the most crucial jobs.
Don’t want a wonky car do we!

I could always bond some plastic ones on later…
…and I think I am slightly addicted to my angle grinder now!

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[Alburglar]

…and the arch on the other side removed.

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