1146 replies to this topic

[minimuk]

nice one Hugh, minisport does those cheaper, just bought some to, what paint do you use for the calipers? one hour a day still a lot every dayall those little jobs getting done, perfect winter job

[markmmini]

Hello Hugh, Mark here - I must say I'm in awe having read all the way through your build, I had no idea you'd been through so much, what a emotional roller coaster! When I saw it at Christmas it certainly didn't look like so much metal had been replaced (that's a compliment to your new found skills!)

Not sure whether reading your posts has been an inspiration or a deterrent! I don’t know if I’d be brave enough or committed enough to go through all that!

Looking forward to reading on as things progress and hopefully seeing it up and running soon!

(Look out if I ever do manage to get myself a wee project, I might need you on speed dial!)

[hughJ]

iDemonix, Mayfair696 I do appreciate the encouragement. Thank you.

Graham as usual - appreciate your comments. I just used the old bolts, I torqued them to 40 ft/lbs or whatever the units are!! Seemed a sensible average. I did use new seals between the two halves.

minimuk thank you, I just used silver engine paint - it came to hand!!

Hello Mark you will do fine. Just start! I am not particularly skilled with my hands but am stupid enough to try it. I'm also a bit older than most of the others but I managed to learn to weld, sort of. Old dogs and new tricks!

Well I can't resist an update. I will probably pay with a lot of back pain. But my oldest son (I have a 25 year old son - can hardly believe it) was home for a couple of days so I got him to help turn the Mini over. I have been doing it myself till I upset my back! That was Tuesday night.



I went out tonight and me being me it took 2½ cold hours - but look!!





The rear subframe is in. Its starting to look like a car again. I'm ecstatic.

I should point out that in my struggles to align bolt holes and get the bolts in I have scratched some of the paint. A pity but can't be helped, by me anyway. Will touch up some time.

Rolling along

A very happy Hugh

Edited by hughJ, 19 January 2012 - 10:17 PM.

[minifcd]

Great work hugh. I'm waiting for the warmer/lighter nights before I consider doing anything to mine after work. Takes too long to get the garage warm! The green and black look quite good together.

[vaughn1]

Looking excellent hugh, really moving along now. look forward to more updates.

[deebo]

looks fantstic hugh, well done! the green and black do look good together

[hughJ]

My thanks - minifcd, vaughn1 and deebo. I am looking forward to warmer nights. I am in the north of Scotland and no heater in the garage - a real man!! I always work with the door open as I hate the welding cylinder being in there but I do get cold.

Just a tiny update - fitted new drive shaft gaiters and then built up the bibs and bobs on the drivers side - still have to fit the brake pads.



Not much but a little further along

Hugh

[grahama]

Sooooooooo jealous Hugh !!! You'll be on the road far sooner than Matt will be ! Are your front break hoses exactly the same as I have heard they are handed. The rubber ones I have bought are exactly the same !!

Don't think I haven't noticed the braided brake lines my man, that's some serious showing off, lol !!!

Graham

[mini danny]

Jesus really coming along now and looking amazing as usual think i need to get ass into gear Haha

Danny

[CLM]

Amaizing hugh! It has wheels on it!... at least the back... I am impressed

Chris

[hughJ]

Hi Graham - you like my braided lines - they were on offer on Ebay - couldn't resist. I found out that they are handed, the silly way!! It never entered my head. One has a deeper bolt hole then the other - that should be on the driver's side where the T-piece union bolts into it. Of course I had it the other way round and nearly damaged the threads!!

Thanks Danny - I wish it was as good as you think. I hope that was a a prayer!

Chris - it is good to have the wheels on - I keep going in to look at it. For a while things were going so slow, not that its exactly fast, now! It should not be too long till the front subframe is ready.

Going to have two hour goes today - here's the first.

Fitted the pads. You can clearly see where the solvent lifted my paint!! But it will soon be rust again so never mind.



Now to tackle all this rust and dirt on the left side. Why can't MOT centres not call it the left side - I get all mixed up with this near side and off side!







They should be 'beautiful' by the end of next week. Got the hub stripped and cleaned up.



So it's covered in Kurust now. Will go out to the garage later. Give this old back a wee rest.

Cleaning along

Hugh

[CLM]

Now to tackle all this rust and dirt on the left side. Why can't MOT centres not call it the left side - I get all mixed up with this near side and off side!

Hugh

You are telling me! I am so glad we don't use rather non-descript terms like that over here, left hand right hand.. sooo easy! Offside Nearside.. almost as bad as those nautical terms!

Chris

[hughJ]

I said there would be a second go today - ended up a bit more than an hour!

Yes Chris - wiser over your side of the Atlantic!

I bought new track rod ends - I had intended just using the old ones and had painted them but the boots were damaged using my ball joint splitter. New boots were almost the same price as new track rod ends. So a nice easy job - and they look nicer.



So I fitted the steering rack - I just wanted to have another more major bit fitted - it gets tightened properly when the steering wheel is fitted. It just makes me feel I am getting somewhere.



Then it was cleaning up the other calliper.

I've left the pistons, the nipple and the hose in - better than masking tape. I had already freed the pistons in the Xmas holiday.



And some Kurust



And finally separated the drive shaft - gave it a clean and a lick of paint - it will soon rust away under there!



So more fiddly jobs but they have to be done.

Moving along

Hugh

Edited by hughJ, 21 January 2012 - 06:00 PM.

[Andrew O]

Looking sweet Keep it up

[mini danny]

Looking amazing once again :)