620 replies to this topic

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

that even on a fast road kit me thinks i have found my future suspension mod

[Bean]

Just go and see him! He's a really helpful chap!

He's got a demonstrator with the 'Town' spec on, too - But that one's not available at the moment. But the 'Fast Road' demonstrator was unbelievable!!


(Quite nippy for an Auto, too! )

[analogue_radio]

They look mint, really jealous Bean!

[benb12]

So if the fast road ones iron out the bumps, what do you think the town spec ones would be like?

[Ethel]

Surely the van will still have tax exempt status - what you do with it has nothing to do with its historic value: the issue is whether you claim it. Isn't the cost of your road tax deductible as a business expense anyway?

Could that be the issue, has someone being trying to deduct their freebie?

[Jordie]

I think you can use it as historic taxation class. Maybe ask AC Kirk? (guy on here who used his van for courier deliveries)

Either way, it can be transferred back to historic when the vehicle is either sold on or not used for "business" by simply going to your local DVLA office to do this.

Dvla information isnt the best either, http://www.dvla.gov....flets/inf34.pdf

[Bean]

Thanks guys - I will look into it! I'm sure there's got to be a way around these things

First thing's first though - to get it built


The past couple of days have been quite productive.

We went down to the 'Batcave' where Frankie's living! Had a massive sort-out of parts etc. (We've got so much stuff down there, it's all got muddled up whether it's for the pickup or the van! So I think we're all set!)


We bought the subframe/suspension parts back up to the house and started cleaning them up ready to put it all together!


I got some nearly new top arms from Tim @ MiniMail. I also bought some genuine engine mounts, some subframe bolts, locktabs, and a couple of other bits and bobs ...

We've also got some driveshafts and hubs from a spare setup that I've had here for years


So we've separated the hub, driveshaft from the flange and disk. But only on the one side. The other one just won't come apart! The hub nut is SO tight. We wedge the disk in place with a crowbar... attached a breaker bar to the hub nut. Didn't work. Attached a scaffold pole to the breaker bar. Didn't work. Extended the scaffold pole with another one.... didn't work!

.... bent the breaker bar and crowbar!


So, we gave up on that for now and we've cleaned everything up and checked over all the bearings etc. There's no play in any of it, so it's looking very good!!


Piccys to come in a bit - We left it all outside drying last night!

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

coolio good work you not got an air gun that should get the hub nut free

[Bean]

I know we've got a compressor here, but whether there's an airgun, I'm not sure! Will have to have a look, cheers!


*skips outside to paint other top arm*

[mini93]

see if u can take the drive shaft to a local garage so they can use a whizzy gun on it....usualy easier when on the car with the car on the ground so you can get some good leverage without chance of it moving

[Bean]

If we can't get it off, I think we will have to do that The guy that we use is very good, so he'll be able to do it for me, cheers David!


(I don't know why it's so bloomin' tight, lol - It's stupid!)

[mini93]

its torqued very high as normal, and might have also seized since then, when assembling give it some copper grease to aid it in the future.

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

I love copper grease

*runs to the shed to eat some*

lol i just love the colour of it and how great it work especially on brake pads

[Bean]

All of the reassambled bolts are getting a healthy dose of copper grease!

[Bean]

Here we go!


Top Arm:




Hub:







Drive shaft:




Steering Rack (If you can see it amongst the clutter! ) :