Once again, neglect of my Project is something I have been suffering from over the past few weeks. However, this was not down to "Don't wanna do it anymore" syndrome. I had a big birthday bash - I turned 40, and this car was my present from Mrs Bounce - she's awesome! So, full of far too much alcohol, curry and good wishes (plus some doubtless terrifying photos to come...) it was time to crack on once more.
I had reached the stage where I couldn't really progress too much further without taking the car off its wheels; the question was: which end to start with? The car was purchased back in June last year, with previous owner Andy stating "Condition of Rear Beam is unknown". I had tapped it with a screwdriver (seemed solid enough...
) and taken a huge chance - the car had been off the road for 11 years and if the bolts on the floor were anything to go by, it was not going to be pretty.
First thing was first - I put the rear end on axle stands and set about undoing the main brake pipe to splitter union. Amazingly it undid after a hefty bit of pressure on the spanner, and a minor amount of fluid dripped on the floor. I also undid the unions on the flexi-pipes and took the splitter and pipes off entirely. The plan was to try to remove the beam and radius arms in its entirity.
Next up were the main bolts holding the beam to the heelboard. As it was just me working on the car, I had to make sure the bolts were clamped (I used Molegrips on the ones in the middle) and managed to jam a spanner on the top of each of the end bolts. The bottom end bolts were somewhat more complicated. Thankfully, one side was easy and the washer inside the car is "D" shaped, which allowed me to undo it without any issues at all. The driver's side however just turned and the only way I could get anything on the nut was to use the open-end of the spanner vertically above it; I needed to hold it there, which meant I couldn't turn the nut on the other end. Massive thanks to Mrs Bounce who had her first encounter with a ratchet spanner and coped admirably!
Next up were the nuts on top of the coilovers. Driver's side was a piece of cake. No issues at all. Other side? Hopelessly rusted solid. After several attempts to try to get them shift without any luck, I reached for the good old Dremel and cut them off. What the hell - they're being replaced anyway. I love Power Tools...
Using copious amounts of leverage with the "F" screwdriver and supporting the beam on the jack, I eased it off the car. I then removed one wheel and the coilovers and it was off. Inspection revealed it to have no more than surface rust. I am exceptionally happy about this and I actually believe it may have been replaced at some point as it appears in pretty good condition. I will strip it down, treat the rust and see what else needs reconditioning apart from the brakes. The radius arms, although rusty, are well-greased and look in fairly good order! Woo-hoo!
The beam - you're comin' off sonny!
Brake splitter - may need to be renewed...
Splitter and pipe now off.
Driver's side nuts no problem...
...but I had to resort to power tool violence with the other side.
Beam lowered
Coilovers off. I have no idea what they are as they're so rusty. Maybe I'll pressure wash them to find out?
One side with minor surface rust...
...and the other. I am a happy boy!!