front end removal

[herr schimdt]

im going to remove the front end of my car in about a weeks time as got loads of oil leaks and want to give every thing a good clean round the engine was just wandering if any one had done a photographic documentation of this as if they havnt i may do so my self may come in helpfull to someone else dont realy nead any pointers myself but some one might

[clipperjay]

Listen to safety and common sense if you have two axal stands under each wishbone, plus one under the gearbox also a jack with a block of hard wood to support the front end. Oh yeah two blocks of wood behind the rear wheels!
Rule of thumb if you are scared to go under there with what you have then other people wouldn't go under there either! Hence if it looks not safe? it proberly isn't!. Oh stick your spare wheel under there whist working it can take a pounding if anything fails so your carcas will not be completely squashed       
Here is roughly what I did!

[herr schimdt]

well what i am going to do is put the car up on ramps chock the rear end take off the bumper suport the engine and gearbox take out the lights take off the slam panel radiator ect whislst doing every thing safely remove the wires clean replace any thing nesecary and put it all back together oh and take some pics as i go to show others

[emery1990]

It's a doddle mate, all you need is a 10mm socket 17mm socket bit, I had a random 16mm socket bit a 13mm socket bit and a philips screwdriver (crosshead)  Only takes about 15 mins. oh try and heat up the bolts for the cross member etc, makes it sooooo much easier to undo them and take away the risk of snapping one like I did!

[herr schimdt]

i no its a doddle just wondered if it had been documented as every body isnt a mechanical god like you and me and some like to look at pictures instead of just reading not every one on here is practical but can be with help im just offering to help not asking for it

[emery1990]

Ahh thought ya needed help haha I'm no god mate! I could of done with a few pics of what bolts to take out etc! I'll prob take quite a few when taking the engine out and putting the abf in!

[X4MGS]

Ahh thought ya needed help haha I'm no god mate! I could of done with a few pics of what bolts to take out etc! I'll prob take quite a few when taking the engine out and putting the abf in!

Nothing in Haynes??

[herr schimdt]

only thing i use haynes for is torque wrench settings or loo roll
generally do everything by eye and if i get stuck theres the internet if we all use manuals thered be no need for forums

[X4MGS]

only thing i use haynes for is torque wrench settings or loo roll
generally do everything by eye and if i get stuck theres the internet if we all use manuals thered be no need for forums

Yeah there would... Manuals only cover how to fix something WHEN you know whats wrong with it...

Forums cover MUCH more....

[herr schimdt]

thats true the hardest part of mechanics is dignosis give me abox of bits and ill build you some thing give me sothing that wont work and ill have to find out why before i can fix it