myotherworld
Active Member
- Posts
- 182
- Location
- Birmingham
Hi ,I bought one from a breaker for thirty pounds,one of the plates was rusted away but
The tubes were good.I fabricated a new plate from sheet metal wire brushed the whole thing down to bare metal ,welded in the new plate and finished with three coats of rust inhibiting paint .Replacing it is a pain I unfastened hand break cable both sides,unbolted the
Long axle stabaliser bars got support under the sub frame and loosened four bolts connecting sub frame to car ,I did not completely undo them at this stage.I already had the prop shaft of as I was replacing bearings at the same time. I did not fancy removing the exhaust as it was rusted solid. I proped up the tank which I had driven till it was almost empty,and removed the four bolts which hold on the cradle .I then undid the two plastic clips that secure the flat metal section of the cradle.I then dropped the subframe as far as it would go ,With out completely disconnecting it and tried to wriggle the cradle out .I was beat by a fraction of an inch.I then undid the front two bolts completely and was able to
Tilt the subframe slightly forward and the cradle eventually came out.would have been easier if the exhaust was removed but it is only the rust that was holding it together.Fitting the reconned one was just the reverse and actually was not that hard. I am very lucky to
have a two post ramp in my shed,which makes this much easier it would be possible to
Do it with jacks axle stands ect if your young and fit . Rebuilding the old cradle is not that hard as long as the curved parts of the tubes are strong,you are a dab hand at welding and have the time and patience to do it .I was pretty pleased with mine and it passed MOT no problem. I am now rebuilding my old cradle .
thanks for the info.
looking forward (not) to doing this when its not ****ing it down. march time maybe.