Giving an old S3 army girl a new lease of life

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Not much further progress despite the weather! Managed by raise the funds to replace the headlights by selling my maltese cross grill on ebay.

Now looking to strip out axles/diffs etc. Where do I start? Is there an easy order in which to do things rather than the "which nut is loosest" method?

Sorry folks, another question.....

Three of my springs are held together with bent bits of metal like this.



And one set is far more refined and held together with a nut and bolt like this.



Is one correct? Or is either acceptable?

And when I get them off do I split them up, remove the rust, protect them and then replace or is it more technical than that??????

Sorry but I am getting deep into unknown territory for me. :confused:
 
Went for it today to try and find my way around the suspension.
Shackle bit removed.





Bolt removed from shock.



Very corroded rear of cylinder.



Gradually coming off.



Very stubborn brake drum!



End bit of axle removed and cleaned.



Other shackle bolt out.



The axle will probably move so let's disconnect it.



4 bolts removed and it releases.





Not sure what this is but I took it off!



Took the U bolt things off!





Springs released.



Finally got the drum off.



 
Spring off!



Axle looking clean.



Clean drum.



Primed one coat.



Spring separated for cleansing.



Rust removed, first primer coat applied.



Ready for finishing tomorrow.



Now to read up on how the brakes work!!!
 
Not sure what this is but I took it off!




Axle breather.Essential bit of kit. Make sure it's not clogged with crap if refitting- or replace with new.
 
Thanks for the help guys; my online ref. book strikes again!

Had a really good day yesterday.

Got my rear driver side springs back together and ready for storage.



Started on the rear passenger side.



Had real trouble freeing the nuts on the u bolts but lots of WD40, a scaffold bar and brute force worked in the end.





Finally freed the axle straps, I hope these are easy to source because mine are very badly corroded.



And the back axle is off!



A little help from my feathered friends!



The shocks fine externally once cleaned but is it worth replacing them?:confused:



Then I had a closer look at the chassis.........
 
My chassis!

With all the bits attached to it it looked fine. However, once bits are removed you can see a little closer and ................

This is the pile of dust removed from one of the outriggers!



Removed the end section ready for replacement tomorrow. For those of you that have been following this thread from early on: I have completed my Level 1 City and Guilds Welding Course, got myself a decent arc kit and am now happily welding my own stuff!!



On the other side it seems that a new part has been welded on over the top of a badly rusted section and then filler used to make it look nice. Now that I know, not sure if I'll feel safe hanging my springs from there!!



So it had to go and a section of the main chassis.





So I can renew the main section tomorrow and have just ordered a replacement with spring hanger from Paddocks.
 
So long since I've posted anything- forgotten where I'd got to. Nobody warned me that it seemed quite straight forward until you got to the chassis!!!

Anyway, shiny bits and home brew!



How do you get the shocks off, this nut just keeps spinning and nothing will hold it tight!



Rear springs sorted, new brackets installed and ready for a top coat ,lots of grease and returning when chassis ready.

 
Eventually got both petrol tanks off.



Had to cut a hole in the outrigger to get to a rounded nut that wouldn't move.



Than filled hole with new plate and refitted the tub bracket.



But not before welding tight an internal nut for refitting the fuel tanks when I come to putting this jigsaw back together.
 
Then had a go at getting the exhaust off.









Got it eventually.



Bracket looks a bit ropey with a rusted silencer.



So cut out the corroded section.



Then rivetted, welded and gun gummed a replacement section on. I know I'm a cheap skate but this whole project was supposed to come in at less than £2000!
 
Exhaust starting to look much tidier.





Just needs finishing and it can go into storage with all the other bits. However, I do feel that I'm approaching the point when I can start putting bits back on!!
 
Started to take other bits off the engine block this weekend to reduce the weight and make removing it easier.

After advice managed to to turn this bit (is it really called a dog?)



Had to jam this cog with a screw driver to stop everything turning. (As you can tell my engineering vocabulary needs some development)



Came off eventually.



Leaving various bits exposed.





Then tried to take the timing cover off but it wouldn't shift.



Until I realised you had to release some of the sump bolts



Then terrified myself when I exposed this!!!



Proper engineering.......................
 
Long time no pictures. These pictures are from the last couple of months although I don't feel I've got much done.

Cleaning up the manifold.









Replacing the dumb irons.









What's this called?



Propshafts off.



Fighting with the handbrake.











More to come later
 
Cleaning up the shocks.



Decided on a bit of bling.



Starting to clean up the rear axle.











Starting to get the gearbox off.



Getting some of the tub supports cleaned down and red oxided.



bugger. Think I bought the wrong front shocks. They said they were for a Series 3 LWB. Why are mine so much bigger?

 
Looking good. Had my na engine out for rebore, about to get it back to put it all together again. Like you I just hope I remember which bits go where!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top