1514 replies to this topic

[Carlos W]

I've had a really busy weekend, unfortunately, not involving the mini.

Saturday I stripped the brakes on the wifes car as she said it was making noises.

The car is 3 years old with 33k miles and full service history, obviously the full service doesn't include taking the brakes apart, cleaning, greasing and putting them back together. Anyway, in the afternoon we went to a mates for a birthday party so that was a good laugh.

Then yesterday we had people coming round for Sunday roast so I spent all day slaving over a hot stove.


Today however, I got into the garage for a major sort out! A mate of mine has agreed to store the doors and glass so I've got more room! I've then re-arranged all the boxes of bits and pieces, cleared the work bench and......


Mounted a vice.

I put the hubs in, and managed to get the ball joints undone, and removed the pins that go between the hubs and the steering arms!

I'll get these bits painted up this week!

[Brams96]

Cracking on, good stuff. Must be nice to be able to see your bench again

Edited by Brams96, 08 May 2012 - 05:26 AM.

[Carlos W]

The bench is well lit too!

I have some more tidying up to do, then i'll have loads of space to work!

Next challenge is to remove the bearings from the upper arm, I might as well replace them!

[Carlos W]

I'm enjoying painting bits






Tomorrows task is to look at rear 1/4 panel fitting

Edited by Carlos W, 19 May 2012 - 06:12 PM.

[hughJ]

Carlos they look edible!! Of course you cook your parts!

Hugh

Edited by hughJ, 19 May 2012 - 08:52 PM.

[Carlos W]

Thanks Hugh,

I've just remembered, there's the rear valance closing panel to put in before trial fitting the rear 1/4 tomorrow!

When I think about it, there's only 2 rear 1/4s, sills, 2 inner wings, a front end, and that hole in the roof to do, then the shell is done!

Ha Ha Ha

[Carlos W]

Today was a day of mixed emotions!

After deciding not to go to L2B due to the rubbish weather forecast it was time to crack on with the car!

The rear valance closing panels were cut in two then fitted in two pieces!

Then came to rear 1/4 fitting and it was nowhere near where it was meant to be! The car has been involved in a rear end crash at some point, and everything involving the offside rear corner has been a nightmare.

Anyway, after about 6 hours of clamping, some cutting, spot welding etc we have this


Still needs ground back


Plug welds need dressed still

It looks like a car again!

[grahama]

Looks like a good job to me Carlos !!

Have you cut the panel to fit the frame, or the frame to fit the panel. Is there any creasing in the shell or are we talking small amounts out, but annoyingly hard to fit round??

How much bodywork left Carlos??

Graham

[Carlos W]

Small amounts out, the wheel arch didn't line up too well!

There are no creases in the panel though, adjustments weren't that extreme

I'm going to de-seam it so there will be a skim of filler here and there!

It will all be welded from the inside, then cut the lip off!

This is going to take another half day to finish, then there's the other rear 1/4 to do, inner wings, front end, hole in roof and sills!

I cut the old inner wings off today too, it has made some extra room in the garage. I remembered to remove the vin plate before chucking the wings in the scrap pile!

[Carlos W]

I went into the garage yesterday, severely hung over! I drilled holes in the wheel arch lip in order to plug weld to the rear 1/4, I welded them up and it just kept popping off!

So I gave up!

I went down after work today and welded the inner seam where the rear 1/4 meets the rear panel in order to prepare for cutting the lip off which I will do at the weekend

[kcchan]

Your doing a good job, keep at it!

[Carlos W]

Your doing a good job, keep at it!

Thanks!

I'm changing my shift pattern over the summer to work 9 days a fortnight instead of 10 (compressing my hours) so hopefully this will give me a bit more time.

[Carlos W]

Tasks for the weekend include the mini and doing some touching up of paintwork in the bathroom

This morning was spent on the mini.

I roughly took back the welds where the rear 1/4 was fitted


Then started the deseaming



Then working my way upwards


There's a lot of filler, confirming the rear end damage at some point.

Unfortunately, I've run out of welding wire, and I'm running out of gas! I want my money for the Brands Hatch Mini Festival so welding wire will have to wait!

I also need some flexible sanding discs.

It's all about the money

[Carlos W]

OSR quarter deseamed now, it needs sanded with flexible discs to remove the harshness of the grinder, then a skim of filler and all will be wonderful!

Next task, fix the hole in the roof!

[grahama]

Hi Carlos,

nice work, agree a bit of filler and it will be mint, and according to the site UPOL Fantastic is the stuff to get, (not like me, doh !! ) Comming on a treat, is the other side done already, can't remember?

Graham