13 replies to this topic

[andydclements]

Well, it was to be a simple get it through the MOT test bit of work, now that the subframe is off I can see it's not that simple.
The rear subframe is shot as are some of the fixings on it. The panel it secures to under the seat has holes in it as does the floor it secures to. The piece of meal that's inside the outer skin just in front of the rear wheel has gone both sides and so has the horizontal piece that's above it that should form part of the rear pocket. There is a hole in the boot floor in the wheel arch.

So, time to replace the subframe, do lots of welding and cleaning to get a good paint prep.
I may have to consider having the front welding done as well, the corner of the floor near the A panel has gone each side. the wings near the headlights have got lots of filler in.

I hadn't planned to start a big restoration yet, but do it later in the year. I may just do the necessary bits then go for full re-spray etc later.
Pics of the areas to come.

[Vix Baby Elf]

Hi i have just stared a compleate overhall of my elf and she has been off the road for about a year. the previous owner had a thing for seam sealer and had even filled the gutters in the roof (nice)
i am really pleased that there is someone else putting one of thses great little cars back on the road i LOVE mine and they are very few and far between . I cant wait to hear how you get on

[andydclements]

An in adjoining counties.

[998dave]

Don't leave me out, I've two Hornets, one in Suffolk at the moment, and a saloon here in Colchester!
Good to see more people starting though, get some piccies in and let us have a look!

Dave

[andydclements]

Today I will be kicking myself repeatedly
So far the causes are...
1) I had time Wednesday to clean up the areas for a neighbour to weld the panels in, but didn't on the basis it would be raining before he had a chance so get rusty again. It didn't rain, he came round Friday to find out if it's ready and it wasn't. Today, it's raining so I can't clean it up for him to do. Hopefully it will be dry tomorrow.
2) I cleaned the radius arms up and painted them the other day, noticed one of the brake adjuster wedges fell out and picked it up and kept it secure. Today I went to put the brakes back on, found the second wedge had fallen out of that one so still one missing. Only a few £s , but annoying and will delay me.

Oh well, better get some more done in the garage while the car is outside in the wet on the ramps.

[andydclements]

3) Cannot find specialist tool to fit brake cylinders & circlips. had to use circlip pliers & screwdrivers.

[998dave]

found the second wedge had fallen out of that one so still one missing. Only a few £s , but annoying and will delay me.

I've got some spare if you need one, but you'll have to pm me where to send it!?

[roofchoplofty]

Hello, ive got a hornet that im restoring. Ive done majority of the welding underneath and now its ready for paint and refit of running gear etc.

Its nice to hear that people are also doing something different to the norm.

keep up the good work.

Edited by roofchoplofty, 20 February 2011 - 10:01 PM.

[andydclements]

Cheers Dave, I just paid the few £s and bought a pair and an adjuster, I thought that way at least I'll have another spare (for if I ever loose another).

Go the horn working today. after pulling the switch apart, the column shroud off etc I found it was the fuse box (Fuse box! Two fuses, one for the horn and interior light, one for everything else). The constantly on fuse was suffering from corroded contacts, so the broken interior light wouldn't have worked even if it wasn't broken.

Hopefully go the wipers working on both switch settings (single speed motor) had some sort of time delay intermittent system fitted, so while fiddling pulled switch apart and may have lost bit. Not an issue really as it's all mounted in a massive wooden vinyl-covered shelf thing at forehead height, so want to get rid of that and swap to different switches anyway.


For the MOT that leaves the front brake pipe, getting the welding done (should be this week now that patches are all made) and then re-fitting the subframe, suspension and everything that goes with that (fuel tank, re-pressurising the Hydrolastics etc.

[andydclements]

Must look at things more carefully or in other words, use a lead light when I inspect a brake pipe.

Replaced one of the front brake pipes between the two slave cylinders, glanced at the other and thought from a distance it was already copper, couldn't work out why I'd have changed one already and not done the one with rust on that failed the MOT. Only after bleeding the brakes I realised the colour was rusty steel not copper. Tomorrow I have to replace the only remaining steel brake pipe and then re-bleed.

Today
Adjusted (lots of filing metal) rear arm brackets to get toe-in instead of toe-out, and correct camber
Refitted petrol tank
Refitted exhaust (couldn't find middle bracket, so will have to obtain oner and fit at later stage).
Pumped up suspension to correct height.
Adjusted brakes
Refitted battery and got it to start.


It's getting there. Bit of filling to do inside where the old metal remains despite new metal being outside (such as companion bins) then I can get the last bits done for the MOT test. It was nice to have it back on four wheels today even if it is still a few feet above the ground.

[andydclements]

Two steps forward, one step back. AGAIN.

Didn't get the brakes working correctly today, pedal takes a couple of pumps to get a decent pressure. Would assume either air in system (have had most pipes off for a couple of weeks while doing subframe) or shoes too far in so pumping pushes them out far enough. The only thing I've really changed is the valve at the rear, in reality I didn't change it, I used the one on the subframe that I purchased, so that was planned for a swap back to the original one, but before I got to it I decided I'd take the front wheels off and adjust the front brakes.......


Both Track Rod End gaiters gone. OK, nothing much, but I could only find one replacement.
Then I noticed the rust in the front corner of the footwell/ bulkhead area, and I prodded it. Oops. So the rest of the day was taken up with grinding, brushing and cutting & shaping panels to go in . I've now tacked them in place ready to have them welded on by somebody competent.

I'm so glad I bought a second-hand beam jack. it fits on the Carstages ramps and then I just pump it up and the who car is lifted off the ramps, locks into place mechanically (to protect me from hydraulic failure) and it's really stable.

The only other thing I managed to do today was replace the second front brake pipe between the two cylinders, so all copper now.

[roofchoplofty]

Keep at it, and you will be driving around in it soon.
Any pics?

[andydclements]

Brake issue identified, seals in master failed, so need to go and get a set Monday.
Driver's seatbelt didn't look well secured ( two bolts through floor with washers under the floor. Undid the bolts and found one part of the bracket was broken so really just one bold doing the job. Now fitted different style retractable one so it secures to the rear bin.
Carpets still drying so they are not yet in.
Rear bin trims fitted then it started to rain.

[andydclements]

Must get some new pictures taken, withe MOT test pass certificate.
I still have things I want to do before using it on the road but theoretically I could use it once it's taxed. There is a slight issue taxing it, I cannot find the V5C, so I'll either have to turn out every draw in the house or pay (£15 I think) and admit I've lost it.