53 replies to this topic

[nuclear_mini]

Thanks for the who's of encouragement! The car is original Clubman front, the rear windows were originally blanked off, but someone cut them out at some stage of its life. The biggest difference that Aussie cars have compared to the UK variants is the doors. We have flush chrome handles, 1/4 vents and wind up windows.

E.g.

[nuclear_mini]

Well quite a gutting day instead of the wonderful moment I thought it'd be.

Got another pressie in the mail today, new lower control arm bushes!


New tie rods


Bolted everything up and......... The bastard won't turn, for some reason the new steering rack simply will not turn. what the hell?!?!?!?!? And to further piss me off, the front old hubs are seized and so the front end of the car won't roll. Really shitty at the moment.

Any ideas?

[ChopperHarris]

Is the column attached? Silly question I know...but steering lock?

[ChopperHarris]

Also, very unusual for hubs to sieze. Corrosion on disks/drums?
Are the hydraulics connected?

[matthew_leech]

looking good! I have just purchased some 10x5 mambas for my clubman estate, good choice!

good luck with the project, ill be following this.

[nuclear_mini]

Thanks ChopperHarris. Unfortunately there isn't a steering column in the car so I can definately rule that one out. I will check it tonight and ensure that the spindle is not binding on anything preventing movement, though I cannot see that as being likely. I am thinking I may just need to simply remove the front subfram and check out what's going on.

The hubs (hubs with assembled drum brakes inside) have been sitting on their guts in a paddock for 20 years, so I think they're seized up. Didnt want to have to shell out for a new set of brakes at the present but it appears as though I will need to!

[nuclear_mini]

yesterday I thought I'd have a go at pulling the drums off the front hub assembly, pulling the brakes out of it so it would roll... bad plan... I ended up cracking the drum as it was so tightly bound on the shoes! now they're bin fodder!
So, I have no choice other than purchasing the new front disc drive assembly. I can't make up my mind as to whether to shell out for the minisport or minispares 4 pot alloy Cooper S unit, the AP caliper units or the minispares copies. what's peoples thoughts?

[nuclear_mini]

So, since last update I decided on a set of genuine AP caliper Cooper S disc drive assemblies and ordered them through MiniSpares... Apart from their tardy shipping times, they turned up yesterday! Hurray! Didn't get a shot of the stock parts, so here's one from the website!

[nuclear_mini]

I have basically dummy built the hubs up, meaning I will need to pull them down, paint all the bits individually and rebuild them as part of the final build process... Putting them together:



I had to drop into one of the local mechanics to have the bearing races installed... I should have bought the tool, but nowhere local sells the dollys and I wanted the little piggy to roll! Which it did! (sorry for crappy photo)



The next part was lts of boring driving, but a real milestone for piggy... She has arrived at my old work, with all the panels ready to go! Thought some of you would appreciate the cars at the shop...

[SAL 821X]

Crikey there's some beasts in that shop!

Looking good wish mine was on it's wheels though.

[ob1riley]

That's one nice shop...

[nuclear_mini]

I loved working there. It was a bitter sweet point dropping the car there as its where I'd love to be, if only it was closer and the money worked.

Interesting change in the type of car there. 5 years ago there was a lot more British and continental cars, now it's mostly American muscle. Interesting change in consumer desires.

[nuclear_mini]

A bit of an update. I called Jason at the shop this week. Nothing has been done on the car yet, which doesn't surprise or worry me. He says that I should see some work happening within the next month.

I am now pondering what to start collecting bits for next stage, interior, engine, electrics... As the van is going to be quite custom I'll be dry building the whole car then pulling it down again for final paint and works. What are people's thoughts?

[nuclear_mini]

Well a disappointing arrival this afternoon... I bought a set of chrome rear bumps for the van from eBay seller Wood and Pickett... To be fair to them they state that they are reasonable quality for a reasonable price, which they are. But I don't feel they fit the quality of the car I want.


The inside of the bumpers is not great..


There is some surface rust showing


The chromed side looks ok. But the pressing looks thin and cheap...

[domdee]

nice build