7161 Chassis restoration

[eric]

Thanks Mec,

Exactly.... Spax and new LCA's onto an old frame is just asking to do it all again. My only thing which worries me is its on a ramp and is REAR into the garage so I am going to need to lift It higher to bring it front first out of the garage. Engine at the back and under the frame which isn't ideal, but I will save approx. 5-6 hours not putting wheels/springs/shocks back on and re-attaching fuel lines (also renewed) to spin it around and save a couple of feet.

[eric]

Rattling through the pre-req for the chassis lift... All main bolts now undone its just the periphery stuff. I spent 2 hours on the handbrake cable. Is there a knack to unhooking it at the handle end ? Its in a slot I have tried force, holding with pliers and pushing the other cable down with a screwdriver, it just hasn't released.

Whats actually stopping it sliding out of the slot ? I assume its the pull from the other cable ?

[Rissy]

Rattling through the pre-req for the chassis lift... All main bolts now undone its just the periphery stuff. I spent 2 hours on the handbrake cable. Is there a knack to unhooking it at the handle end ? Its in a slot I have tried force, holding with pliers and pushing the other cable down with a screwdriver, it just hasn't released.

Whats actually stopping it sliding out of the slot ? I assume its the pull from the other cable ?

I unbolt it from the tub underneath and pull it up and free. Then you have all the flexibility you need.

[eric]

Thanks Rissy, I tried that but it looks like someone OTT epoxy glued it back on the last removal so that was my VERY last resort but I will try again...I don't think its possible any other way.... I think I am ahead of the game as I planned to get the chassis to Alex in 4 weeks but I reckon I could be able to lift by close of play Sunday if I am lucky.

[A Van]

You can slacken the adjuster off completely at the handbrake end
Then reach in with long nose pliers pull the cable forward inside with the seat out
But as Chris says I would take the handle out


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mec]

Top work mate, I unbolted the handbrake handle when i did mine, deffo easier, they are a bugger though

[eric]

Stonkingly good work today, 90 percent done, I broke the glue holding handbrake so it was fine after that..No idea why he glued it on so well.....One of the last on my list is Heater core disconnect ? Where is this ? I know its hidden behind the dash for the core unit ? Figuring it may be the hoses below the Accumulator ?

Loving this so far, finding out so much.....

[mec]

The heater core disconnects under the passenger wheel arch if i remember rightly, either that or you can get to it from the fuel pump panel under the bonnet, 2 rubber hoses with jubilee clips, the heater core stays where it is

[eric]

All righty here it is Sorry for not posting for a while, I have been at it every day but as I use an old school digital camera, its rarely made it back inside for downloading.

So getting the chassis out took a week (evenings) and everything off it bar the rear running gear and engine took 3 days. Lots of pics and labelling.

Thanks to MEC and Alex for all their help and encouragement I hopefully have a pic of everything before and after so it should help, if anyone ever needs pics or info feel free.

Main body bolts were no issue and all present and reasonably tight.



Onwards with the "all electrical elements" which took a while.



Following through the checklist Mec was kind enough to send over. Of what to remove before commencing separation. There are about 20 items.

Lets get lifting



First signs of movement at the back



I forgot about the front lights electrical connection so managed to remove these mid lift.. and found where the mice were living prior to my ownership.



WOOP!



Loving the airtime...The back of the frame doesnt look too bad.



Forgot the earth from the tank filler so had to cut it as I was too far in



I did start with using these bales and they were working ok.



But then it got too risky so screw that



A quick distance trip to a builders merchant, 50 breeze blocks(£88) hand loaded 800kilos into a car and we are smoking again, a lot stabler, safer and easier.



A couple of scaffold planks



Last few elements to unhook and squirrel out of the grommets.



There she blows.



Radiator took about 20 mins so I was well chuffed.



This was the plate welded between the front extensions



Clearly the chap was thinking about me removing these bolts later, I had to take a grinder to them which had me worried as the fuel tank was so exposed. My wife stood fire watch.

Interestingly this was the only thing I had to grind off. I sprayed the lot with WD40 the night before I started the undoing it all and this one was just access which stopped me undoing it.



Found this by the tank which makes me think of a pigs snout....



More signs of my furry friends by the gear shift...



The rear trailing arms bolts were actually loose and had these crammed in which I pulled out, well they literally fell out when I touched them.



I cant think why someone would want to stick their DMC logo in there....


Clean as a whistle...



Exhaust out just waiting for my chains to turn up to lift the engine and transmission out.



Then off to the Acid dip followed by a trip to Alex.. I wont pre-empt his skilful review but its not as bad as I thought, the back seems ok but the bit above the LCA's is starting to go but is well behind MEC's so I am hopefully its fixable.

Once I get the engine out I will flip it over and show some underside pics.

[mec]

Awesome post mate !! You have done really well !! Your chassis looks well fixable and as you say nowhere as bad as mine, not sure if you are aware but the horseshoe shape spacers are how the rear toe is adjusted, they will differ from side to side and when you put it back together and get it alligned these will need to be added or taken away

Top work though mate, I look forward to seeing it once its been dipped