The underseal mate.
#ZedShed Millers Z3M overhaul (Gearbox & Subframe)
- Thread starter Lee
- Start date
When we clean up the underside later next week I'll pick it all apart and see it all a bit closer. It's normally a thick biscuit like underseal.
I had a fair bit of localised peeling spots like that on mine but mostly untouched metal once cleaned off. The main crusty areas with the extremes of the four corners and jack points. Looks great when all done.
Going to be another good thread this
Going to be another good thread this
I’ve been inundated with concern over the split in the under seal. I’ve peeled it back so you can see it’s just cracked and shrunk under seal.
Today felt like a battle between David and Goliath it was intense and very tough. I’ve never come across anything like it working on cars, we had a battle with corroded bolts and over tightened bolts the tool of choice today was the disc cutter.
First up today was to completely disassemble the front end. There used to be a bolt here.
interesting predicament, the ABS sensor fell apart in my hands
normally it’s a couple of hours and the front is apart but this took nearly 4 hours today nearly there on the drivers side.
once the knuckle was off it was time to get the stuck bearing race off.
Front shocks
Wishbone and roll bar caps.
we then had to cut off the old drop links.
we also came across a new style of looking tab bespoke to the M, the tie rod locking design must be from its motorsport heritage.
Now the front is completely stripped.
we turnt our attention to the rear end assemblies. First off we removed the beam bushes.
some heat to allow them to come out.
Hey presto
If you didn’t know the rear beams on the M are also stronger. They have an extra brace inside which can be seen in places.
I started giving the Diff a clean but I gave up. I’ll do it outside during the week with a wire wheel.
Still made a good start.
This is where things took a turn. We normally strip down the swing arms ready for coating. This started well then ended in disaster.
bearing removal tool in place. This has done all of the last 18 cars including 3 M’s.
It got to a point where it was all tight ready to give it the full beans and nothing, it locked solid and refused to move, we paused checked everything over and went again, this time the bearing on the removal tool exploded. Looks like this bearing is staying put for now. Luckily it can still be coated with it in. These bearings are also not original so have been changed in their life. Circlip back in and we‘ll wrap her up.
First up today was to completely disassemble the front end. There used to be a bolt here.
interesting predicament, the ABS sensor fell apart in my hands
normally it’s a couple of hours and the front is apart but this took nearly 4 hours today nearly there on the drivers side.
once the knuckle was off it was time to get the stuck bearing race off.
Front shocks
Wishbone and roll bar caps.
we then had to cut off the old drop links.
we also came across a new style of looking tab bespoke to the M, the tie rod locking design must be from its motorsport heritage.
Now the front is completely stripped.
we turnt our attention to the rear end assemblies. First off we removed the beam bushes.
some heat to allow them to come out.
Hey presto
If you didn’t know the rear beams on the M are also stronger. They have an extra brace inside which can be seen in places.
I started giving the Diff a clean but I gave up. I’ll do it outside during the week with a wire wheel.
Still made a good start.
This is where things took a turn. We normally strip down the swing arms ready for coating. This started well then ended in disaster.
bearing removal tool in place. This has done all of the last 18 cars including 3 M’s.
It got to a point where it was all tight ready to give it the full beans and nothing, it locked solid and refused to move, we paused checked everything over and went again, this time the bearing on the removal tool exploded. Looks like this bearing is staying put for now. Luckily it can still be coated with it in. These bearings are also not original so have been changed in their life. Circlip back in and we‘ll wrap her up.
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The flat radial roller bearing died a spectacular death.
Continuing the tear down we had to remove the tired swing arm bushes.
again looking tired and cracked on the outside but still solid inside.
So today we still managed to achieve a lot a good 8 hour day in the garage.
On a positive note Miller will be enjoying some serious weight saving.
we also dropped the wheels off for new paint today. I’ll be visiting the powder coaters Monday plus placing various orders for parts next week.
Continuing the tear down we had to remove the tired swing arm bushes.
again looking tired and cracked on the outside but still solid inside.
So today we still managed to achieve a lot a good 8 hour day in the garage.
On a positive note Miller will be enjoying some serious weight saving.
we also dropped the wheels off for new paint today. I’ll be visiting the powder coaters Monday plus placing various orders for parts next week.
In my defence the car was a little crusty underneath when I bought it and since I’ve owned it I can’t say that it’s been shown a lot of mercy water snow dirt tracks and a very bitey 
dog haven’t been kind to it .Nice to see it getting the attention it deserves.......till it gets home 
dog haven’t been kind to it .Nice to see it getting the attention it deserves.......till it gets home
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I’ve got to say had some feelings of guilt today so I cleaned half of the coupe,then I took it to a Mates road and did some speed runs ..doh
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Yes please, bring it with you next weekend.
"Crusty" - I think the farmer's usage brings a whole new dimension to the word....In my defence the car was a little crusty underneath when I bought it and since I’ve owned it I can’t say that it’s been shown a lot of mercy water snow dirt tracks and a very bitey
It’s true most machines and vehicles are seen as tools and serve a purpose,ours are pretty well maintained as they are so expensive but they get well used as it’s disappointing to see money (machines) standing idle. Having a garage queen is pointless to me I’ll go to a museum for that.Good job we’re all different it keeps a mechanic in work"Crusty" - I think the farmer's usage brings a whole new dimension to the word....
We’re surrounded by farms and see impressive machinery all the time. At peak times it is often running 24/7 across different farms to help share the capital outlay. And then you see the impact of it out is service due to failure of something as simple as a bearing. Am amazed at how short a time each year some of it is used. Very expensive garage queensIt’s true most machines and vehicles are seen as tools and serve a purpose,ours are pretty well maintained as they are so expensive but they get well used as it’s disappointing to see money (machines) standing idle. Having a garage queen is pointless to me I’ll go to a museum for that.Good job we’re all different it keeps a mechanic in work
Plant, grow, Harvest. Not much in between, 'cept mucking out if you're mixed farm and not just arable. Apart from worry about pests and weather ............................
Tony.
Tony.
Yes our tractors and loader are used mostly everyday feeding,cleaning and general farm maintenance and if we buy a piece of equipment we try and find some extra work for it on someone else’s farm. We’ve just bought a muck spreader with a weight scales on it that is computer controlled to distribute the load at certain measured quantities pre acre.crazy but becoming more in demand.We’re surrounded by farms and see impressive machinery all the time. At peak times it is often running 24/7 across different farms to help share the capital outlay. And then you see the impact of it out is service due to failure of something as simple as a bearing. Am amazed at how short a time each year some of it is used. Very expensive garage queens
Not quite the same. Those in Whitehall don’t care how much muck they throw about, don’t care where they Chuck it, and often deny even having done it. And they make sure they’re not in the firing line and seem impervious to the smell of their own actions.As tested by HMG at Whitehall.
Still going through the prepping stage so today I dropped most of the hardware off for powder coating.
then it was back to the shed for all the little jobs. First up sorting various snapped bolts. Drilled and re tapped.
this tap n die set has had some serious use these last months.
Once the knuckles were both clean it was time to give them a paint.
You wouldn’t think they’re 23 years old.
next it was time to remove the plenum and engine covers ready for powder coating. This was a good opportunity to check all the rubber hoses, just as well I did.
first out is the plenum.
showing lots of cracked hoses.
these are either side of the Idle control valve.
Also some tel tail signs someone else has been here before. Stainless bolt acting as a plug.
Also a good opportunity to freshen up some these nuts.
next up is the rocker cover. Good chance to use my new toy.
So first cover off showing coil packs then removed the rocker cover. Notice there’s no oil staining on the cam covers, this shows she’s been treated well and had good oil and frequent changes.
then all the metal work off. Just a few bits to remove.
Now the fronts apart, towel laid over the cams to keep the dust out time to move back to the rear. I took the old tank straps off, they really didn’t want to come off. I also need to order the lower strap as Mazza’s kit don’t come with this.
This leaves the rear now totally bare.
Tomorrow will be giving everything a clean and some under seal. Quite a pile of scrap building up outside.
So last thing tonight will be ordering more bits
then it was back to the shed for all the little jobs. First up sorting various snapped bolts. Drilled and re tapped.
this tap n die set has had some serious use these last months.
Once the knuckles were both clean it was time to give them a paint.
You wouldn’t think they’re 23 years old.
next it was time to remove the plenum and engine covers ready for powder coating. This was a good opportunity to check all the rubber hoses, just as well I did.
first out is the plenum.
showing lots of cracked hoses.
these are either side of the Idle control valve.
Also some tel tail signs someone else has been here before. Stainless bolt acting as a plug.
Also a good opportunity to freshen up some these nuts.
next up is the rocker cover. Good chance to use my new toy.
So first cover off showing coil packs then removed the rocker cover. Notice there’s no oil staining on the cam covers, this shows she’s been treated well and had good oil and frequent changes.
then all the metal work off. Just a few bits to remove.
Now the fronts apart, towel laid over the cams to keep the dust out time to move back to the rear. I took the old tank straps off, they really didn’t want to come off. I also need to order the lower strap as Mazza’s kit don’t come with this.
Tomorrow will be giving everything a clean and some under seal. Quite a pile of scrap building up outside.
So last thing tonight will be ordering more bits