Rear end maintenance + other bits

[Mazza]

Really Useful tips @roadvoyager1 .
To drop it in one lump, I have thought of making a wooden support frame and using the two trolley jacks that I have.....and let gravity take over .
If it works ( and I don’t get trapped underneath) I could use it to lift it all back into position.
(If it works really well, then it could be available for anyone else taking on this job on their own.)

Luckily I have a stainless steel exhaust system that has a spring clamp so that I will be able to remove the cat and rear box only.
There are a couple of local engineering companies, from my days as a Purchasing Manager, that I could call on, in the event of a problem. One of which has the facilities to make tank straps, should mine need replacing.

 

[roadvoyager1]

I "dropped" my rear beam using a single trolley jack under the diff and gravity did most of the work!! With trialling arms attached the complete assembly is heaviest at the rear.
I made a "T" shaped trolley on heavy duty swivel castors, loaded the diff onto the trolley jack and supported each end of rear beam on a bottle jack. Additional support was required under the trailing arms to take their weight. With this I was able to load up the trolley, roll it under the car and position it then inch it up into position with the jacks. I think 3 people armed with a trolley jack each would be easier, but my method worked and allowed me to do the job solo.
Unfortunately, I got so engrossed in the job that I didn’t think to keep a photo record.
Total job, from wheels off to wheels on excluding painting, took 40 hours including building the trolley and also fitting replacement the front wings and sills which had been prepared earlier. Allow plenty of time and enjoy the experience.

 

[Davyhoogy]

I dropped the rear axle myself. The only issue is when lowering It, you need to find the centre of gravity with the Jack. If not, when you lower, the bushes of the mean beam will twist forwards or to the rear, and will not slide off the pins. I plan on lifting it into place with 1 Jack and 2 helpers. 1 on each bush to guide it onto the pins going up, and I will raise the Jack with 1 hand whilst holding the diff at the right height..... time will tell. That's a fair way off though!

 

[Davyhoogy]

Since I ordered that duraflex poly bush set of main beam and trailing arms, I've removed the bushes from the trailing arms. These are alot more manageable but I did say goodbye to a few brave drill bits

I cut the thicker rubber pad off the end

Then drilled as much of the rubber from both sides as I could.

Then a set of grips on that protruding end, twist and pull.

Voila

 

[t-tony]

You a Dentist in the real world mate

Tony.

 

[DrWong]

I dropped the rear axle myself. The only issue is when lowering It, you need to find the centre of gravity with the Jack. If not, when you lower, the bushes of the mean beam will twist forwards or to the rear, and will not slide off the pins. I plan on lifting it into place with 1 Jack and 2 helpers. 1 on each bush to guide it onto the pins going up, and I will raise the Jack with 1 hand whilst holding the diff at the right height..... time will tell. That's a fair way off though!

Give me shout in due course if you need a helper Davy. I plan on doing this job at some point so don't mind driving over to have a deeks and help out. Can't guarantee I'd be available, but give us a few days notice and I'll try my best

 

[Davyhoogy]

Yeah sure will do. It all comes down to getting the axle painted or powdercoated and how long it will take.

 

[t-tony]

Yeah sure will do. It all comes down to getting the axle painted or powdercoated and how long it will take.

.............. and then there's Mexico ........................

Tony.

 

[Sean d]

.............. and then there's Mexico ........................

Tony.

Are you going to Mexico Dave, I am also going to Cancun

 

[Sean d]

Since I ordered that duraflex poly bush set of main beam and trailing arms, I've removed the bushes from the trailing arms. These are alot more manageable but I did say goodbye to a few brave drill bits

I cut the thicker rubber pad off the end
View attachment 78288

Then drilled as much of the rubber from both sides as I could.
View attachment 78287

Then a set of grips on that protruding end, twist and pull.
View attachment 78289

Voila
View attachment 78290

My Poly's arrived today, I have never been an advocate of them as I once did the whole lot on a rally car and it almost shook your filling out, I am only taking this route due to the ease of fitting them.

 

[Davyhoogy]

My Poly's arrived today, I have never been an advocate of them as I once did the whole lot on a rally car and it almost shook your filling out, I am only taking this route due to the ease of fitting them.

Mine are due tomorrow. The sports seats make a huge difference to comfort in my car since it's lowered. Hopefully your M seats are as comfy.

We fly out to Cancun on the 9th with 19 of our friends and family to get married
We are staying at the royalton

 

[Sean d]

Mine are due tomorrow. The sports seats make a huge difference to comfort in my car since it's lowered. Hopefully your M seats are as comfy.

We fly out to Cancun on the 9th with 19 of our friends and family to get married
We are staying at the royalton

We're not going until December, bloody long wait, we're staying on the peninsula in Crown paradise, doesn't look quite as luxurious as the Royalton but its all inclusive with 7 restaraunts and more importantly the bar stays open until 2am with 24 hour room service

 

[hard top]

Royalton but its all inclusive with 7 restaraunts

Don't get the squirts ....

 

[Davyhoogy]

We're not going until December, bloody long wait, we're staying on the peninsula in Crown paradise, doesn't look quite as luxurious as the Royalton but its all inclusive with 7 restaraunts and more importantly the bar stays open until 2am with 24 hour room service

We wanted to stay at moon palace but it was a bit expensive and there's like 8000 rooms haha.
It will be awesome no matter where you stay. We have a rooftop balcony with hot tub and a butler counting down the hours...

 

[Davyhoogy]

The timing couldn't of been worse, but I dropped and smashed my phone earlier this week. So it had to be sent off for repair before I go on my hols. This means no photos for a few days, then I've managed to get my hands on an old iPhone.

I've made new brake pipes for the front as a 4 inch section was very rusted so replacing those. I just need those metal spring clip things for the bracket as I had to cut them off.
This week my poly kit arrived.

So I fitted the trailing arm bushes easily in a few seconds. Put both parts in then hammer the tube through.
Went and bought some fresh saw blades to go at the main bushes. I cut a slot down the side, got a screwdriver behind it and lifted the ends inward until the bush could be hammered out. I make this sound simple but it took so much effort and long! New bushes pushed in easily and then hammered pin throug. I assume those metal plates go on the bottom? @Sean d

Built up the new handbrake shoes with new cables and fitted the drums. To be adjusted on the car.

After painting the beam and trailing arms by hand and fitting everything, I thought I would assemble it all. So it looks like a decent bit of progress this weekend.

Next up I'll clean up the diff and paint it, then refit and top up the oil with new.
I doubt I will get any further before my hols, it would have been driving theoretically but due to a tear in frame and terrible welding by previous owners im going to have to get my uncle to sort all of this while I'm away, then on my return I have a 5 day weekend when it WILL be getting driven to an MOT centre... not saying it will pass though

 

[Sean d]

The timing couldn't of been worse, but I dropped and smashed my phone earlier this week. So it had to be sent off for repair before I go on my hols. This means no photos for a few days, then I've managed to get my hands on an old iPhone.

I've made new brake pipes for the front as a 4 inch section was very rusted so replacing those. I just need those metal spring clip things for the bracket as I had to cut them off.
This week my poly kit arrived.
View attachment 78603
So I fitted the trailing arm bushes easily in a few seconds. Put both parts in then hammer the tube through.
Went and bought some fresh saw blades to go at the main bushes. I cut a slot down the side, got a screwdriver behind it and lifted the ends inward until the bush could be hammered out. I make this sound simple but it took so much effort and long! New bushes pushed in easily and then hammered pin throug. I assume those metal plates go on the bottom? @Sean d View attachment 78604
Built up the new handbrake shoes with new cables and fitted the drums. To be adjusted on the car. View attachment 78605
After painting the beam and trailing arms by hand and fitting everything, I thought I would assemble it all. So it looks like a decent bit of progress this weekend. View attachment 78606
Next up I'll clean up the diff and paint it, then refit and top up the oil with new.
I doubt I will get any further before my hols, it would have been driving theoretically but due to a tear in frame and terrible welding by previous owners im going to have to get my uncle to sort all of this while I'm away, then on my return I have a 5 day weekend when it WILL be getting driven to an MOT centre... not saying it will pass though

Coming along nicely mate, I dont think I have the washers in my kit, mine is also red, Im also not sure which way to put them in as one end has a thicker shoulder then the other.

 

[Mazza]

Looking good. Have a nice holiday, and comeback refreshed ready to complete the build.

 

[Antm72]

Coming along nicely mate, I dont think I have the washers in my kit, mine is also red, Im also not sure which way to put them in as one end has a thicker shoulder then the other.

Do you mean the swing arm bushes?

 

[Antm72]

Looking great Dave its coming together it will be worth all the hard work awaiting the final build pics

 

[Sean d]

Do you mean the swing arm bushes?

Not really looked at them, the beam bushes have one thick coller and one thin, I assume the thick one goes at the bottom, are the arm bushes the same.