|
Post by Volktales on Jul 4, 2017 11:22:43 GMT -8
Uh, no.
|
|
|
Post by PICTUP on Jul 5, 2017 8:06:17 GMT -8
All will be revealed soon?
|
|
|
Post by Wongai on Jul 5, 2017 9:40:54 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by tony on Jul 5, 2017 11:11:37 GMT -8
hahaha
|
|
|
Post by Volktales on Jul 5, 2017 11:22:33 GMT -8
Woah, that is a MAXI MINI!
|
|
|
Post by Wongai on Jul 5, 2017 11:56:01 GMT -8
It's an FJ Mini.
(had to be big enough to cover the bus)
|
|
|
Post by Volktales on Jul 22, 2017 21:52:01 GMT -8
Well it was a busy day of finishing off Peter's Beetle. All four tie rods were replaced, as were the steering dampner and sway bar clamps. The link pins were adjusted like Terry suggested, and it did improve things significantly. The toe was set, wheels reinstalled for the final time and gearbox topped up. The incorrect choke was swapped out, battery properly secured, and headlights refinished. Final test drive will be performed tomorrow, and pictures of all this will be up as well... I am sure Peter will be happy to finally get his VW back...
|
|
|
Post by Volktales on Jul 23, 2017 17:53:40 GMT -8
So the final push to complete this job... Wide five smoothies are a great looking rim. Except the stupid hubcap retainer clips like to break off. If one is gone, the hubcap will usually remain attached. With two gone, maybe not so much. But they are available and are easy to install IF you have the right tools.. First step is to remove the remains of the broken off clip. You can drill out the old rivet if you like, but I chose the quicker method of using an angle grinder to remove the rivet head. Then just use a punch to knock out the remains. Now this is the required tool. It is designed to be clamped in the vise. The domed rivet head is placed in the depression in the end of the tool... The rivet and new retainer clip are placed on the face of the wheel, then flipped over and set on top of the tool in the vice. Take your ball peen hammer, and bash down the end of the rivet sticking up through the hole. Quite easy and therapeutic too. And there is the result with an extra rivet and clip beside it. These are available from CIP, so you have no excuse to be having broken clips. Continued...
|
|
|
Post by Volktales on Jul 23, 2017 18:08:03 GMT -8
Now onto some front end work. Most of the tie rods had excessive play, so it was decided to replace all of them. This tie rod end removing tool works great for small tie rods like this. Removing the assemblies from the car was straight forward. Once on the bench, getting the tie rod ends to separate from the adjusting sleeve was not a lot of fun. Three of them co-operated, but the fourth was an absolute B***H as it was seized solid. Eventually lots of heat and swearing did the trick. Prior to removing the tie rod ends, a measurement was made between the centres of each joint to assist in re-adjusting them. Also the number of turns to remove them was recorded as well and in each case was 17-18 turns in. The tie rods were reinstalled along with a new steering dampner. Final toe adjustment was made later. Before this the link pins were adjusted per Terry's suggestion. Basically those 17 mm wrenches loosen the link pin pinch bolt, then the other wrench tightens the link pins which have a course "spiral" ground into them. This engages the pinch bolt shank, and allows a degree of adjustment. The difference was significant, and definitely the right course of action. After this, the toe was set using nothing more elaborate than a tape measure, and was set to 1/8" toe-in. The steering box adjustment was tweaked slightly as well... Three of Peter's sway bar clamps had rotted apart. Luckily Frank donated three perfect used ones, and these installed quickly. Was happy about that... Continued...
|
|
|
Post by Volktales on Jul 23, 2017 18:26:30 GMT -8
Next up was dealing with the rusty headlight shells. Not as daunting as it looks... Only one screw removes the unit from the car, but you need a smaller screwdriver to loosen the wire retainers on the park light assemblies. Six of those spring clips hold the assembly together. You MUST wear safety glasses when releasing those clips as they tend to go flying across the shop. One "pinged" me right in the glasses, so you have been warned... The "buckets" were bead blasted as it was the quickest and best way to deal with the rust. The original paint was very thick and impossible to feather back with sandpaper. Install in reverse order. In actuality, the retainers are easier to install then remove. The park light bulbs and sockets were cleaned, and the headlight wiring socket was soaked in vinegar. This cleaned up the corrosion well and allowed the lights to work properly. You may notice my favorite "eyelids" are no more... I hope Peter's wife won't be to upset... Incidentally, the paint for the buckets was bought from RONA, and was a very close match to the original grey finish. I also swapped out the mismatched glass lens, for another correct style. Continued...
|
|
|
Post by Volktales on Jul 23, 2017 18:38:42 GMT -8
Now outside the garage again, do you notice another change from the before photos??? When Peter picked up another rim to replace the bent one, the "new" one was painted in the correct 1964 colour scheme. So naturally I couldn't help myself, and painted the other three back to original! I also cleaned 53 years of grime off the door panels, and fixed the sticking glovebox door and adjusted the hood release. Then finally time for another test drive... Off to Ladysmith it was. Beetle drove just fine down the highway, nice and smooth and straight. Cruised nicely at 60 mph without issue. Enjoyed it so much, that I did it again later to pick Victor back up (he was doing some work for Don). So the verdict? The car is now again roadworthy, and easily up to highway use. Peter now finally has the VW he wanted in the first place, and I hope he enjoys using it to the fullest. Hope to see this car at various shows in the future...
|
|
|
Post by peter on Jul 23, 2017 20:02:59 GMT -8
Looks fantastic. Thanks Russ.
|
|
|
Post by Wongai on Jul 24, 2017 8:11:34 GMT -8
Well done Russ. Congrats Peter!
She's a real nice ride. Summer time cruiser!
|
|
|
Post by beetleboy on Jul 24, 2017 10:31:11 GMT -8
nice Russ!! excellent tutorial and concern for the safety of our eyes!!! Congrats on the bug dude!
|
|
|
Post by peter on Jul 29, 2017 20:05:27 GMT -8
I am really enjoying the beetle. People were filming from their truck us as they drove by today. Thanks Russ.
|
|