Not updated in a while but have been working
Spent it taking the spare wheel well out.
Used spot weld cutter to remove all the spot welds.
Cut the well out with angle grinder with cutting blade and then chiseled the remains away
Then used the wheel well to make up a template for the panel Im going to weld in using the holes left over from removal for pug welds.
But unfortunately the sheet metal I get is not quite wide enough to do it in one go so Il have the weld a bit more on.
I started to knock in some strengthing strips, firs ttime doing this, going to flatten them a little and shape a bit nicer, but will defo do the job.
Oh found more bodge, boot seal area, full of filler over rot!
Found a bit of BMX piping ( I had cut some up to make a go kart for my daughter) that has the same profile as the swage and mounted on a piece of box steel to make a former to try an improve them.
Swapped over form the big hammer to my proper metal working hammer which instantly gave a smoother finish, and then dressed it over my former with a flat head. Looking better.
Last attempt was the best and using a blunt chisel to go round the edge gave a better shape
All welded in from underneath.
In reality its all going to get covered in heavy stone chip so the ripples would never have been seen but I just wanted to know it was the best to my ability.
By no means perfect and being as I was trying to match the alfa swages which made it hard I feel.
All seam sealed in now ready for the paint etc.
One more thing ticked off! And hopefully easier brake pad changes in future!
Then not got alot done as been sorting my daily, 92 Saab 900 Convertible for MOT.
But yesterday I got a few odds and sods done.
First to sort was the rotten centre prop support jobbie (there to catch it I guess if it drops). The top was completely rotten.
Bottom ok after a wire brush
Took out spot welds and chiselled the top off
Cut out rot and welded in new edge
The wire brushed, zinc primed and stonechipped, covering the area I would be spot welding to
Plug welded new panel over top, did not see the need to replicate the oval shape, its just allows access to the bolts.
Then zinc primed and stone chipped whol thing after grinding off the plug welds
Went back ,wire brushed off the seam sealer that had reacted to the spare wheel panel I had put in and re applied, it seemed not to like zic primer but ok with red oxide. Left to dry as it will then get hammerited,sptone chipped and waxoyled.
A delivery of bits had arrived, bushes, anti roll bar and a frame, figure mas a well do all while its all out.
A frame bush got burnt out, anti roll bar I pushed out.
Id had painted it before as the bush had been ok, but now want everything as new its not good enough.
Pressed the anti roll bar bushes with sockets and vice after they had spend a few hours in the freezer and I had heated the hole.
It got a paint after
Painted yoke and add he new poly bushes, all ready for new bolts, which currently I don't have lol!
The gearbox mounting bushes are also to be replaced with brand new (she should be tight as a drum after all this!) , but the bolts where solid ,so the propane weed burner came out to remove those pesky hex bolts! Worked treat
Will also get a coat of paint ready for the new bushes.
The A frame bush is in freeze awaiting installation.
Thats all , cheers
, so did not get full day in.
