Finally managed to get the gear cable clip off!!


Took off the ground wire at the back of the engine, undid the two bolts holding the gear cable bracket in (had to use a breaker bar!) and loosened the top two bolts of the transmission.

Then saw I needed the engine crane which is buried at the back of the garage (unless @The Other Stu  wants to bench press the engine like I had to for him!) so will have to tackle getting that out at some point..

Spent most of my time today slowly shuffling the engine crane out of its hides hole at the back of the garage round the car and to the engine bay. Didn't cause any damage to myself or the car which is a win.

Took the boot lid off as it was in the way, managed to find some bolts to attach the engine hook things to, got one on, just need to do the back one now. Finished early as there was a sausage sandwich waiting for me in the kitchen

Tut tut, look at your footwear @jvanzyl working in that environment!  

Would like to get my hands on that green book!

Quote from: Chilli Girl on June 26, 2023, 16:08Tut tut, look at your footwear @jvanzyl working in that environment!  

It's HOT!! 

Quote from: J88TEO on June 26, 2023, 16:23Would like to get my hands on that green book!

I also have the blue one... I try to look after them but they're going a bit grubby... 

Applied gentle lift to the engine, took out left engine Mount and bracket.
Drained the gearbox fluid (distinctly browner than I remember! Thought it was red...) managed to drop the plug into the funnel,  still waiting for it to finish dripping.. next up is removing the drive shafts...

Today I tackled the wheel hub nut.. thing whatever it's called.


Then loosened the bolts on the suspension arm




Then according to the manual I'm supposed to remove the trailing arms... Ergh.. I know last time I did this I dropped the whole subframe... I'm wondering if that is a better idea?

Anyway I've started plus gassing the nuts and bolts.. they really have all seen better days.

Edit: if one of the objectives is to renew all the cv boots then I guess this is the way forward isn't it?

IIRC, you don't need to drop the subframe to remove the driveshafts.
You just disconnect the four arms at the hub end to give the strut enough movement outwards to enable you to pull the driveshaft clear.

Quote from: Alex Knight on June 28, 2023, 22:41IIRC, you don't need to drop the subframe to remove the driveshafts.
You just disconnect the four arms at the hub end to give the strut enough movement outwards to enable you to pull the driveshaft clear.

Thanks for the clarification- I've decided to remove the arms entirely so I can clean them up..

Rear trailing arms almost all off... what tool or technique can separate this point without damage??

Big ball pein hammer to shock it (Hit the hub bit not the ball joint) unless you have a thread type ball joint tool.

Quote from: mr2garageswindon on June 29, 2023, 15:48Big ball pein hammer to shock it (Hit the hub bit not the ball joint) unless you have a thread type ball joint tool.

Thanks - so I have put the other end of the arm back up into the subframe to hold it still.. then you're saying to whack the hub?

Ordered some ball joint splitter variety pack...

Quote from: jvanzyl on June 30, 2023, 14:06Thanks - so I have put the other end of the arm back up into the subframe to hold it still.. then you're saying to whack the hub?

Yep whack it right on the side next to the ball joint.

Quote from: jvanzyl on June 30, 2023, 14:47Ordered some ball joint splitter variety pack...

Ball joint splitters are ok if you're planning on replacing the arms etc but be careful as it's really easy to knacker the rubber covers with them.

Quote from: Call the midlife! on July  1, 2023, 11:56Ball joint splitters are ok if you're planning on replacing the arms etc but be careful as it's really easy to knacker the rubber covers with them.

Ah ok thanks. Planning on being gentle hence buying them, will take it slow!

The ball splitter tool thing arrived- prepare to be split!



3x rear trailing arms ready for refurb- now onto the other side I guess...


On a side note, I'm not sure if the manual says to put the nuts back onto the strut tower when removing the rear strut brace.. discovered my rear struts sitting below the waterline because there was nothing holding up! Am hoping the motors weren't damaged..

Last time I dropped the engine on the silver I forgot to disconnect the arms from the struts when I jacked the chassis back up off the engine.
Pulled the n/s cv joint apart...

Quote from: Call the midlife! on July  3, 2023, 20:45Last time I dropped the engine on the silver I forgot to disconnect the arms from the struts when I jacked the chassis back up off the engine.
Pulled the n/s cv joint apart...

Eessh...

Quote from: jvanzyl on July  4, 2023, 10:25Eessh...

It's STILL apart 😂

Quote from: Call the midlife! on July  4, 2023, 12:29It's STILL apart 😂

When did this happen??

Removed the lower bolt from the suspension strut. Then popped out the drive shaft (passenger side).


Then undid the carrier bracket bolts in the middle, might have to do them up again as I've not removed the drivers side trailing arms yet.




Removed the drivers side hub nut thing.




Next up will be removing the wheel, brake line nut, loosening the strut bolts going to the hub and then taking out the drivers side trailing arms.

THEN I will be able to take out the drive shafts.. I think.

Quote from: jvanzyl on July  4, 2023, 13:09When did this happen??

Last October...

Quote from: Call the midlife! on July  4, 2023, 15:22Last October...

I see your progress with things is glacial like me..