Rotrex powered R32
Discussion
Some more progress
Halfords breaker bar for the win
Result, hub bolt freed up
As the car will be on axle stands for a while, I got some sill protectors, they have a slot in the top for the pinch weld of the sill to sit in
The other side has a reses that sits on the top of the axle stand
The new impact driver made short work of most of the bolts, but some were seized and rusty which required the application of fire and WD40 to free up.
Track rod ends, drop links, bottom ball joints freed up and removed Brake disk and caliper.
Success
Couldn’t get the left (passenger side) bottom ball joint released from the hub so had to unbolt it from the wishbone and leave it attached to the hub until I can get the hub off the car to work on the bench.
Next step is to finish stripping the subframe down and start cleaning up all the rust and flaking pant to get it ready for respraying.
Also need to make a shopping list, I got some parts before the lockdown, but now need more.
Photo of adapter bracket as requested by Mikeeb
Halfords breaker bar for the win
Result, hub bolt freed up
As the car will be on axle stands for a while, I got some sill protectors, they have a slot in the top for the pinch weld of the sill to sit in
The other side has a reses that sits on the top of the axle stand
The new impact driver made short work of most of the bolts, but some were seized and rusty which required the application of fire and WD40 to free up.
Track rod ends, drop links, bottom ball joints freed up and removed Brake disk and caliper.
Success
Couldn’t get the left (passenger side) bottom ball joint released from the hub so had to unbolt it from the wishbone and leave it attached to the hub until I can get the hub off the car to work on the bench.
Next step is to finish stripping the subframe down and start cleaning up all the rust and flaking pant to get it ready for respraying.
Also need to make a shopping list, I got some parts before the lockdown, but now need more.
Photo of adapter bracket as requested by Mikeeb
More progress,
Got the subframe stripped down
Started attacking the wishbones with a wire brush in the grinder
Getting there
After a lot of wire brushing they ended up looking like this
And with a coat of paint they look like new
The hub/bearing carriers got the same treatment
The hubs got a good wire brushing and were zinc plated along with the caliper brackets to try and keep further rusting at bay.
The rough finish on the brackets is from where the rust was chemically removed.
I’m now stuck as I need to order a load of parts so I can start reassembly, I have got to wait for the lockdown to lift so the parts counter at the local VW dealer reopens.
Got the subframe stripped down
Started attacking the wishbones with a wire brush in the grinder
Getting there
After a lot of wire brushing they ended up looking like this
And with a coat of paint they look like new
The hub/bearing carriers got the same treatment
The hubs got a good wire brushing and were zinc plated along with the caliper brackets to try and keep further rusting at bay.
The rough finish on the brackets is from where the rust was chemically removed.
I’m now stuck as I need to order a load of parts so I can start reassembly, I have got to wait for the lockdown to lift so the parts counter at the local VW dealer reopens.
Finally, been able to make some progress.
Got the driveshafts cleaned up and repainted.
New wheel bearings and the hubs pressed into the hub/bearing carrier
New left and right ABS sensors
ABS sensor fitted with stainless steel bolts, which may have been polished (just because I could
)
Now the VW dealers are starting to open up I was able to order all the parts I need to put the car back together.
On the table:
Left/right track rod ends
Left/right brake hoses
Top mounts & bearings
Drop links
Nuts & bolts for fixing wishbones to subframe
Anti-roll bar bolts
Steering rack bolts
Dog bone mount bolts
The can at the back is OE underseal
Also splashed out on a new subframe
It worked out a little bit more cost wise than refurbishing the original subframe. The bonded aluminium/rubber bushes (either side at top in picture) are around £50 each x4 (upper and lower), so nearly £200 in bushes alone.
I thought by the time I have paid for original subframe be sand blasted and powder coated the new subframe wasn’t much more at £560 and it comes with new bushes.
To make sure the new subframe stays looking good I have given it a couple of coats of eastwood chassis paint
Before fitting it will get a coat of Bilt Hamber Dynax S-50 wax inside and out for extra protection.
Got the driveshafts cleaned up and repainted.
New wheel bearings and the hubs pressed into the hub/bearing carrier
New left and right ABS sensors
ABS sensor fitted with stainless steel bolts, which may have been polished (just because I could
)Now the VW dealers are starting to open up I was able to order all the parts I need to put the car back together.
On the table:
Left/right track rod ends
Left/right brake hoses
Top mounts & bearings
Drop links
Nuts & bolts for fixing wishbones to subframe
Anti-roll bar bolts
Steering rack bolts
Dog bone mount bolts
The can at the back is OE underseal
Also splashed out on a new subframe
It worked out a little bit more cost wise than refurbishing the original subframe. The bonded aluminium/rubber bushes (either side at top in picture) are around £50 each x4 (upper and lower), so nearly £200 in bushes alone.
I thought by the time I have paid for original subframe be sand blasted and powder coated the new subframe wasn’t much more at £560 and it comes with new bushes.
To make sure the new subframe stays looking good I have given it a couple of coats of eastwood chassis paint
Before fitting it will get a coat of Bilt Hamber Dynax S-50 wax inside and out for extra protection.
pistolpedro said:
Enjoy following the this thread, I particularly like the DSG conversion I would imagine it really suits the character of the car.
Did you think about Defcon sleeves to the wishbones?
Nope, completely forgot Defcon sleeves existed, had to google themDid you think about Defcon sleeves to the wishbones?
then remembered they were all the rage for the MKIV platform years ago. I have gone for the standard SuperPro bushes on the wishbones. Should be better than the 16/17 year old bushes that came off I’ve got the smaller bush in mine but the wishbones are pre-recall so I didn’t need the sleeve. Hard to say if they made a big difference as I re-bushed the whole front end at the same time. Went with Superpro also (caster increase) been very pleased with them, sure you’ll be to.
I laughed when I saw your stainless ABS sensor bolts I had a nightmare getting them out of the rear trailing arms I’ll definitely be copying you when it all goes back together
I laughed when I saw your stainless ABS sensor bolts I had a nightmare getting them out of the rear trailing arms I’ll definitely be copying you when it all goes back together
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