Lifting a Chimaera body....

[Lord Candleford]

Hi chaps,

About to lift a body from a chassis in a double garage with a good level floor. Can I run my plan past the good folk on this forum to make sure I am not about to f..... up.

The engine and gearbox are already out. The plan is to have a wooden beam running diagonally under the boot floor, to two trolly jacks parallel to the rear wheels. The front will be lifted at the same time by a substantial portable engine crane. When sufficient clearance is obtained, the chassis will be rolled out from the rear, then a pre-prepaired wooden pallet fitted with 4 h/duty casters will be substituted. the body will then be lowered onto the pallet and the body moved to the side of the garage. At this point, it will be off down to the pub.

What could possibly go wrong..........

Your thoughts please.

[Ant.]

To take the body off a Chimp or a Fantastic Griff, you have to have the front higher than the rear.
In true Haynes stylee, the same applies when re-fitting.

To answer your question, Not sure the trolley jacks will lift the body high enough.

[carsy]

Mines a Griff but essentially the same. I used a piece of wood at the rear under the boot as you mentioned and a piece of wood at the front under the nose. The pieces of wood were long enough to stick out past the sides of the car. These were then supported on axle stands. I then jacked a little at the front and then at the back supporting everything, axle stands and jack on numerous pieces of wood and bricks as i went. Just keep checking the higher you go that pipes, wiring are all free. If you have taken the engine out already you wont have to go too high before the chassis will just role out. Then the real work begins. Have fun. .

[Lord Candleford]

Hi Carcy,

Many thanks for your advice. Did you need to raise the front higher than the rear? I am aware that the handbrake needs to be slackened right off to enable it to stand vertical to aid the lift. While the lift is being done entirely with jacks and an engine hoist, any idea of the weight of the body shell?

Regards.

[carsy]

Dont recall anything about the front needing to be higher than the rear. I would have said in an ideal world the whole thing would go up level front and rear at the same time. I couldnt do that though and had to keep going from one end to the other. The only thing that caught as the body went up and back on again was the end of the rear upper wishbone bolts. These just scrapped on the body a little but nothing major. As for the weight of the body, with everything still in it windscreen etc, it is heavier than you think. I reckoned i would have needed about 8 people to lift it safely. Decided jacking was a lot safer and could take as long as needed. Putting your body on wheels is a good idea as you will be able to wheel it out the way. Mine just got lowered again and spent the next 8 months sat on wood on the driveway.

[Lord Candleford]

Hi Carcy,

Thanks for this invaluable information. I had one of the lower chassis bolts shear in the boot. I am aware the body has a brass eyelet bonded in to take the load. As far as I can work out, (judging by the head and body retrieved) the bolt has sheared flush with the chassis, or there about. Is there any wiggle room when lifting the chassis if this bolt is sitting slightly proud? I understand you can just get a hacksaw blade between the body and chassis if it does cause problems.

[carsy]

Emm interesting one. I was fortunate enough not to have any body bolts that siezed in or sheared off so didnt have to tackle anything like this. The body to the chassis ends are a just fit. even a hacksaw blade would be a squeeze. I suppose your only option if you cant get to the bolt end is to hacksaw like you say. Im sure someone will come along shortly with a fix for this problem, im sure many will have come across it. The only siezed bolts i had were on a couple of wishbone bushes. easier to sort out once the body is off.

[pk500]

this is putting back on used jacks to get it off so much hassel, get some scaffold and lots of cakes you`ll be suprised how many come to help when food is on offer