Winter projects anyone?

[anonymous-user]

Replacing ball joints, tie rods and track rods with Hills Engineering parts on the 612 this winter. Amazing how little play can cause a knock in the suspension. Need to be a bit careful with the 430 being underneath but figured a paint sheet would protect it Out tomorrow in the rain at Silverstone in the 430, that should be fun! Anyone else tinkering over the winter? Anyone with tips or advice? Next on the list for the 612 is a new LH seat belt buckle since some fault in the electrics is causing an airbag system error. Such fun.

[_Leg_]

Not on my supercars but plenty to do on my classics.

Mk1 Escort RS1600 BDA needs a more powerful battery, I'm going to replace the front shocks on my 1967 Abarth 595, my Model A's horn isn't working, the stereo head unit in my Esprit V8 has packed in and my 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint's bonnet catch needs stripping down and rebuilding (bonnet pops if I hit a bump).

I'm also going to sell my track car (MK Indy R) and my Ginetta race car as I'm going endurance racing instead next year and I'm going to buy an Exige V6 so I can play out on track events with some new friends who have Exiges.

Busy winter.

[BertyFish]

Great posts.

Just watched your garage tour Rich and I can see there's plenty to keep you busy

Sorry just a lurker on the supercar section, my only winter project was putting 4 rainsports 3s on my wife's Golf....

[j3gme]

Replace rear lower ball joints with Hills

[mon the fish]

Getting a building out the back converted into a garage - should be able to get 3, maybe 4 cars in. Already has central heating and a toilet, so hoping this will become a proper man cave! Pool table definitely on the list as well.

Will finally be able to get all the cars in the one place

[Andy 308GTB]

Replacing the exhaust manifolds...
Whilst I am in there I will be refurbishing the starter motor and alternator.
I am also rebuiding the half shafts and the list goes on & on...


So I put it all back in the right order, I have recorded each step so far...

Disconnect Battery
Remove Wheels
Remove Wheel arch liners
Remove Alternator heat shield
Rear Bulkhead Heat Shield
Remove Exhaust box
Remove Exhaust hangers
Remove Inner Air Intakes
Cut Cable Ties on Gearbox Breather
Undo Petrol Tank Straps
Remove Drivers Side fuel tank
Remove Auxillary Drive Belt
Remove (Circular) Alternator Heatshield
Remove Alternator
Remove Drive Shafts
Remove Fuel Filter and Hoses
Remove Fuel Filler Grommet
Remove Fuel Filler (aluminium)
Remove Rubber Fuel Filler Hose
Remove Distributor Cover
Remove Oil Cooler Air Scoop
Disconnect Fuel Gauge wiring
Disconnect rear breather pipe
Drain Transfer Case Oil
Remove Transfer Case
Remove Transfer Case Studs
Remove OSR Caliper
Remove OSR Brake Disk
Remove OSR Hub
Loosen OSR Anti Roll Bar
Remove Off Side fuel tank
Remove Bulkhead Heatshield (HS#1)
Remove Starter Motor Heatshield (HS#2)
Remove Cam Covers
Disconnect D/S Coolant Pipe to pump
Remove Front Bank Exhaust Manifold

Next step is to remove the Starter Motor - one stubborn bolt remains
Then the rear exhaust manifold - 2 stubborn nuts still holding out.

Edited by Andy 308GTB on Saturday 10th December 21:04

[mwstewart]

Fitting Speciale brakes to my F430 amongst other things.

[anonymous-user]

So this weekend I disconnected the ball joint from the lower suspension arm. With the car on the lift, the hub supported by a jack stand and the lower arm hanging down I have good access and I'm thinking of just completing the job with the arm in situ. The workshop manual says to remove the arm from the chassis to do the job but in truth that would be a real pain as access to the inner bolts is limited. Plus it means removing the alignment shims and possibly messing with the geometry when everything is re-torqued. I found it easy enough to remove the boots and press out the ball joint using the tool from Hills. The new Hysol glue needs to bake at low heat to set properly so I'm planning on pointing a blow heater at the joint for a couple hours once I have the new ball joint and circlips in place. Anyone see any problems with this approach? The blow heater will be at a really low setting and some distance away so as not to overheat anything.