Time to get those Rear Springs fitted!

[RS2000EXPRESS]

After finally restoring my car four years ago, I was well into just driving my car to a few shows and generally enjoying it!

Because my car was looking a bit low on the back, 2 years ago I decided to buy a pair of new standard springs to sort out the problem. I also knew that when I fit the springs I would have to face cleaning-up, then repainting the rear axle casing and brake backplate etc, to match the rest of the restored suspension, a job which I have kept putting off because of the nature of the it. After looking at some of the restorations on the go on here, I finally deciding to SORN my car last week to get something moving.

Last Sunday I removed the axle casing complete with springs which came off without any hitches, and yesterday I stripped the lot down to see what's what. Apart from 28 years of grime, the parts are in decent condition, that is apart from one of the springs which turned out to be broken. Years of underseal and oil have helped preserve the parts, but have made it a dirty job to clean up.

I plan to repaint it as standard, tidy up the brake pipes (at present look like spagetti), replace nuts and bolts, and apply fresh waxoyl to hopefully last the next 28 years.

The following pictures show up to the point, just before discovering the broken spring:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/RearAxleRepaint001.jpg

Now it's off the road!


http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/RearAxleRepaint002.jpg

Note the surface rust on the end face. This is perhaps a good place to seal up with a bit of gasket sealer to try and prevent moisture getting to the bearing!



http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/RearAxleRepaint009.jpg

Springs before I realised were cracked. Both sides appeared flat in situ, makes it difficult to buy second hand with confidence!



http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/RearAxleRepaint013.jpg

Brake backplates are the most rusted, but should come up ok.


http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/RearAxleRepaint016.jpg

The diff had been leaking oil, so I previously replaced the pinion seal which did not cure the leak. Now I suspect it was the gasket, which can now be replaced.



http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/RearAxleRepaint005.jpg

I fitted new rear wheel bearings 2 years ago.



http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/RearAxleRepaint014.jpg

..............and not to forget the propshaft!


Tim

[Aled]

Looking great Tim.....you will be in concourse before you know it ;)

Keep up the good work, just don't make it too shiny to drive :rolleyes:

[wayne]

Fair play your car looks mint underneath Tim, do you need any parts blasting, I've got a small cabinet and access to a bit bigger one:) , would not take an axle though.

[RS2000EXPRESS]

Fair play your car looks mint underneath Tim, do you need any parts blasting, I've got a small cabinet and access to a bit bigger one:) , would not take an axle though.
Thanks for your nice comments and offer of parts blasting.

The axle casing is not too bad, but the brake backplates are a bit rusty. This weekend with weather permitting, I'm going to get the rotary brush on to them and see how I get on. If no luck, I may consider the blasting.

Many thanks,

Tim.

[wayne]

I've found one of the flat rotary wire brushes in an angle grinder is just as good on easy accessible parts with no hard to get at crevices, just watch it when the brush starts breaking up!

[Hoogi]

Hi Tim,

The RS looks in fantastic condition...........I'm sure you have the rear-end back in shape in no time.

Good Luck :D

[RS2000EXPRESS]

I've found one of the flat rotary wire brushes in an angle grinder is just as good on easy accessible parts with no hard to get at crevices, just watch it when the brush starts breaking up!

Thanks Wayne,

Will do, I will make sure I have my safety specs at hand. They can be nasty when they take to the air.:cool:



Hi Tim,

The RS looks in fantastic condition...........I'm sure you have the rear-end back in shape in no time.

Good Luck :D

Many Thanks for your nice comments Hoogi,

I had the bodywork restored 4 years ago, which included a complete new front end, and in the meantime I have been improving the rest of it.

Weather permitting, nothing should stop me making progress. The only restriction here is that I can't paint outside because of the damp and low temperature this time of the year, but I do have somewhere inside where is suitable.

CheeRS,

Tim.

[rsyoda]

Lookin good Tim

just got the engine out of mine this weekend trying to sort my front end out lookin a bid sad now:(

[RS2000EXPRESS]

The weather decided to be kind today so I got this done!:)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/RestorationAxle2004.jpg


These I cleaned up with scraping all the rust and gunge off first, followed by the rotary wire brush and a rotary grit impregnated brush fitted in the electric drill.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/RestorationAxle2003.jpg


Picture shows the broken spring mentioned earlier.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/RestorationAxle2012.jpg



Next Job: The Axle Casing.

Tim.

[Aled]

Coming along nicely there Tim ;)

[graham John]

keep up the good work


cheeRS

[Dave1800BDA]

good work tim, shame about the spring

[RS2000EXPRESS]

keep up the good work


cheeRS

Coming along nicely there Tim ;)

good work tim, shame about the spring
Thanks for the nice comments guys.;) The old springs were looking tired and flat anyway Dave, so I bought a pair of new original ones about 3 years ago still in their hession wrapping...........

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/RestorationAxle2016.jpg

Really glad I bought them now!:)

Cheers,

Tim.

[Aled]

Good buy there Tim....what else do you have stashed away :confused: :D

[RS2000EXPRESS]

Good buy there Tim....what else do you have stashed away :confused: :D
Nothing, but the odd new fully trimmed Mk2 RS shell!:D .............I wish!

[RS2000EXPRESS]

During the lead up to Christmas I decided to face up to the cold outside and managed to clean up this little musical instrument, which went on and on and on. No sandblaster here, just a number or rotary brushes, minature grinders, picks and scrapers. After a treatment of rust killer to kill any possible traces of rust, I finally I got it to the stage where I wanted, ready for primer.........and of course the fitting of the strings!!!!!!!!!:whistle:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/AxlePrep002.jpg

Back-Plates now primed with rust-killing primer just to make sure.........
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/Paint2001.jpg


along with these bits. Great place for drying.........by the boiler, but fighting for a bit of room here!http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/Paint2005.jpg


Finally I got the heat on full blast in my workshop and managed to get the black on:
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/005-2.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/002-1.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/001-3.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/012-1.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/008.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/019.jpg


Roll on warmer weather.........Leaf Springs next.

Tim.

[oldskooljoe]

looks spot on Tim:cool:

nice work:)

[Aled]

Looking very nice there Tim......what did you paint it with? ......:confused:

[Dave1800BDA]

looking very good, hate painting black in the cold, like you said the heats got to be up

[wetandwindy2]

looks very good with paint on ,that should finish of an already outstanding car :cool:

[richy c]

dont forget the original green splash of paint on the axle:rolleyes:

[RS2000EXPRESS]

looks spot on Tim:cool:

nice work:)
Thanks Joe, its one of those jobs I've put off for a while but had to face this winter.

Looking very nice there Tim......what did you paint it with? ......:confused:

Hammerite Products: Brush on Rust-Killing Primer, Brush Satin Black and a final coat of Satin Spray.

looking very good, hate painting black in the cold, like you said the heats got to be up

Thanks Dave, I breathe in the air and if I can see my breath I don't paint. So much easier in the summer, but I want to drive it then!

looks very good with paint on ,that should finish of an already outstanding car :cool:
Many Thanks for the nice comments, but I will probably find something else that needs doing, as you do!;)

Tim.

[Dave1800BDA]

dont forget the original green splash of paint on the axle:rolleyes:

you bufties are all the same...get out abit more:D

[RS2000EXPRESS]

dont forget the original green splash of paint on the axle:rolleyes:
Glad you mentioned this! I've got a large splash of white, a smaller dash of white, large orange and some yellow on it!..........but no green?

I have'nt been bored, honest!:rolleyes:

Tim.

[wiggyrs]

Very nice work Tim :cool:

[rsyoda]

Looking really good Tim
will be very smart when finished a credit to you mate:)

[RS2000EXPRESS]

Very nice work Tim :cool:

Looking really good Tim
will be very smart when finished a credit to you mate:)
Thanks Guys, I've got some more pics coming up soon. Finished all the cleaning up work yesterday, just a few more bits to paint.

Tim.

[laney]

hi tim, looking good there :thumbright: i dont think the wife would let me grow a axle casting in the kitchen :eek:

[dasadrew]

Some good work going on there! :)

Always nice to see someone knuckling down and doing bits himself rather than carting it all off to a company for doing :thumbright:

[kelps]

Doing a good job there;) What paint you using for the axle+bits? looks very nice.

[RS2000EXPRESS]

hi tim, looking good there :thumbright: i dont think the wife would let me grow a axle casting in the kitchen :eek:
Hi Steve, It was'nt a problem growing the axle casing in the kitchen, the problem lay getting it into that dishwasher to get the crud off.;)

Some good work going on there! :)

Always nice to see someone knuckling down and doing bits himself rather than carting it all off to a company for doing :thumbright:
I did originally get the bodywork done for me on the car, as there was just too much work involved for me to take on. It would have taken me a long time to do, but stripping it down to a rolling shell, painting the bits, and most mechanical work I have enjoyed doing.:smash: Just enjoying trying to make it a bit better every year.:)

Doing a good job there;) What paint you using for the axle+bits? looks very nice.
As mentioned earlier, I am using Hammerite Satin Finish Paint. Although it does not require a primer, I like to include a coat. Gloss would be more water repellant but I believe the satin looks right.

Many Thanks for your nice comments guys.;)

[RS2000EXPRESS]

Earlier this week, I finished making the brake pipes up and placed them on the casing to see how they looked. These being made out of steel proved too difficult for the pipe flarer which I had borrowed, and had to be finished off on an alternative flarer.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/003-2.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/002-2.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/001-4.jpg

Next Job: Last paint job, the springs!

Tim.

[Aled]

Quality job Tim.....don't make it too good to drive though ;):D

[lynx]

looks really nice, just purchased a second hand Mexico axle off ebay this weekend, If get mine lookin half as good I'll be happy, was wondering what you used to paint yours with.

[RS2000EXPRESS]

looks really nice, just purchased a second hand Mexico axle off ebay this weekend, If get mine lookin half as good I'll be happy, was wondering what you used to paint yours with.
Originally Posted by alminera http://bbs.rallyesportescorts.co.uk/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://bbs.rallyesportescorts.co.uk/showthread.php?p=350780#post350780)
Looking very nice there Tim......what did you paint it with? ......:confused:
Hammerite Products: Brush on Rust-Killing Primer, Brush Satin Black and a final coat of Satin Spray.

Hello Lynx, Thanks for the nice comment.
At first glance at the axle casing I thought it would not be too bad cleaning it up, but it still took hours of preparation to get it right, so many bits attached to it! Good luck with yours.:)

Tim.

[RS2000EXPRESS]

Update of what I've been doing.


Diff painted!

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/002-Copy.jpg


Leafsprings: These are the new, but on preparation I had to strip the old paint off, seemed sad to loose the part numbers so I decided to replace them.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/004.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/008-1.jpg


Finally got everything back together, which is now showing up the condition of the wheels. I'm waiting for the warmer weather to do these!

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/012-2.jpg


Yes, the Hylomar needs cleaning off here. I decided to fit a gasket to help prevent the wet getting to the bearings.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/010-Copy.jpg

Another shot of how it was!:(

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/LS8.jpg


Can you spot the difference in height?

Before:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/LS2.jpg


and after:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/expresspic/LS1.jpg


The spring height does not look much here, but there is now a curve in the spring once again, and the car is not down on it's back end any more!:)

Tim.

[Aled]

Cracking work Tim Love the attention to detail with the part numbers :D

Concourse in 2009 then ?:confused:;)

[RS2000EXPRESS]

Cracking work Tim Love the attention to detail with the part numbers :D

Concourse in 2009 then ?:confused:;)
Yep, it will be lined up with the stiff competition from cars like yours!:p;)

No, this ones strictly staying on the road, It will be getting a fresh coat of Waxoyl soon, to preserve the work I have done. Even the part numbers will be Waxoyled I'm afraid.:(

[marky4]

that's a cracking job you've done there :cool::)

[dale]

looking good there tim

[andym]

Looking good. What did you use on your brake pipes / clips, the brown and how did you get your lines so straight. Thanks Andy

[RS2000EXPRESS]

that's a cracking job you've done there :cool::)
Thanks Marky,

Not quite the same impact as if I had painted/detailed the floor pan, but I want to be able to continue to use it on the road without the worry of a bit of dirt under it and the fear of it rusting.

looking good there tim

Thanks Dale,

Got to make an effort to improve the car a bit, now that there is fierce competition from the broadstripes these days!;)

Looking good. What did you use on your brake pipes / clips, the brown and how did you get your lines so straight. Thanks Andy

Thanks Andy,

Fords used very thin orange tube, but some of them had been lost on the previous replacement pipe, so the nearest I could find was TV coaxial cable sleeve, a little bit thicker but does the job and sort of goes with the colour of the pipes a bit!

I started off by cutting a piece of pipe the correct length + allowing for the swages at each end. After swaging I straightened all the kinks out of the pipe to get it perfectly straight, then worked on it putting the bends in carefully making sure each end balanced up evenly, except for any parts that are supposed to be different. I was lent a pipe bender which I have never used before, but I did not like it as it had an unnecessary sharp edge which marked the coating on the pipes a bit, no matter how careful I was doing it. I ended up bending just by hand as I always had done in the past and that worked fine.

Tim.

[andym]

Thanks for that Tim.. Just stunning.