Project 'Tommy' - 1996 Equinox Spi

Fitted the new rear valance this weekend - took a bit of joggling around but seems sturdy (welding improving very slowly!).

Put 2nd coat on the underside. A few more and hopefully will be in a position to put the rear subframe back on and get him back on all fours by/on next weekend.

No pics as they would just be of black paint, which seem a bit boring!

Bit of an odd day today, nothing really going well

Got the subframe all rigged up and went to refit it - refuses to line up!l - having spent all day today on it I'm going through the 'what the hell am i doing?' phase! Supposedly simple things seem to take the time I'm finding. I've got nothing but admiration for you Mini guys who manage this without wingeing!!

I was looking forward to getting him on all four wheels again this weekend ... looks like he might be jacked up for a little while longer whilst I sort this.

Anyway a few pics - bit black I'm afraid - shows the progress to date though. Hoping TOO LOW's input tomorrow will get me over my depression! - onwards and upwards!!

How far out is it? I did mine about 3 years ago and it did need a bit of gentle pursuasion

Cheers

Chris

Its ok mate, it will fit.. Now where is my hammer?

Did you fit the subframe before you fitted all the bits too it as if its fully built up it wil make the job very hard as its "Heavy man"

it was built up, needed to do it that way as a few captive nuts went when originally removing it and they have new nuts on, but need to get into it to hold them ... does that make any sense??!! i can see how a bare frame would be much easier!!

it's only out by a very slight amount, but enough to be a problem!

You should have welded new captive nuts on and fitted frame first, then built it up..

your problem now is when you have to take it off and you cant get to the nuts without taking the subframe off again......??

Good point, and the trouble I'm having, taking it off again is not high on my agenda!!

Can you weld on standard nuts, or do you need 'special' ones. Stop laughing!!!

robtheplod wrote:Good point, and the trouble I'm having, taking it off again is not high on my agenda!!

Can you weld on standard nuts, or do you need 'special' ones. Stop laughing!!!

I will check your nuts mate but Im sure they will be fine

The subframe is on and its really coming on well, Great work chap

TOO LOW wrote:The subframe is on and its really coming on well, Great work chap

thanks for your help shaun, hope the wheels are ok - we'll agree not to tell anyone why it did'nt fit!! . Here the Somerford link to show why I was putting the brackets on the other way:

http://www.somerford-mini.co.uk/pdfs/Catalogues/Run-Gear-Subframes/20-Subframes.pdf

as a result of moving on i have a few more queries .... does it matter which way on the handbrake quadrands go on? - i notice the cutout for the brake cable retainer is not in the centre?

also got one side suspension cone in, but the other side is much, much tighter and is reluctant - any tips??

one day i'll try to contribute to the forum rather than take take take!!!

robtheplod wrote:

TOO LOW wrote:The subframe is on and its really coming on well, Great work chap

thanks for your help shaun, hope the wheels are ok - we'll agree not to tell anyone why it did'nt fit!! . Here the Somerford link to show why I was putting the brackets on the other way:

http://www.somerford-mini.co.uk/pdfs/Catalogues/Run-Gear-Subframes/20-Subframes.pdf

as a result of moving on i have a few more queries .... does it matter which way on the handbrake quadrands go on? - i notice the cutout for the brake cable retainer is not in the centre?

also got one side suspension cone in, but the other side is much, much tighter and is reluctant - any tips??

one day i'll try to contribute to the forum rather than take take take!!!

I see what you mean, the exploded view cleary shows then back to front... Silly buggers.

Got some pics of the areas you need help with?

If you can post some pictures and a descriptive question in the Tech section I will try and help

Had quite a busy day today - got the Hi-Lo's fitted and adjusted - all seats much better





Finishing off in the boot - all painted and rsut free!



Next turned to getting rid of the holes made by the sports arches



All welded up (use a copper back plate to disperse the heat - seemed to work ok!)



... next to do is to put the rear lights/petrol tank back in (I know I'll need to remove it all again for painting, but plan to fire him up this week to check he still works!!)

Let me know ehn you are ready and I will check the elastic-trickery for you mate.

Looks like youre really cracking into her now, Great work buddy

Rear end finished!!

Now moved the car to one side and jacked one side up to have a closer look at sill area etc...

Lots of nice holes, including some new friends I did'nt find when I took the old sill off! Now have enough in one area to warrant using my floor repair panels I think (good job nobody wanted them!) - I'll cut the minimum out and then carefully replace with the eqiv bits of the panel (avoiding the fuel pipes!).. hopefully this week as I'm off work...

main hole by passengers feet!



I also removed the A panel to be able to look closer at how the door was fixed. It was indeed welded up so had to cut it off! - the panel holding the door was very corroded so need a new one of these - what are these called, and how much of a job are they to fit? - Is it best to do this at the time of the floor/sill or is it ok to wait until I get to the front??



that's it really - if anyone is bored this week you're more than welcome to come over and help, snigger, drink tea etc...