Month: April 2019

Had a bit of downtime yesterday in between brewing stages, so i pulled the NB steering rack and started pulling it down.

Firstly, looks like it has had some work done to it in the past, some nifty old school wire work:

[img]http://images.plebeians.net/i.php?/upload/2019/04/25/20190425053256-2ff2fd6d-xl.jpg[/img]

Pulled the pinion housing out:

[img]http://images.plebeians.net/i.php?/upload/2019/04/25/20190425053320-475afd76-xl.jpg[/img]

Then removed the pinion:

[img]http://images.plebeians.net/i.php?/upload/2019/04/25/20190425053341-8a7e259e-xl.jpg[/img]

Some people talk about this being a horrible job, but it just slipped out with a few taps of a soft face hammer.

Similarly the valve body slipped straight off:

[img]http://images.plebeians.net/i.php?/upload/2019/04/25/20190425053358-3d2d3fcc-xl.jpg[/img]

Now we can see where we need to weld:

[img]http://images.plebeians.net/i.php?/upload/2019/04/25/20190425053411-53968e3f-xl.jpg[/img]

This seems to be the newer design of rack, with the rectangular tang end, rather than the splined setup. I have some silicon bronze filler on order and toying with just silicon bronzing it up. But if not ill just put in some side stitches in the concave reliefs with ER70S6 and add some silver solder to braze the rest together.

Then as i was pulling the car back into the garage i found out another issue with the idiotic fail of an overflow bottle:

[img]http://images.plebeians.net/_data/i/upload/2019/04/25/20190425053430-f08623dd-xl.jpg[/img]

The side of it fouls on the popup headlight actuation arm, and broke the pivot cup.

[img]http://images.plebeians.net/_data/i/upload/2019/04/25/20190425053443-149e747b-xl.jpg[/img]

Apparently this is a fairly common wear and tear issue, and the solution is to clean it all up, and glue them back in place:

[img]http://images.plebeians.net/_data/i/upload/2019/04/25/20190425053455-3ab44d8d-xl.jpg[/img]

[img]http://images.plebeians.net/_data/i/upload/2019/04/25/20190425053455-3ab44d8d-xl.jpg[/img]

Will have to see how well it works, and how long it holds up for. Might just order a spare to keep around.

Nup, failed on first actuation:

[img]http://images.plebeians.net/i.php?/upload/2019/04/25/20190425231301-5f4f79ae-xl.jpg[/img]

This showed up in the post today though, makes it vaguely better:

[img]http://images.plebeians.net/i.php?/upload/2019/04/25/20190425231239-6c8cde38-xl.jpg[/img]

Took advantage of having some store credit at Supercheap, plus their Easter weekend 20% off special orders and a few other bonus deals.

Another month on, rolled the guards, got a wheel alignment for the rear, and started the logbooking process. Currently waiting for CAMS to get back to me on my cage certification so i can put that on the logbook application.

Had to snap a few photos for the logbook:

[img]http://images.plebeians.net/_data/i/upload/2019/04/23/20190423220912-f8f2c8b0-xl.jpg[/img]

[img]http://images.plebeians.net/upload/2019/04/23/20190423221415-247ab197.jpg[/img]

On the way home today i ducked past the waste transfer station to get a weight. Currently 1010kg with 3/4 tank of fuel, toolkit and spare tyre in the boot. 975kg without the stuff in the boot. Not bad given that it still has all the carpet and stuff in it, only ditched AC and door trims, plus added the frame rails and rear subframe reinforcements along with the NB diff.

Overall the NB diff and subframe make it feel a lot more planted in the rear, and it hooks up nicely now. The upgraded brake master makes the brakes feel very on point, and almost slightly touchy, but not to the point of locking up. Need to tweak front/rear bias though as it feels a little forward biased currently.

Next up is to start mocking up the IC for the turbo install so I can put in the oil cooler and thermostat ahead of time. Starting to get new quotes for the engine machine work, given the continued delays with the current shop.