Steve Webb
20-05-12, 19:07
With prop-shaft and transaxle out of the way it was only sensible that I drop the rear suspension so I could a) get a good look at it, b) replace all the bushes, c) get better access to the floor of the car to spruce it up.
First off I stripped the trim from the boot so I could get a good look at all the corners in there. Also it gave me access to the top bolts of the rear dampers, and revealed why one of the rear wings was a little wavy!
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/spare.JPG
Apart from a little surface rust the boot looks good. Just need to break out the hair dryer and scraper to get rid of the bitumen matting.
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/boot.JPG
The rest of the boot looks good to. Even if it is in baby-sick green.
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/rearwing.JPG
The reason for the wavy rear wing, the lower section has been cut out at some point in the past and replaced (badly)
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/rearwing2.JPG
The wing from the outside with its wavy swage line.
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/rearframe.JPG
No stuck or seized bolts so it was very straightforward to disconnect the watts linkage, dampers and anti-roll bar, and drop the frame to the floor on jacks.
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/springmount1.JPG
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/springmount2.JPG
It looks like the lower spring mounts will need a little work, not sure if the holes are down to rust or rubbing.
With all that out the way, its just the fuel tank and a few pipes and the underside is clear.
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/underside1.JPG
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/underside2.JPG
Looks pretty good, no major rust and certainly no holes.
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/spring.JPG
Even the springs look in good condition. Don't think they will be reused though. One thing I want this car to do is handle, so new bushes \ springs \ roll bars all round.
First off I stripped the trim from the boot so I could get a good look at all the corners in there. Also it gave me access to the top bolts of the rear dampers, and revealed why one of the rear wings was a little wavy!
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/spare.JPG
Apart from a little surface rust the boot looks good. Just need to break out the hair dryer and scraper to get rid of the bitumen matting.
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/boot.JPG
The rest of the boot looks good to. Even if it is in baby-sick green.
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/rearwing.JPG
The reason for the wavy rear wing, the lower section has been cut out at some point in the past and replaced (badly)
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/rearwing2.JPG
The wing from the outside with its wavy swage line.
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/rearframe.JPG
No stuck or seized bolts so it was very straightforward to disconnect the watts linkage, dampers and anti-roll bar, and drop the frame to the floor on jacks.
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/springmount1.JPG
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/springmount2.JPG
It looks like the lower spring mounts will need a little work, not sure if the holes are down to rust or rubbing.
With all that out the way, its just the fuel tank and a few pipes and the underside is clear.
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/underside1.JPG
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/underside2.JPG
Looks pretty good, no major rust and certainly no holes.
http://www.berlinasportivo.com/forumpics/project_gtv/20120520/spring.JPG
Even the springs look in good condition. Don't think they will be reused though. One thing I want this car to do is handle, so new bushes \ springs \ roll bars all round.