Build session 2 – Wishbones, Steering and Suspension

I had a whole day on the car today, so managed to make some really good progress.

The first job was the wishbones – the upper ones were a real pain, mainly because they didn’t fit easily. They were both just a few mm too tight, which meant that I had to almost force them home. It took me nearly an hour to fit the first one, trying hard not to damage the powder coating. The second one went in OK, but then, on fitting, I find out that the nut is so close to the bodywork you almost have to bend the panel to get it on, another 20 mins to do this and I am wondering both if I can do this, and also why things don’t fit very easily – not a great start!

I was prepared for more hassle with the lower wishbones, after what most blogs seemed to say about getting the washers in, and whilst it was fiddly (I even resorted to the rubber hammer at one point), I managed to get them both in after another 2 hours, and progress felt better.

I then do an easy job, which is the steering rack, and then decide it is time for some lunch.

After lunch, I decided to go for the dampers next, and then spent the next 20 mins working out which spacers to use, and also then 30 mins getting a single bolt out! Most people seem to say this is really awkward, so I feel pleased when, after much wiggling, I manage to get the first damper in. The second one is actually harder — I think because the RH side of the car is slightly different to the LH side – just by 1 or 2 MM, but enough to make things a little more tricky.

Anyway after much wiggling, and using a range of different cut-down allen keys, we are there!

Buoyed by my progress, I then crack on to the sides, and the wing stays – once the correct nut for the wide track is found, then these go on with relatively little fuss if you put them in the bottom fitting first.

And to celebrate my progress, I also decide just to offer up the wheel, just to see what it will look like …. I am very pleased with my choice, and the progress today, especially after a slow start.