Some good-ish news at last.
Today I spent a morning in my damp garage bolting up the front suspension. Passenger side was straightforward, of course, as the spindles are all good. On the driver's side, it was a bit more interesting, but I found that by strapping the anti roll bar to the cross member such that the bottom of the upright cannot move forward, I was able to get the lower wishbone outer bolts in and this would prevent any tendency for the hub to move forward (my main concern as I was rolling the car off the ramp.
Due to damage to the remains of the spindle, I wasn't able to wind a nut onto the rear arm - so it is loose. And because there is nothing to attach the front lower arm to, it too is loose. However, the upper arms are solid and all the lower arm bolts are too, so at least there is some clamping force at the lower spindle.
Much caution advised at this point. I lowered the car off the stands with the front wheels on ramps, then carefully reversed it onto the floor. I found out that the driver's side suspension has enough attachment points to stay more or less where it belongs, and was able to manoeuvre the car under its own power out onto the road, where I turned it around and backed it into the garage tail first.
Now I have no doubts that I will be able to get it onto a transporter, single handed. So that's one worry dealt with.
Having it back on its wheels again also gives me a lift.
- The front lower arm isn't even lined up. I have a bit of +ve castor. You can see the strap between the x-member and roll bar.
- From the side it looks pretty good.
- Another shot.
- Looks like a happy car now..
Keen eyed readers will notice the lights are up. That is because the vacuum tube on the driver's side was damaged by all the heating and tolchocking (sorry my droogs, I have just vidded "A Clockwork Orange"). Another job to add to the ever expanding list.
Point is, I am ready for the Peterborough trip.