Repairs and resprays by other club members

I stripped all the rear suspension and rear drive train off the back of my zed last night, in the smallest of single garages (only just wider than 7" door) with with a 12 & 14mm socket and 12, 14 & 19mm spanner. I did use a hammer to remove the cotter pins and spindle pins though. You don't need much in the way of tools to remove most parts from a zed.

Pete has been doing it for years with just a disc cutter :)
 
I like the pep talk from Jonnymd above re stripping a suspension in a single garage. I will now be less likely to use my small single garage as an excuse not to do a job. My bugbear are bolts that are stuck. I am afraid of shearing stuff and then I am stuffed (I don't know any cavalry to come to my rescue). I am getting to learn the magic of the breaker bar ! Will probably take my cylinder head off this winter to see what needs to be done. It's a biggy job for me as I just know that last head bolt is going to go snap. All about learning, eh
 
Jon - I took the front diff cross member and rear caps off so didn't undo those bolts. I may regret this as I seam to remember they are hard to undo when off the car.
 
Like Nospark says I'm also afraid of shearing stuff and then being stuffed, stripping threads is another fear, and shorting things out. I have struck very lucky with a workshop with car lift all to myself for the winter. I have a few spanners, a multimeter, I must learn how it works one day :D a drill :eek: a hammer :smash: a sander :D Hell I even have a metric adjustable :lol: and so just like Rich says, yeah I'm just gonna have to man up and get on with it :thumbs:
I already have visions of Laurel and Hardy's 'Towed in a Hole' https://youtu.be/wmTqquhstEQ :rofl:

Jon!!!!!!!! Derrick!!!!!!! You busy???? :D haha
 
Sounds like the people who can do the work are too busy and when they do have time they do it for good friends which is understandable.

Perhaps it may be best for a thread on recommended garages that people have used. Specify what was done and why you'd recommend them. Start off with stating the region the garage is in to make searches easier and the content relevant to those in that area.
 
Do you not have over there garage associations where for a very modest fee, you can 'rent' time in an equipped garage....like a motel by the hour but for the car lol.
 
The pricing for the workshop and equipment hire doesn't sound that bad. As the place is 24hr I'm guessing a day is 24hrs. You could get a lot done in that time or maybe share the time with someone else.
 
Hmm £100 a day or £20 per hour eh, now how many ramps have i got ? Tom, John, Darren, think i may go and buy an apron and serve bacon rolls and tea as well :lol:
 
SKiddell said:
Sadly yes schemes like that exists eg
http://u-spanner.co.uk/
Click to expand...

I think these are an interesting idea, but for classics with, not always available quickly spares, it's not ideal. We all know how a simple job can turn into something more drawn out, you need another part or some help, but the cars now immobile on there ramps and.... you get the idea :rofl:

Mr.G said:
Sounds like the people who can do the work are too busy and when they do have time they do it for good friends which is understandable.

Perhaps it may be best for a thread on recommended garages that people have used. Specify what was done and why you'd recommend them. Start off with stating the region the garage is in to make searches easier and the content relevant to those in that area.
Click to expand...

A nice idea, but as you say, those who have the facilities can't neccesarily help, and lots of people appear to do their own work and not use a garage... which seems to leave just the overly expensive specialist's then! :unsure: oh to have friends in the trade:rolleyes:
 
toopy said:
I think these are an interesting idea, but for classics with, not always available quickly spares, it's not ideal. We all know how a simple job can turn into something more drawn out, you need another part or some help, but the cars now immobile on there ramps and.... you get the idea :rofl:



A nice idea, but as you say, those who have the facilities can't neccesarily help, and lots of people appear to do their own work and not use a garage... which seems to leave just the overly expensive specialist's then! :unsure: oh to have friends in the trade:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Toopy - if you were local to me I would love to help you out. I don't see myself as an expert but when it comes to mechanical things on a Z, you can do most jobs just as good as an expert (or even better) due to the best commodity that you available to you and that is time... Take your time and be methodical and you should get good results.. I always do lots of research first and speak to others that have done the particular task I've set myself up for. It's always good to also have someone experienced there with you to provide another set of eyes and thoughts... Good luck!!
 
the only way i can do it is to rent a draughty old shed thats got an asbestos roof ,an ex pig pen to be exact,:unsure:progress is slow but im getting things done,but its only for the brave to restore something in these conditions,never ever again!!
 
Toopy you quote overly expensive specialists :unsure: having premises and equipment is quite an expensive hobby you average size establishment costs

1 rent/rates electric water £400
2 ramp inspections/ insurance, compressor insurance/ inspections maintenance £100
3 pat testing
4 customer car insurance £120
5 say 3 technicians wages including employers contribution NI, Paye and now work place pensions :rolleyes: £650 each

All weekly amounts = about £2500 a week so thats £500 a day to go in the till then theres the boss who hasn't taken anything yet and the accountant wants a slice to :cheers:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top