1971 Journey
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Once I get the car all fitted I will pull the bars and get them re chromed.
Hopefully they will then just bolt up in place nicely
Hopefully they will then just bolt up in place nicely
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Spent some more time today and did a bit more adjustment as well as fitted up valence, exhaust trim etc.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:45 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Fitted and adjusted the rear exhaust today.
Rear is looking almost done.
Rear is looking almost done.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:45 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Before dropping off the Vette for paint I wound up the front coilers and rear spring bolts to give it a bit of height.
Should have documented exactly where i had it.
So today I was doing a few test drives and adjusting the front ride height as well as trying to get the rear to settle after being in the air for a fair while.
Must say it was great to drive it on the roads again after such a long break.
Next week i am going to start installing the Vansteel coilover trailing arms so am not that worried about getting rear correct yet.
Will probably raise the front a bit from here but need to see how the back sits with the Vansteel kit.
Should have documented exactly where i had it.
So today I was doing a few test drives and adjusting the front ride height as well as trying to get the rear to settle after being in the air for a fair while.
Must say it was great to drive it on the roads again after such a long break.
Next week i am going to start installing the Vansteel coilover trailing arms so am not that worried about getting rear correct yet.
Will probably raise the front a bit from here but need to see how the back sits with the Vansteel kit.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:44 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I had a bit of blackout to do so seemed easier to mask entire car with a disposable car cover.
Black enamel has a tendency to stick to everything.
Black enamel has a tendency to stick to everything.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:44 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
looking good as always.
you'll have to trailer it to Adelaide next easter for the Nationals, if your finished.......
or i'll have to wait till 2021 for them to be back in Canberra to see it again.
you'll have to trailer it to Adelaide next easter for the Nationals, if your finished.......
or i'll have to wait till 2021 for them to be back in Canberra to see it again.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Thanks Alan
would love to get to Adelaide, and hopefully I will have the current round of projects finished by then ��
2021 in Canberra again, I did not know that but will be at that one for sure.
would love to get to Adelaide, and hopefully I will have the current round of projects finished by then ��
2021 in Canberra again, I did not know that but will be at that one for sure.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Removed the rear spring today as well as the strut bracket.
Was a little bit of a pain as I did it without removing exhaust and one bolt on the spring did not want to budge...but lots of penetrating oil and a few hours wait and it came free.
I can see lots of mods for the exhaust route once this update is finished and there is more space.
Was a little bit of a pain as I did it without removing exhaust and one bolt on the spring did not want to budge...but lots of penetrating oil and a few hours wait and it came free.
I can see lots of mods for the exhaust route once this update is finished and there is more space.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:44 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Tailing arms out and I decided to keep going, half shafts, exhaust etc out and next the diff.
Then I can give the underside a good cleanup, get diff rebuilt and put it all back.
Then I can give the underside a good cleanup, get diff rebuilt and put it all back.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:44 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
This morning I removed the diff and crossmember.
Well that was a lot easier than I was expecting. After reading so many posts about using huge pry bars etc I was ready for a battle
Yesterday I build a wooden cradle for one of my jacks to hold the diff securely.
In the end the strap was not needed but an extra precaution just in case. I ended tightening it up as much as I could by hand as i could not find a ratchet one..
Today I removed the tail shaft, took out the front diff cradle bolt and loosened the 2 frame bolts that hold the diff crossmember
Using a 3 arm puller on each side I worked each side down till it popped and settled on the bolts and cradle. Each side took less than a minute to release
Then lowered it to the ground and took it outside.
Well that was a lot easier than I was expecting. After reading so many posts about using huge pry bars etc I was ready for a battle
Yesterday I build a wooden cradle for one of my jacks to hold the diff securely.
In the end the strap was not needed but an extra precaution just in case. I ended tightening it up as much as I could by hand as i could not find a ratchet one..
Today I removed the tail shaft, took out the front diff cradle bolt and loosened the 2 frame bolts that hold the diff crossmember
Using a 3 arm puller on each side I worked each side down till it popped and settled on the bolts and cradle. Each side took less than a minute to release
Then lowered it to the ground and took it outside.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:44 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Bent back the tabs and knocked out the olds rubber mounts from the differential support.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Marked the tailshaft with a punch for position then stripped the universal joints.
Will get the shafts brackets and supports blasted while diff is out for rebuild.
Will get the shafts brackets and supports blasted while diff is out for rebuild.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cleaned up the diff and ready to drop off for rebuild.
I have all the clutches, bearings seals etc to give them as they won't have easy local access to needed parts.
I have all the clutches, bearings seals etc to give them as they won't have easy local access to needed parts.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I got my tail shaft and half shafts back from the media blaster and painted them with POR Metal Mask.
The diff is in being rebuilt as well as changing the gears from 3.08 to 3.36 (Thanks to Brad).
Now I need to get stuck into cleaning up under the rear of the Vette, repairing some glass damage under one of the storage boxes and some frame painting.
Then i will be able to start putting it all together ....
The diff is in being rebuilt as well as changing the gears from 3.08 to 3.36 (Thanks to Brad).
Now I need to get stuck into cleaning up under the rear of the Vette, repairing some glass damage under one of the storage boxes and some frame painting.
Then i will be able to start putting it all together ....
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I thought I posted this before but could not find it in thread.
Fitted up the front bars etc.
Added rubber behind the bumperettes to protect paint.
Fitted up the front bars etc.
Added rubber behind the bumperettes to protect paint.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:43 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
Looks awesome Craig, always a nice neat job. Car is looking beautiful for sure. I have been filling the inside outer bumper pockets with VPA to create a more solid bumper pocket, just another option! Great job..................................... .......
ZIO
ZIO