Message deleted jimj, sorry for offending
John

Hi All,
Went out and looked at the job this morning! Hummed and Haad, decided way ahead/planned job... Went back in and put the kettle on. A little at a time methinks. I might jack up the rear this pm and take the wheels off.

Well its a start!

Alex..

EEEMMM! Drank the tea and started. Wishbones are off and in the workshop to have the turnbuckles fitted. Taking a deep breath just now and about to cut the 50mm or so section of tube out. I will then machine the tube inserts from McGill to suit the tube I/D. Center the lot and weld them in. I will have these finished soon. God knows why I am motoring on with this. Jst like to have these things finished and done with.

I will take some pics later...


Alex

Yes, You had better crack on Alex, as your new ratio diff is winging its way to you, even as i type. It left today on a 1-2 day service, UPS, but in my experience, they have only ever taken 1 day, so look out for it tomorrow.

Leslie

Oh and Alex, whilst i remember it, remove the nearside, top diff mounting bush, after you have dropped the bolt out of it, as it will foul the offside ear of the ally casing, as you manhandle the diff out.

Leslie

Hi Again Leslie, All..
I have work to do tomorrow but have some time in the afternoon. I should be home for around 3pm max. G/teed to miss the delivery. I always do. However I have good neighbours...

I Have done the adjustment mod with the turnbuckle on one of the A frames. Just need to weld it into place now. Some pics to follow.

good start..

Alex B....

Hi Guys,
That is the diff' ready to remove from the car. I have as you can see left the struts / driveshafts on. I slackened back the road springs & took off all the compression which took the load off the doughnuts. Everything came apart really easily due to the copperslip during ass'y. It will be on the bench this weekend. I just need a lift with it, so awaiting fit young son. We will remove & swop over diff' and refit on Sunday I suspect. Just the mod's to the A frames to finish. (NOT easy! More difficult than I thought!!)

Question. Leslie (512BB) who supplied the great looking recon'd 3,54 diff has said the speedo drive gear need to be the 22 tooth item. Can anyone tell me the colour of it. Its not black. I have one of those and it has 23 Teeth.

Couple of pics for you..

Alex ..

Hi Alex and others

Started to take my rear suspension apart yesterday, am very envious of your nice and clean looking underside... of the car I mean.

Please let us know of your troubles with the adjustable rear wishbones.

Hi All,
To make and fit decent strong parts and fit them is a problem. If say for EG the overall size of the centered turnbuckle and tube inserts is 90 mm. Inserting the tube inserts almost fully before welding means that you need to displace the ends of the tube enough to fully insert the assembly as far as it will go one way. OK so far?
This leaves you with about 40 mm sticking out of one end of the tube. More than the cut out! You could make the turnbuckle and locknuts small enough to slide fully into 1 end of the tube. Re aligne and center the assy, but that makes the dia of the assy way to small in my humble. It looks very weak. Getting round this and keeping the assy strong is not easy. I ended up with half the 20 mm long tube inserts engaged in either end of the tubes.
Properly welded (I used tig) they look fine. But it means bending the tubes slightly then realigning b4 welding.

Thus....See pic...

Only one tested so far. Only had 1 spare A frame to try with. It is a good A frame and will be usable.
Looks nice n strong. ALL HT metal and nuts. Turnbuckle is from EN8. (a bugger to thread!!)

jas... The turnbuckles are fine. Just about dead on. Get some nuts to suit and just turn down a 'lip' to insert into the tube ends. Be carefull Cut out only what you need.Dont overdo it. Not too easy to put back.

Mk 2 could easily see me removing a section of tube fitting the turnbuckle etc with minimum removed, then weld back the tube with a slip over re- enforcement tube welded over top if you like. Know what I mean?

Clear as mud I suspect..Sorry.

Alex B....

Hi Les, All,
Diff' has been out on the bench, changed for the new 3.54 and refitted. It is bolted back in etc and now awaiting what's next with the wishbone adjusters. Going onto the MK2. as prev' discribed. I have some 22mm & 25mm dia pipe to pick up next week. To try a repair on the A frames Geoff sent me complete with adjusters I hope.

Keep you posted..

Alex B....