ZT 190+ comm number 468

[jonc3725]

A bit of an update.

Firstly I repainted the rear calipers, this time with the correct caliper paint but in the same colour.

IMG_20200114_203527 by Jon Christie, on Flickr

IMG_20200114_203538 by Jon Christie, on Flickr

Additionally the hand brake was set up on the shoe adjusters.

The steering rack has been refurbished by a professional steering rack repairer and is now sat on the refurbished front subframe. I use the same company all the time and they have never let me down.

IMG_20200111_113239 by Jon Christie, on Flickr

Now onto the front suspension. I have been looking forward to this fight

Firstly my only use for the steel spare wheel is to enable me to remove the hub nuts. On the front wheels I remove the calipers and caliper carriers, fit the spare then using a 3ft 1/2 inch drive breaker bar and a small extension and the car on the ground I have never failed to undo a hub nut with too much problem

IMG_20200119_170847 by Jon Christie, on Flickr

The passenger side was a struggle to undo once the torque was broken. Once undone I could see the drive shaft end thread was damaged. I dont know why but I suspect a previous job had been done and maybe the thread got damaged then. It was not cross threaded so I dressed up the damage and now the thread runs true.

Next up the strip down begins. Firstly I recommend the following:

Use penetrating oil on all the fastenings and give it time to work
Use decent 6 point sockets rather than 12 points
I use a 1/2 inch breaker bar
I use a fox wedge to open the pinch collars on the hub but only ever so slightly. Too much and you can damage the hub.

I wont go through the breakdown as its easier to show on build up but both side stripped down

IMG_20200121_201104 by Jon Christie, on Flickr

and the struts removed

IMG_20200121_201050 by Jon Christie, on Flickr

As the front links have not given me any issues I have new boots to fit and will give them a refurb rather than buying Chinese NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD- in the numerous guises out there.

Also I will re use the passenger side hub after a refurb.

The front strip down goes on and an update to follow,