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Front Suspension
A problem was found with the front suspension
which didn't return - i.e. you pushed it down & it stayed down, making the
tie rods rub the bottom of the petrol tank - seized roller bearings in
the front beam. Apparently this job is a real sod to do so I conned Stu into
helping me fit a spare rust free replacement. The replacement beam was adjustable
where as the original was cut & turned so I can now get over speed humps
without grounding One ball joint was a bit worn so I replaced it and both tie rod ends on the short tie rod were worn so I replaced those too.
There was a lot of wear found in the arm that joins the steering box to the tie
rods (pitman arm??) in the tie rod holes so a good spare was fitted. A set of bugpack shocks were also fitted up-front.
At this point the wheels were changed to stock bug ones to give a bit more
ground clearance.
D/S heater channel, inner wings & rear quarter
With the mot & winter looming I decided it was a good time to replace
the heater channel on the drivers side. This had started to look a bit flimsy in
places on the inside, plus a bit of heating would be nice. Set aside a weekend
and went for it. After the remains of the channel was removed the hard bit was
getting the extra panel bits off the sides of the floorpan to make it look tidy
(the cars channels were originally welded to the floor - typical 'get through the
mot' welding). Also replaced at the same time were the bottom of the A post,
front inner wing, rear door - wing panel and heater channel end plate (under the
rear wing). A section of the floor edging under the rear seat was also
replaced.
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Full Resto
After a few years it was
starting to show it's age so I decided it was time for a resto.
Chassis was treated to 2 new floor pans and a coat
of paint. A couple of new solid brake pipes and gearbox mounts were added.
Bodywork
involved a strip down prep and respray in 2pack Speed Blue metallic (new bug colour
same as the 1303)
with only a couple of minor welding bits here and there, 4 new wings, 2
replacement doors and a new set of window rubbers.
Interior - fitted some standard seats in place of
the recaros (too low down & didn't tilt), replaced the loom, added late column
mounted wiper stalks, refitted the headliner (horrible job) and a new carpet &
door panels finished it
off nicely.
The 1300 t/p was given a complete over-hall by Lee (07855 250256) including new
seals, cam & main bearings, big end and pushrods. The tinware was painted, new
tailpipes, a good set of heat exchangers and as the carb & distributor were
nearly new these were ok. All fuel lines were replaced as were the rear axle
boots & some new pads on the front.
