Showing posts with label Vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vacation. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Vacation - Pt. 2 - The Stuck Strut Cartridge

The first major issue I was forced up against over my vacation was a stuck strut cartridge.

From Z2


When disassembling my suspension, this one front strut tube was the only one that I had any issues with. We banged on it, heated it up with my new Mapp gas torch (do not do this is your strut is not already blown), and beat the ever living piss out of it from every angle.

Then we tried the hoist.

From Z2


I laid the hoist on its side, trapped the strut tube under one of the legs and started pumping.

From Z2


I actually had to sit on the thing because it was starting to bend and lift there was so much pressure applied. Even with the chain pulled tight enough to play it like a guitar string, it still didn't budge, and frankly we were afraid of what would happen if it did at that point. So we moved on.

From Z2


Later, since I was cutting and sectioning the struts any way I decided to measure out the cut points and try to cut the strut tube and the whole strut cartridge in half, hoping that it would break the cartridge free.

From Z2


That turned out to be wishful thinking.

I ended up driving out to Harbor Freight at a total loss for how to get this effing tube out, and came back with this BAMF.

From Z2


A 12 ton hydraulic press.

From Z2


While I was there I picked up a round hunk of metal to stuff through the tube and push the stuck cartridge housing out.

From Z2


Didn't work.

Not terribly upset though cause I only spent $100 on the press and now I can do my own wheel bearings. lol.

After completely giving up from hammering on this mother fucker for upwards of 6 hours, the nice little old lady that runs my local hardware store gave me the solution.


Nails.

From Z2


As you can see in the picture I just hammered about fifteen nails into the strut tube separating the cartridge housing and satisfaction was achieved.

From Z2


Tough Guy was very proud of me.

Now I can finally finish my suspension build!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Back from Vacation...

Wishing I wasn't.

The cape was the bomb. Nothing but chillin.


Can't wait to get back to work on my Z.




This will be playing in my garage.



Also, I am looking for a replacement gas tank!
If you know someone who has one in good shape hit me up about it. Looking for EFI tank from before they changed the shape (6/76) so 74/75 is good.

Thanks!

Friday, August 6, 2010

It's that time...

It's that time of the year again!

Heading to the Cape for a week! Leaving first thing tomorrow morning.

From The Cape 2010



We'll be chillin on the beach by lunch time.

From The Cape 2010


You aren't going to be hearing much from me until I get back.

From The Cape 2010


There's usually a bunch of British roadsters buzzing around down there. If I see anything noteworthy I'll snap a quickie and post it up.

From The Cape 2010


Until then.. Chillbot engage.