First picture after removal from car.


Finally got started last night, with alll the great pictures and descriptions on this forum I was able to get the rear end on the floor in 2.5 hours last evening. Last winter I painted everythingI could reach with POR 15 but suspected unseen areas weren't very pretty. I am going to replace shocks and all the bushings and pretty it all up. so hopefully in about 6 weeks it will be ready to go back in. It takes a while here in Canda just to get parts across the border so that will probably be a lot of the waiting.

 

Keep the pictures coming, do you plan to polybush?

 

I looked at the Polybush, but by the time I get them here to Canada with our insane exchange rate just the bushings will be about $600.00 and that seems like a lot. I never push this car it is just a highway cruiser so I am not sure if they will be beneficial or not. It just seems like a lot for 8 pieces of poly. If there is a real difference from OEM I could be convinced to spend the extra.

 

Looking forward to seeing your progress and nice shiny result. Seeing this assembly gives me some ideas for other applications.

 

Trying to show the rusty parts that didn't show from the bottom.


This is a 12 year old Canadian XK8 - looked fine from the bottom, but just as I suspected and why I started this project the subframe looked like it could have some areas for moisture to collect that are not visible with it installed. After getting it apart last evening my suspisions were confirmed. It is a moisture and grit trap along the leading edge of the assembly. Today the parts have gone in for blasting, then I will repair the rusted out areas and get it powder coated. I think when it is reassembled some sealant should go between the lower and vertical frame edge.

 

Heavy awkward sucker isn't it?

Did you get the inner fulcrum pins out or are
you leaving them in place?

 

I am leaving them in, None of the seals show any leaking and other than changing the shocks I see no benefit in taking everything apart. It is awkward but I think I can clean it all up like this.

 

You talked about sealer in another thread.

What about flooding the inside of the A-frame with thick
oil?

 

Here's a pic of my drying rack I used a 2 part epoxy paint

 

Great minds think alike

 

The sealant I am thinking of is something like an Automotive Goop product to keep moisture from getting into the small gap between the lower member and the triangle shaped vertical member that fastens to the fron of the differential and the base. From my picture you will notice that the greatest corrosion is centered between the bolts that hold those 2 parts toghether. Once it is repaired I am going to powder coat all the parts and will then spray a Rust Chek type product inside. There is enough open holes to get material inside the unit.

 

I have about 8 hours of wire brushing, derusting and trying to get out one shock absorber mounting bolt that ended up with the shock absorber bushing being cut apart. The access is tough but this as far as I need to tear it down to replace anything. Between wire brushes and rust removers it is coming pretty clean. Hope to get it coated by the weekend.



8 Hours into cleaning.<br/>

 

Just finished repairing the rusted edge of the lower support and now it is off for sandblasting and Powder Coating. New Shocks and bushings all showed up last night from Rock Auto. I still have few evening of cleaning axles and suspension with the wire brush before coating it all. Should have her back on her feet in another 2 weeks.

 

It takes a while to do this job when you just have a few hours after work, but it is getting back together. I cleaned all of the old paint off and treated it with Metal Prep then 2 coats of POR 15. The new shocks are in and I should have the Powder Coat parts back this week. I am powder coating the rest of the parts the same colour as the car, Pacific Blue. I know I am the only one that will know it but that is why we have these cars.

 

With interruptions from colds and flu, long work hours and some rust repairs I hadn't foreseen, I have finally got the rear sub-frame back together. I had it sandblasted, powder coated the same colour as the car, Pacific Blue, and then clear powder coated. It should be good for the remaining years of my life.
New shocks and bushings and mostly new hardware. I am waiting for a couple of hoses for the evaporative emission system and then hopefully this weekend she will be back on her paws. Big job, and I only I will know it is there, but that is the point I will know it is there.




Front and rear shots of rear end rebuild.

 

I had a quote of £250 to blast and prime the subframe bits for my refurb which was more than I wanted to pay so I'm going to do the best I can with a wire wheel but powder coating does look sooo good.

 

I am lucky to have a buddy who blasted it, put a zinc powder coat , the colour and a clear coat for $180.00. I was his foreman 25 years ago. It pays to be a nice boss.

 

You've got a GREAT looking rear end!

 

Every time I see this thread pop up the first thing I think of is the Kardashians. Sorry--couldn't stifle myself any longer


Doug

 

I notice in post #13 that the lower arm is a full droop.

How did you get it loose enough to do that?

Did you get the fulcrum pins out?