The restoration of Wombat

**russellrovers** · 13th September 2015, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by crackers

I did do the crowbar in the hole, push hard and whack with a small sledge job. The top of the rear cross member is now more or less straight. It is, however, twisted so I'm going to have to have a go at un-twisting that, probably with a pipe wrench if I can find my big one. A tear opened in the top of the metal as Sitec suggested but nothing a line of weld won't fix/hide.

Looking at that cross member, it's had a hard life. If I wanted her to be perfect, I'd have to cut it off and replace it. Leaving her as is, with all her dents and bings, just reflects her age and character. With a bit more work on that right hand side, I reckon leaving it is probably a good move. I'm also considering that unless I buy a really good condition tub (if I can find one), mine is going to be banged about with big repairs at the back where the metal is badly torn. She's unlikely to be a fashion queen. Things to ponder as I get to them. I can always cut that cross member off and replace it at a later stage.

hi have a rear tub here for a 107 no damage also chassis been been cut up and selected good parts of chassi and rest scrapped if you need phone me jim

**crackers** · 13th September 2015, 05:07 PM

Got the steering column out today. Longish, slow job, just start at the top and work down... and pretend I'm not going to have to restore these bits later (scary).

The main bracket holding the column to the firewall is a two part job. Unfortunately, the bottom half of that bracket is broken along one side so it'll need replacing.

Compulsory picture to show I'm not fibbing - steering column sitting on wheel

You'll also note how clean everything is after yesterday's effort. For example, that steering box was a mass of cacked on, oil soaked, crud and it's shape impossible to define, let alone actually remove it.

**slug_burner** · 13th September 2015, 06:18 PM

Don't throw those broken bits away. You can always use them as templates to get replacements made.

**crackers** · 13th September 2015, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by slug_burner

Don't throw those broken bits away. You can always use them as templates to get replacements made.

I'm not even throwing broken bolts out, they may give me a lead on what I need to bolt something back together

**Sitec** · 13th September 2015, 07:48 PM

Here's a sketch of how I'd tackle it.

**crackers** · 13th September 2015, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by Sitec

Here's a sketch of how I'd tackle it.

Looks good. How would you handle the twist it's got? That's the biggest problem I have.

**Sitec** · 13th September 2015, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by crackers

Looks good. How would you handle the twist it's got? That's the biggest problem I have.

That's where the right amount of hammer work on the bends comes into play.

**crackers** · 13th September 2015, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by Sitec

That's where the right amount of hammer work on the bends comes into play.

Bugga, finesse

**klonk** · 13th September 2015, 10:30 PM

Just catching up with your post. Your going well.

I picked up on your comment about chassis colour. The yellow you mention will be a primer. So your chassis colour will be the black.
Klonk had the same under the green paint. I think it's zinc chromate.

**Homestar** · 14th September 2015, 05:01 AM

Originally Posted by Sitec

Here's a sketch of how I'd tackle it.

Great idea - that's the go.

Thread: The restoration of Wombat

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