Tips for underneath refresh

[Drummer87]

Alright folk

Planning at some point before the mot to overhaul the underneath of my coupe


Seeing the swap will allow alot of access that wasnt there before.

So what key jobs would you recommend doing to save the ball ache in the future.

Want to hear all the stories from yourselves with jobs you didn't expect or really need doing.

So far toying with solid mounts all round the sub frames.

With the diff does anyone do solid mounts?? Likes of Bambridge. Or would you recommend power flex etc or oem.

Guessing changing the seals on the diff would be key, any other parts on the diff critical to replace??

Thinking solid mounts on the gearbox also with the engine if there are said mounts. Been reading heaps on the forums about the engine mounts street density poly.

Usual suspects like track rods, brake lines fuel lines etc.

I know there most be jobs worth doing whilst at it.

All input

Suggest replacement parts etc or uprated ones

Ta Chris

[Rusty]

Depends what route you take. Route 1 is to inspect, clean, rebuild and refurbish whatever possible and only replace what's truly knackered. Route 2 is to just replace everything, including nuts, bolts, washers, bushes... etc. etc.

As for OE rubber, poly or solid, that totally depends on your intended use for the car...

[here2learn]

it was recommended to me to use a steam cleaner on the underside, as it will not inject water under the under seal but makes it pliable enough to remove and gives a realy good clean finish on the remaining stuff.

i have yet to do this but picked up a vax one from ebay for £30

[irishs2]

As Rusty said, inspect first see what you need. But more than likely you will have to do the fuel lines if they are original, and they will be easier to do with the front subframe off.

[europeanme]

sorry Chris I thought this was a medical question....

[Drummer87]

I know for sure both frames need replaced. That's a given.

Guess when doing the job have a look around. Just thought there might be key things to just do.

Kinda wanting to amass all the parts before doing the work.

With bushes. Believe solid on the subframes is key for geometry in the long run.

With diff there three bushes?? Could be wrong.

Engine wise want to have it near as stiff as possible. Basically the whole drivetrain free from movement.

So the question is... Is Bambridge the man for all the mounts??

I know for sure I can get from him

Solid subframe mounts and Engine mounts

What about Gearbox and Diff??

[Drummer87]

sorry Chris I thought this was a medical question....

Cheeky

[Drummer87]

As Rusty said, inspect first see what you need. But more than likely you will have to do the fuel lines if they are original, and they will be easier to do with the front subframe off.

Fuel lines were replaced when I got the car... As they were original and pissed fuel all over the workshop floor

Fuel filter still hasn't been replaced in my owner ship.

Seeing I've gone to great lengths with the overhaul of the body. Thought give the girl some treatment underneath.

It looks clean apart from the subframes lol

[europeanme]

Cheeky

with answer to one of your questions I think Kev does the gearbox mounts but I'm not sure about diff mounts....KDR engineering will be a good place to start...

(FYI he is away at the minute.....)

[Drummer87]

I Messaged kev yesterday that explains it.

Ok will do. Thanks for that.

[Rusty]

If you're only using the car on the road then just get good quiality OE rubber bushes, as replacing the old stuff with these will make the car drive like new. Solid, poly, delrin etc. bushes do offer better axle location but at the cost of increased noise and vibration in the cabin. If that's not a concern, then wishbone, subframe bushes and top mounts are all worth investing in proper ones. Poly bushes on steering and track arms will be fine whatever you do.

[bilko0795]

Iv gone route 2 everything and i mean everything Iv bought every part that can be changed Soild sub mounts ( bambridge ) poly everything else just waiting to get the car in me garage to start work should take about 3 months to complete with a bit of luck.

[Drummer87]

Top mounts like the ones your making

Noise and vibration doesn't bother me. It's not my daily car. I throw it about but want to stiffen up the feeling of the car.

What can you offer

Wishbones is there a solid alternative?? Or just polyurethane

[Drummer87]

Iv gone route 2 everything and i mean everything Iv bought every part that can be changed Soild sub mounts ( bambridge ) poly everything else just waiting to get the car in me garage to start work should take about 3 months to complete with a bit of luck.

Awesome. Surely wouldn't take 3 months

The sub mounts look bitching??

Are you changing your engine mounts also ?

[bilko0795]

If you do your fuel lines get some Norgren push fittings they are expensive £20 for five but they are and a doddle to fit Took me 1 1/2 hours to change all my lines