Chassis transplant

[Bertl]

Hi everybody,

I have serious hope that the restoration of my R4 GTL will gain some momentum now ... the guys from the garage it's been parked at since the winter of '09 couldn't get round to welding the chassis.

Now I just won an auction on a ready-to-roll, zinc-coated chassis ...

So now the process of moving over parts will hopefully start really soon.

* What caveats are there such as ... what needs to be mounted before other parts get bolted on

* What parts should be replaced anyway if such a transplant is made (mounts, bushes ...)

* How is the rear axle dismounted and reattached?

Thanks, Robert

 

[iMacThere4iAm]

Ooh show us some photos of your new chassis
If your rear axle is good, you can remove it in one piece, which is a lot easier than taking it apart.

 

[Bertl]

I haven't picked it up yet, but you can still view the auction, it's ebay.de no. 321030375924

Robert

 

[DavidN]

Hi Bertl,

take some time and browse through some of the restoration threads on this forum.
That way you'll get an idea of what, how, and in which order has to be transplanted.

I'm afraid, there's really too much to advice here.
I think everyone who takes this task has to be some kind of a pioneer and has to make his own experiences while on this task.
Most of the work it is straight forward though, and with the more complicted deatails you are in the best hands here with us on Clemetine's Renault 4 Garage.

One thing you should definitely do before dismantling the old car is to put markers on the front torsion bars.
Mark them on both ends and also the corresponding parts !!!
That way you'll have no problems to get the correct ride height after you installed the front axle on the new chassis.

BTW
You know that a special tool - SUS 311 - comes in very handy for that job?
Without it the removal and mor important the assembling of the front torsion bars is nearly impossible.
(Ask me how I know ... )

The rear axle comes out and goes in in one piece, so no need to worry here about the ride height.
(Just the alignment ... )

And keep us posted - Sounds like an interresting project!

Cheers,

David

 

[angel]

* What parts should be replaced anyway if such a transplant is made (mounts, bushes ...)

Replacing all standard wear items. like suspension bushes, makes little sense at all whether body is on or off (rather hard task, anyway). Replacing rear brake hoses, however is WAY easier with the body off, so if your old ones aren't in top condition, now is the time to do it.

A straightforward job, if somewhat time consuming. You will find it easier to do this in the sequence followed by the factory (fully assembling the mechanicals on the chassis before bolting on the body.

Make sure you have run a tap through all body-to-chassis mounting bolt threads before putting the body on (M7x100 tap).

Also, use the appropriate sealant between the body and the chassis; it's a chewing gum style 10mm bead made by Sika Wurth etc.

 

[Bertl]

Photos

Here are some photos of the chassis taken when I picked it up last Saturday ... thankfully the snow only hit us yesterday

Robert

 

[allez-y]

Bertl, was this a single piece auction or seller has it more?
Thanks.

 

[Bertl]

allez-y, unfortunately enough this was a single chassis ... so no hope for a mass production there.

Robert

 

[allez-y]

As I thought. Thanks.
Hope you'll open your story soon in assembling your 4 under the 'Project' topics here.

 

[Bertl]

Well, we've been dis-assembling

And I found two sets of wheel bearings ... the question is: Which set will fit my rear hubs on my '78 GTL?

I don't have access to the car over Christmas, but would like to have all parts ready for the transplant which is scheduled to happen after January 7th

Robert

 

[angel]

Left set, it is a rear wheel one. If you measure them I can tell you for sure if it is suitable for a GTL-they have been changed three times.

Right set is a front wheel kit.