Heavy Metal

 I didn't get to work on the Ghia yesterday because I had to drive to Dallas on business, but it would have been a great day to turn a corner, so to speak, in the process.  As it is, I was able to get after some of the front suspension the week before, when the temperature dropped and just enough snow fell that we got a day off.  Cold though it was, it was still a bright sunshiney day, and I went out to bust some knuckles on some cold and heavy steel.

As it turns out, I didn't manage to hurt myself in spite of the cold and the repeated use of a hammer to remove the tie rod ends and the ball joints.  Because they have to literally support all the steel I've already managed to strip off the car, the suspension parts are the heaviest and hardest to remove of all the pieces on the frame, including the engine.  I used a special tool called a 'pickle fork' to remove the tie rod ends, driving the wedge-like steel fork into the gap between the stuck tie-rod end and the pitman arm (on the steering box) and the wheel spindles.  It seemed like mayhem, but after a couple of whacks, they came right out.

I wish the same could be said for the ball joints.  The top joints fell out of their mountings with a couple of hard whacks with the hammer, but the bottom joints are in too fast to simply bang out, especially on a cold day.  I've been reading that the way to get them out is to heat the torsion arm mounts until they are a dull red, then bang 'em out with the hammer.  It doesn't sound very precise, but it might be easier and cheaper than buying a special tool.

Once I removed the brake rotors I had my first look at the front wheel bearings, which looked perfect.  A little clean and some new grease and it will work perfectly.  I am not so sure about the rotors, which are a bit rusty on the edges but otherwise smooth across the braking surface.  They aren't expensive to replace, but I am working on the principle that anything not broken or worn out can be cleaned up and put back on the car.  It's both economical and respectful of the mechanics--if it ain't broke, I am not going to fix it.  Besides, there's plenty of broken and rusty stuff that I can replace!  In any case, I am finally down to the most basic element.  Once I replace the two bushings on the torsion bar arms, I'll be on my way back up.

Next: Ball joint banging

Power Wash

Last Sunday was a real milestone in this project.  It was a beautiful unseasonably warm day, just perfect for getting out and cleaning my freshly stripped down chassis with a power-washer.  First, I removed the wheels and put the frame up on jackstands.  Next, I pulled off the brake calipers on the front and the shock absorbers from both front and back.

Then, after covering the engine with a plastic bag, it was time to get down and dirty.

And hoo boy, was it dirty!  Fortunately, it was relatively easy to clean.  Although there was a lot of dirt built up in places where bits of grease had served as magnets for crud, these bits blew off easily.  In places where I thought that rust had invaded the frame I discovered to my surprise that the rust was only superficial, and in many places with was just a sort of patina that just washed off.

The engine and transmission seem to be in pretty good shape.  After blowing all the built up dirt off the tranny it looked better than I had hoped.  The engine, which I know to be pretty good from my cursory inspection of the heads, looked even better when washed, so I have every reason to be hopeful there.  I will pull it off to inspect the clutch but I don't plan to replace or even work on the engine much.

For now, I've finally reach a point that looks like the bottom.  Look at that shiny toy!

From here, the refurbishment begins.