Metal Chips and Greasy Bits!

I'm nearing the end of phase one, the removal of all that's in the way.  This process got a bit longer than expected when I learned that the gas tank had to go.  That also means the fuel pump has to go.  Both will be replaced in the trunk by a fuel cell and aftermarket fuel pump.  Those are some time worn fittings!

 Here, you can see the fittings nicely capped for safekeeping while the fabrication goes on.  That is the last battery box in the foreground.  It is soon to be removed via air powered reciprocating hack saw.  This is where the metal chips come into play.  It also liberates greasy bits, as an MG is usually shedding some type of fluid.  This fluid gets flung off the driveshaft and up against the underbody.  If someone is fool enough to then attack it with a hack saw, greasy bits fly into every crevice and hair on your head!  By the way, the gas tank can't be seen in the background because I removed it!  Also, the fuel pump would have been in the hole in the foreground.

Above are some views of the S2000 suspension coming apart.  This was pretty entertaining.  Most of the nuts and bolts were not rusty and came loose with reasonable effort.  Until I got to the axle hub bolt, seen below.  I happened to have the unusual 36mm socket to fit it, so I thought I would just add a pipe to extend my moment arm ("Give me a place to stand and a long enough lever, and I will move the world"  said someone famous who I can't remember.) and pop it loose.  Ho Ho Ho.

My mightiest might was nowhere close, so I checked the source of all knowledge...internet forums.  This nut has a clear history.  It is factory torqued to 200 ft lbs, up from the original 180, since it came loose too often!  But that's not all!  Having reached this massive value (which makes my humble torque wrench blush with embarrassment) one then rotates the nut another 60 degrees!  The forums showed several examples of broken 1/2" drive wrenches from the attempt so I bought the 3/4" drive breaker bar and socket shown below. 

This worked OK on nut #1.  For nut B, however, the whole cradle kept rotating.  Finally, I hauled the whole thing out into the driveway and wedged it under my car with 2x4's.  Then, with my full weight and strength applied, it popped loose.  I have no idea how I'm going to get it re-torqued but that will be a story for another post.

 Below, you can see the cradle with everything but the arms removed.  This ready to have the center section cut out and each half fitted under BB.  It's happening!

Happy motoring and always have #funwithcars!