I'm on a tiny budget so am I to expect little?

[jagxjs1992]

that's not too bad is that all it failed on at the pre mot ?

It "passed" per se; this just got missed out. It's pretty bad because the only way to fix it is to drop the front subframe and replace it with a new one (£500!!). This is asking a lot of an idiot on a driveway on a budget with non existent tools (like the Jag spring compressor)

 

[the snooper]

It "passed" per se; this just got missed out. It's pretty bad because the only way to fix it is to drop the front subframe and replace it with a new one (£500!!). This is asking a lot of an idiot on a driveway on a budget with non existent tools (like the Jag spring compressor)

don't give up before you have started, Rome wasn't built in a day, try to source a good second hand sub frame, then worry about the springs, its not the end of the world

 

[Migmac]

there has got to be a jag breaker in the Uk who could supply a good secondhand part.

 

[jagxjs1992]

Well the guy who I took it to didn't want to an MOT because he was unsure to the safety of the car and that's fair enough. Most people straight up refused to do an MOT because the breaks are non existent. That was what I originally wanted. But hey ... I got the pre-MOT for free, so ... err. ... makes it a bit better?

I've been looking on eBay for the front cross members and they seem to vary widely in price which I find suspicious really.

It turns out that it isn't super difficult to fix (not 10/10 anyway) so I'll keep the car. I just love it too much.

 

[Cobbler]

Don't get too despondent about what you find, when I was 16 I was given a 1935 Morrris 8. I worked on it for months getting it ready to drive when 17. Sorted all the mechanicals, then looked underneath one day & found a rotten section in the chassis. I thought that's it I've wasted everything & scrapped it. Looking back it would have been dead simple to fix, the chassis was made from C section steel & I could have got a section pressed up to fit inside & repaired it. Look at it in the way if someone makes it it can be mended & think positive.

 

[roofman]

you,ve only had it 5 mins and you mention ending before you have started...ime now sending you a cyber clip behind the earhole for even posting such things Take your time and enjoy the journey, dont become obsesed,remember while its parked up its costing nothing to feed and its value is going up iff you do it right so all monies spent will be paid back as xjs prices are going up in a big way.Find a way of earning money and buy some decent tools, a project like this should take a year or more and thats just to put it back in good fettle

 

[rosinante]

Lifting the car shouldn't be an issue, beg borrow or steal scaffold boards or other big flat chunks of timber lift car with wheels on as far as you can place stacked timber under wheels ensuring plenty of area drop jack put more timber of suitable size under jack , repeat until high enough, just make sure it is all secure, a bit of distance from the project doing something you enjoy for a while will help you gain a perspective , it is only nuts and bolts, etc, as roof man says it is an appreciating asset, help will come if you are prepared to help yourself.
Is there a jag owners club you can join?
Do not give up!!!,
Car boots, gumtree free ads for job lots of tools, I bet there are hundreds of spring compressors lurking unused in diyers garages, some of my best tools have been had for pence in this way, how many youngsters get their hands dirty these days, unless they drop their iPhone that is, skills learnt will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life,
DO IT
Chris

 

[addjunkie]

I agree with the advice above, dont give up...this is actually an opportunity. If the car beats you it still has value. You could break the car and sell the bits on ebay. Either way your still learning.

 

[jagxjs1992]

Okay I've been thinking about it. I'll keep the car. I hear it won't suddenly collapse and that other people have needed to do the same exact thing.

Hi Seb,

That sub frame needs changing. I bought one from a breakers for £150, sold as was seen, with most of the suspension components on. It was in a filthy state so I degreased it, cleaned it up with a wire brush, and replaced the rubber bushes and wishbone bearings.

My old sub frame was in a state similar to yours. I left as long as I dared as the car was my daily driver at the time. I live in a first floor maisonette with no garage and no shelter to work under just an allocated parking space outside. I had no experience of this job, and didn't know anybody who did, but was determined to do it myself and keeps costs down. I'd heard horror stories of costs escalating as one job led to another.

The actual swapping of the sub frames really wasn't too difficult. The car needs to be jacked up nice and high - about four feet though for enough clearance. I also had to hire a spring compressor tool from JEC to swap the main compressor springs over. My originals were ok to re-use after I wire brushed and hammerite-ed them.

Mentally it was a major job because I didn't want to do it and I didn't have the facilities. Once I'd done it was very satisfying and because I could get my head round it, it didn't seem anything like the major job I had envisaged it to be. I reckon I did it for about £500 all told. This was eight years ago and the car is still running on it ok today.

Do it in stages. Take your time. Don't be put off. It is a great job to do to get you into restoration. Like you I am also trying to teach myself MIG welding. I bought a welder two years ago but keep putting off practising.

Go for it if you can. Oh and mine's a '91 4.0L facelift.

Amazing, 'eh?
Anyway I'll keep at it and report back. Thank you guys.

 

[mpats]

Good lad, don't give up, might add a bit of time but you're not on the clock and you don't have a deadline.

If you're still working on building up the cheap tools https://www.aldi.co.uk/specialbuys/all-specialbuys/diy/c/diy/?q=:popular&page=3 Angle grinder for 20 quid plus cheap cutting and grinding disks etc. if you can get there. Plus plenty other cheap tools for you to get going with.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

^^ Or an alternative for those on a tight budget http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/guild-pga115gl-750w-angle-grinder-464502

 

[mpats]

^^ Or an alternative for those on a tight budget http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/guild-pga115gl-750w-angle-grinder-464502

Very true, only thing I would say is that the Aldi one is only £7 more expensive but is 1200 watt instead of 750 watt and has replaceable brushes. I have one as my second angle grinder and it's put up with some good abuse cutting stone and steel, but the guild one will probably pretty similar (I guess for the price they'll almost be identical except for the motor). Handy to have a wire cup brush on too, saves faffing about changing things out on the makita. Going to pick up another one tomorrow Don't tell the misses!

 

[jagxjs1992]

Not to be funny but what would I lose by not buying a more expensive angle grinder?

 

[Lufbramatt]

I've got a cheap Halfords branded grinder and my Dad has a blue Bosch one that cost twice as much. The Bosch one is quieter, lighter and smoother and will probably outlast the Halfords one, but my Halfords one has lasted 7+ years with no issues so I think I've got my monies worth. It cuts and grinds just as well if you stick the same discs on it as the Bosch one. The lighter weight is good when you're lying on your back grinding stuff above you... but I'd be perfectly happy buying another cheapy one.

 

[mpats]

Not to be funny but what would I lose by not buying a more expensive angle grinder?

For now, nothing at all. The Aldi one has a 3 year warranty, the homebase guild one is 2 years. In the future you might be enjoying welding as a hobby and have the money to splash out on a makita which may be nicer to use. But for now a cheap one will be fine for what you need.

 

[Freddy0309]

Personally I only use cheap grinders, the father in law ah as a makita one and although it's nice I don't think it's worth the price tag, and as pdg says, if you break em/drop em it's meh I'll go get another

 

[the snooper]

Personally I only use cheap grinders, the father in law ah as a makita one and although it's nice I don't think it's worth the price tag, and as pdg says, if you break em/drop em it's meh I'll go get another

I've had cheap grinders given and used them but they don't last, I'm sure the commutator segments are put on with hot melt glue and as soon as they get wish they fly off and it's game over, I prefare to spend more and know they won't give up suddenly half way through a job

 

[the snooper]

Being 'worth' the price is down to you. I think my dewalt was worth every penny when I have a lot to do but my opinion would probably be different if I was just bashing on a car occasionally.

It was 8 times the price of the cheapies, and sometimes it's definitely 8 times better - it's worked hard on and off for the last 12 years and I honestly don't see the cheapies doing that even though the first thing I did was strip and 'service' them - there are definite failure points too...

Here, have some crappy videos

B&Q = burnt out and quickly

 

[Freddy0309]

My two which are are around 30 I've had for a few years and had no trouble so far

 

[the snooper]

My two which are are around 30 I've had for a few years and had no trouble so far

I had mine given so could have already been abused