Astwood 4x4 Ltd www.astwood4x4.co.uk
01527 892377
A business that cares about your Landy and your needs. A company who understands what the Landy is all about.
Refurbishment & Restoration|Servicing & MOTs | Mechanical | Diagnostics SKYTAG Agent | Galvanized Chassis | Body Repair | Paint Shop Works
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Above Left: Using the crane, Nicky easily slots the 200Tdi into position, but do you think the gearbox would follow suit? Above Right: Nicky took the opportunity to scrub up the flywheel before fitting the new clutch and reinstalling the gearbox I needed to find some enthusiasm for the project again, though, because I was sick of it! Having said that I was now at a point where I could just go out and potter from time to time on smaller jobs, which works better for me. When I had a spare hour, I started popping a bracket in between the alternator and fuel pump bracket, making sure that I had all of the bits I needed. With that done in a few minutes, I set to popping the wiring back into place on the starter motor. Then last but not least for the day was swapping over the old type of fuel filter housing, for a 300Tdi one that will make it easier to change over and service as and when needed. I had a new clutch slave cylinder I’d bought simply because I was changing the clutch over and the old one looked tired. It was soon in place after a few frantic minutes of scrabbling around looking for the bolts, only to find the new branded part leaks. Nothing stopped the drip of clutch fluid until it ran dry. It could be the old
pipework or the new part. I’ll replace the pipe first, then strip the part out if a good seal cannot be made and swiftly return it. It was then on to popping the crossmember back into place. After removing it from under the truck, I gave it a good rub down, removing any rust build-up and greased the hell out of it. Do the same thing to the chassis it fits onto. Then it will be able to be gently knocked into place with no struggling, swearing or attempts to swing a large hammer whilst lying underneath it. I hopped back on-board one spare morning with spanners in hand to get the propshafts reattached. The front one just fell into place and was soon all tightened up. For the rear I dragged it all into place to offer it up, wondering why it was all of a sudden too spacey. I lay there on my back trying to figure out why the bolts met both ends – what was that space?
The penny dropped. I didn’t put the handbrake drum back into place first. That didn’t take long but doing the nuts and bolts up seemed to take an age. I ended up jacking up one side on the front and rear, so I could turn the propshaft to make access a little easier. After a shopping trip, the kitty had been drained, but I had enough parts to take me almost to the end of the build. An exhaust still needs to be modified and fitted along with the pipework for the coolant, but I will get to them in due course. I also need a pair of seats… When I refitted the rear propshaft I put the damned thing on the wrong way around. The morning was spent doing my favourite job of taking off then replacing the fiddly propshaft nuts. It took a while but now sits as it should! I then removed the pan hard rod on the front, treating the metal whilst it was exposed, then refitting the replacement one with the new bushes in. Spending an hour here or there, it seemed some progress was being Left: Once the gearbox had been wiggled into place, Nicky spent time placing a bracket in between the alternator and fuel pump bracket Below: The wiring was then returned to the starter motor... Below Left: ...Before the fuel filter housing was changed for a 300Tdi version for simplicity down the line
Astwood 4x4 Ltd LAND ROVER SPECIALISTS
We are a business that cares about your Landy and about the customers’ needs, a company who understands what the Landy is all about. We specialise in restoring, rebuilding Land Rover Defenders, galvanized chassis changes, engine upgrade and all types of mechanical & body work.
We export Land Rovers worldwide supplying not only refurbished but also used Land Rovers. Refurbishment/Restoration Specialist, Land Rover Servicing, MOTs, Mechanical, Diagnostics, SKYTAG Agent, Galvanized Chassis, Body Repair/Paint Shop Works Astwood Bank, Astwood Business Park, Astwood Lane, Redditch. B96 6HH Tel : +44(0)1527 892 377 Mobile : +44(0)7974075932 Email: astwood4x4@gmail.com www.facebook.com/Astwood4x4 www.twitter.com/Astwood4x4
www.astwood4x4.co.uk