Another Body Off
Discussion
Hi
Just lifted the body of my S2. It can be done on your own and in a single garage!
Many thanks to Chris (Barkychoc) without whose helpful advice I may not have got this far. (beer due at SCH09
) Technique involves using 5000kg ratchet straps in pairs hanging from garage rafters. It takes time and concentration but much easier than the body off I helped with last year which involved lots of people lifting,shoving and swearing.
MOT last year spotted a small hole in the front OS outrigger so I had planned this operation for 6 months. Many posts tell you to be aware of the horrors lurking underneath, suffice to say both front corners are completely shot and were completely invisible from underneath.
This picture taken after bashing with a hammer
Fortunately the rear end is excellent as are belt mounts (still with original coating on them.
I was going to weld it up myself but a local neighbour who is a mechanical fitter has become interested and will now assist.
Planned to be back on the road in March.
Off for a cup of tea now.
Gratuitous picture of SCH08 to keep the spirits up
Andy.
Just lifted the body of my S2. It can be done on your own and in a single garage!
Many thanks to Chris (Barkychoc) without whose helpful advice I may not have got this far. (beer due at SCH09
) Technique involves using 5000kg ratchet straps in pairs hanging from garage rafters. It takes time and concentration but much easier than the body off I helped with last year which involved lots of people lifting,shoving and swearing.MOT last year spotted a small hole in the front OS outrigger so I had planned this operation for 6 months. Many posts tell you to be aware of the horrors lurking underneath, suffice to say both front corners are completely shot and were completely invisible from underneath.
This picture taken after bashing with a hammer
Fortunately the rear end is excellent as are belt mounts (still with original coating on them.
I was going to weld it up myself but a local neighbour who is a mechanical fitter has become interested and will now assist.
Planned to be back on the road in March.
Off for a cup of tea now.
Gratuitous picture of SCH08 to keep the spirits up
Andy.
Looking good Andy, I can't take the credit for the straps idea that came from Ray S and it does work well.
If you plan to roll the car out of the garage it makes life easier of you fit the handbrake lever back on the chassis, just remember to remove it again before you put the body back on
Keep the photos coming, its always good to see some good work going on!
Also as per Andys comments above I'd say don't get too carried away with doing upgrades etc - many of which can be done over time with the body on. Otherwise your body off takes forever
Chris
If you plan to roll the car out of the garage it makes life easier of you fit the handbrake lever back on the chassis, just remember to remove it again before you put the body back on
Keep the photos coming, its always good to see some good work going on!
Also as per Andys comments above I'd say don't get too carried away with doing upgrades etc - many of which can be done over time with the body on. Otherwise your body off takes forever
Chris
Edited by Barkychoc on Saturday 3rd January 10:47
24Razor said:
Nice one Andy,
Looks like I've a similar job to undertake on my S3. Discoverred a hole while doing the annual paint & waxoil routine this winter. Unfortunately I don't think my garage roof rafters are up to supporting the body! Best of luck.
The body isn't massively heavy - I'd say if you and a mate could hang off a rafter without the roof collapsing then it would be strong enough!Looks like I've a similar job to undertake on my S3. Discoverred a hole while doing the annual paint & waxoil routine this winter. Unfortunately I don't think my garage roof rafters are up to supporting the body! Best of luck.
My garage rafters are essentially 4" x 2". I drilled 10mm holes 1" dowm from the top as close to the wall as possible (about a foot). I used a 1 ton capacity chain linked either side of the rafter by a 10mm bolt effectively making a shackle. Ratchet straps are then hooked to chains. This is repeated 4 times (one for each corner). I used 2 straps at the front and 2 at the back. Its then a case of tightening and releasing the straps alternatly while you lift or lower the body. I would estimate that the body wieighs less than 150 kilos per corner.
Andy
Andy
I was also worried about my garage rafters (mono pitched) being up to taking the weight so I looked at other PHers lifts in useful links/diary and used one of the methods detailed (just had a quick look and couldnt find it? Somebody may come on to claim that link). That is I raised the body on 2no bolted 4x2" bearers resting on concrete blocks each side of the chassis both front and back, then jack the front bearers insert blocks then do the same at the rear etc. until at the right height. It seems very stable and allows the chassis to roll in and out. Without the bonnet the body is well short of the garage length so I can work on the front or rear of the chassis still within the garage with the doors shut on these cold evenings. It is actually quite enjoyable doing the work myself, although i'm very slow and have needed lots of advice from PHers Barkychoc etc. Good luck.
No I will have another look later but it was blocks each side and timber cross bearers.
I think it was jls/tvrs2 link but this does not work anymore as a link (for me anyway) but I printed off the pic from his site and followed that. Sorry.
I think it was jls/tvrs2 link but this does not work anymore as a link (for me anyway) but I printed off the pic from his site and followed that. Sorry.
Edited by TonupS2 on Monday 5th January 18:21
Hi
The beauty of doing it this way is as Chris says you can do the dirty work outside. Spent the weekend with a wire brush on an angle grinder cleaning it up. Filthy job, but found no more horror stories yet. Will hopefully buy some steel this week / weekend and get stuck in. Replacing a lot of rusty bolts so that should repairs be needed in the future at least the bits will come off. So easy without the body!. Too cold tonight to do anything so will make a jobs to do list. Regards Andy
The beauty of doing it this way is as Chris says you can do the dirty work outside. Spent the weekend with a wire brush on an angle grinder cleaning it up. Filthy job, but found no more horror stories yet. Will hopefully buy some steel this week / weekend and get stuck in. Replacing a lot of rusty bolts so that should repairs be needed in the future at least the bits will come off. So easy without the body!. Too cold tonight to do anything so will make a jobs to do list. Regards Andy
I actually did work on mine with the chassis in the garage - I jacked the body up till it was touching the roof of the garage - I had to relocate one of the flourescent lights (and I had a tasteful blanket on top of the roof to protect it).
You actually have more room than you would think even in my chaotic disorganised garage, just be careful when you stand up, 6 foot 3 isn't always an advantage!
You actually have more room than you would think even in my chaotic disorganised garage, just be careful when you stand up, 6 foot 3 isn't always an advantage!
Edited by Barkychoc on Monday 5th January 19:39
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