Banpei's new TA60 family cruiser

[banpei]

Worked on the Carina as well to do the finishing touches before MOT on Friday.

Did today:
- Checked tire pressures (all too low)
- Checked all light bulbs
- Checked functioning of the brakes
- Cleaned all windows and found out I need new wipers

I also tried to remove the shock absorbers once again. According to the workshop manual you need to use a screwdriver to hold them in place:


But no cigar:

Last week I already drenched them in penetrating oil and did it once more today. I'll try again next time. Worst case I have to cut the rubber bushes off with a hacksaw (I don't have power in my garage) and then hold it with a set of pliers.

The reason why I'm so eager to get them off is because this is what my 40 year old springs look like:

And I can't remove those without removing the shocks first as the shocks have been extended fully and undoing the bottom bolt only doesn't allow me to detach it from the axle...

And the whole shocks, links and axle don't look much better either:

So after MOT it will be time to remove all the crud, use some rust reverser and then paint it black again.

I already ordered new bushings for the links and a set of rubber insulators for the springs as those are shot as well. The bottom insulator I ordered isn't the Carina part number as that's made out of unobtainium. So I ordered an AE86 insulator instead as it looks close enough. It will probably require a bit of fettling before it will fit and in worst case I have to find another alternative and sell the AE86 ones here on the forums.