Getting it on again - the front arb

[gridgway]

Having sorted out the fuel leak, I now need to bolt the front protection plate on with the front arb and I have so far failed. There is just no way to get it all lined up to get the bolts into the captive nuts on the chassis. This is not helped by lying on my back under the car with the front raised as high as I can get it on axle stands. It still feels about 2" above me!

With the use of a ratchet strap, I can move the arb enough to get the hole in the arb bracket lined up when the cover plate is not involved. But the ratchet strap won't go on with the plate.

I've also tried lifting the hubs up on jacks to get the arb more in its working position, but that doesn't work. As as you are then taking the weight off the axle stands, that doesn't feel fun getting underneath the car and trying to tug it about!

To me this seems a very nasty piece of design, but what do I know?

Anyone even got half a clue what I am talking about? If so and you have any hints and tips, I'm all ears!

I think I can probably persuade it back together without the cover plate with the help of my trusty ratchet strap, then I can take it to a pro with a lift, but that does feel a bit like giving in!

Cheers
Graham

[Fuchs915]

Having sorted out the fuel leak, I now need to bolt the front protection plate on with the front arb and I have so far failed. There is just no way to get it all lined up to get the bolts into the captive nuts on the chassis. This is not helped by lying on my back under the car with the front raised as high as I can get it on axle stands. It still feels about 2" above me!

With the use of a ratchet strap, I can move the arb enough to get the hole in the arb bracket lined up when the cover plate is not involved. But the ratchet strap won't go on with the plate.

I've also tried lifting the hubs up on jacks to get the arb more in its working position, but that doesn't work. As as you are then taking the weight off the axle stands, that doesn't feel fun getting underneath the car and trying to tug it about!

To me this seems a very nasty piece of design, but what do I know?

Anyone even got half a clue what I am talking about? If so and you have any hints and tips, I'm all ears!

I think I can probably persuade it back together without the cover plate with the help of my trusty ratchet strap, then I can take it to a pro with a lift, but that does feel a bit like giving in!

Cheers
Graham

I used a ratchet strap, put one end in first then used the strap to allow me to get the other end in. A bit of fine tuning to even up alignment and job done. Not sure why you are trying to do the plate and arb all in one go, I don’t have a standard plate so maybe I am missing something but would think you can do them in turn.


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[gridgway]

Ah, hard to describe.

The arb is in the lower wishbones. The problem I have is the two rearward bolts that go through the plate, the arb bracket and the flat joining strap into the nuts in the chassis.

[jjeffries]

I too am having a hard time visualizing your approach to this. I don't see why the installation of the ARB and the scuff plate under the fuel pump need to be done simultaneously?

Separating the two tasks: when I reinstalled my front ARB (82 SC) I also raised both front control arms to horizontal in order to create the biggest distance between the two mounts, making it slightly less difficult to get it done by putting one end in its mount/bushing, then manipulating the other into its mount/bushing.

The scuff plate usually goes back on OK but I as I get the four fasteners started (two x nuts onto the studs on the brackets at either end of the steering rack cross member; then two x Allen car screws/bolts), I keep them finger tight until they're all on and the plate itself has a comfortable fit...then apply final torque.

I'm likely missing the point! Best of luck to you. John.

[gridgway]

Yes, I'm definitely not explaining well! The arb is in place with its ends in the bushes in the lower arms.

The problem I have is getting the two cap head bolts in that go through the plate, through the arb bracket, through that connecting strap and into the chassis.

Graham

[gridgway]

Came back to it afresh and with the use of a ratchet strap to position the arb I managed to get it back together. Hurrah. I knew all was well as I had powered up the fuel pump before putting it all back together.

Anyway, thought I better just check the engine ran ok which it did! However, the petrol fair old miffed out from above the plate again, so all back to square one! I had a bit of a stomp, I must say. However at least I have practised getting it apart and back together for the next attempt to fix it! I'm certain I did the pipe clips up...but maybe not

Graham

[Flat 6]

I must've got lucky when I reinstalled ARB and plate on my '78. All lined up very easily once the ARB was in the wishbones...