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Post by samuelt on Aug 4, 2011 21:23:03 GMT
I am nearly ready to lift the body off my mx5, in the build guide Stuart advises to lift the body using 2 of the seat bolt holes. How best is it to connect your crain to these holes?
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Post by Kevin Patrick on Aug 4, 2011 23:30:10 GMT
I used my engine crane with a chain and screwed in one of the chain links using the original seat belt mounting bolt. I did that on each side of the tunnel. Sorry, but I do not have a photo.
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Post by samuelt on Aug 5, 2011 6:50:22 GMT
Thanks kevin, i was trying to work it out with strops and shackles. I will try to borrow some chain and do it your way.
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Andy888
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Exocet Builder
Posts: 212
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Post by Andy888 on Aug 5, 2011 18:05:37 GMT
Don't wrap anything round the scuttle, it will pull up and cut right through it. Also remove the fuel tank and doors if you can as it will lift in a more level way. Ours lifted tail down and then we ran out of vertical height on the crane!! Many hours of arising about ensued.
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Post by samuelt on Aug 5, 2011 18:56:30 GMT
Andy, I have removed nearly everything from the body now including all of the rubber gromets! But not the fuel tank. how do you remove it before lifting the body?
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Post by samuelt on Aug 5, 2011 19:09:04 GMT
just read the workshop manual on how to do it, you nearly have to take the whole car to pieces;- remove PPF, remove rear subframe .... are you thinking of an easier way? the tank is empty so should not be to heavy.
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Andy888
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Post by Andy888 on Aug 5, 2011 20:34:36 GMT
If you can get underneath I think u can unbolt the tank and fuel pipes so it stays on the ground. If u have the doors off though, u should be fine.
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Post by samuelt on Aug 5, 2011 22:42:07 GMT
I see what you mean, the tank is not actually being removed but more being left behind when the body is being lifted off.
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Post by samuelt on Aug 7, 2011 18:17:48 GMT
hi Andy, i have had a look at removing just the tank, am i correct in saying there are only 4 bolts under the car holding the tank in place?
Also, i have worked out that the engine lift brackets work with the seat bolts giving me 2 hooks to lift from. I am not though sure if they are strong enough as the engine and Gearbox is probably about 80-90 kg and the body is about 250kg. Has anyone done it this way do they look strong enough?
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Post by tlight on Aug 7, 2011 20:03:22 GMT
The engine brackets should be good for a round 250Kg between the 2 of them. My advice, lift with engine lifter & don't place any part of your body between the "load" and planet earth. Tim
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Post by Stiggy on Aug 7, 2011 20:13:16 GMT
hi Andy, i have had a look at removing just the tank, am i correct in saying there are only 4 bolts under the car holding the tank in place? Also, i have worked out that the engine lift brackets work with the seat bolts giving me 2 hooks to lift from. I am not though sure if they are strong enough as the engine and Gearbox is probably about 80-90 kg and the body is about 250kg. Has anyone done it this way do they look strong enough? Please be carefull and read the build guide. 1. You will see that the engine and box is not being lifted. You are only lifting the body which is around 250kgs. 2. Use the front seat mount hole on one side and the rear seat mount on the other as the lift points. 3. It is easier to remove the tank by rolling the body on to it's side after you have the body off. 4. If you close the fuel (use a jump wire) pump relay you can empty the tank the disconnected feed pipe. The body will then be almost perfectly balanced for lifting. 5. Not a good idea to trust lifting gear, use a chain and as Tim said, don't get under it.
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Post by samuelt on Aug 7, 2011 21:58:51 GMT
hi guys thanks for the advice,
Stuart, I have read the guide many times and ticked off every step so far from the list that i have completed. I understand that the engine stays in place and have even cut steel bars to support the suspension when the body is removed. When I mentioned the two brackets, i was meaning that i have removed them from the engine and found that they bolt nicely to the two suggested seat mount holes, to give me that perfect balance. I am though unsure as to there suitablilty my understanding is that Tim belives them to be ok. My Chain crain lifts items very slowly only a couple of mm at a time, this will give us a chance to monitor the two brackets during the lift.
I agree Tim/Stuart there is no change i am putting myself between the lifte body and the ground, I am taking this very seriously as i will not only have myself to look after during the lift but also my friends who are willing to help. i wan to make sure that this goes as planed and as safely as possible.
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Post by samuelt on Aug 19, 2011 6:16:20 GMT
Well I managed to remove the body from the chassis yesterday, i used the engine lift brackets bolted to the holes suggested by Stuart, then put a 25t ratchet strap across the them looping in a shackle. I then connected the shackle to the chain crane that is stropped to the H beam in my garage. (lots of bits left from my 0ff-roading days) With the help of 4 mates we raised the body, tilted it (lowering the front) and pulled the chassis out from under it. Using the Ratchet strap helped as when tightened it pulled the shackle over letting me balance the car better. I now need to get rid of the Body, if i take it to a metal recylclers and not a salvage yard, how do i deal with the V5C so that i can still use the registration?
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Post by sspogman on Aug 20, 2011 11:05:33 GMT
When I removed the body my mate and I grabbed one end each and simply lifted it off of the subframes then dumped it on the floor beside the rolling chassis - mind you, it was helluva heavy!
Don't do anything with your V5, you will need it when you come to getting the car VOSA / DVLA checked. Based on what happened to Alex, you won't be able to re-use the same reg, but the DVLA will issue you with a new age-related plate instead i.e. if your donor is a p-plate your new reg will also be a p-plate.
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Andy888
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Post by Andy888 on Aug 20, 2011 19:49:36 GMT
Glad you got the body off ok. I cut the vin plate out of the bulkhead of the mx5, just in case, and then scrapped the body.
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