Mk3 convertible revisit after 12 years in a garage

[manifold]

##### Heads up I dont go on facebook at all and dont even have an account there any more - due to work related reasons and privacy concerns so here is where I will posting stuff #####

Hi all.

After a hiatus of at least 12 years (might be more). I am looking to get one of my two midas gold cars back on the road. In this case the white convertible. Some of you may know I had a bit of a thing for titanium stuff. In the main this was great and the results were good - but one of the less successful stories was dealing with rose jointed rear radius arms. Basically they had a tendency to snap on the outer adjustment thread (shear off) which wasnt at all pleasant. As a result my coupe got a bit of a ding. Nothing major, but annoying no the less.

At the time I was looking to sort the beam axle snapping problem out by drilling out and upping the diameter of the rose joint threads and sourcing some high quality ones with rolled threads, the car had its bum in the air, with the arms off and sat on axles stands with a view to working on it - but then time and life got in the way. The years passed. My girls went to school, then University, my job got more intensive, I found other projects like boating, the usual things life chucks to us along our way. ....

Anyway, I was sitting down a couple of weeks back with nothing to do for the first time in a long time and I had a look at the convertible. I then realised it had been 12 years since I last looked at it and decided to get it back on the road. At least as a play thing in summer and before the health and safety guys say we cant do it any more (reference the DVLA fireside chat thats out for discussion at the moment about classic cars). This time though with a mostly bog standard rear suspension setup with coilovers and maybe simplify a few things. Do I really need a heater? Maybe not although I have a spare heater matrix sat on the shelf along with boxes and boxes of things I accuulated over the years thanks to Ebay.

Fun fact. Have you seen how little new cars have a convertible option. It seems to be a dying breed. SUVs and crossovers are the thing of the day. The big car manufacturers seem to be avoiding making a convertible option.

I am looking to source a couple of subframes, one for each car (as my other car, the coupe needs looking at too if I am allowed to EV it (But thats another project for another time.... and one I had on the back burner since early 2000's in the back of my mind)). A couple of sets of radius arms and some coilover brackets. Alan D is going to see if he can help me on that front. Fingers double crossed.

Ironically, back in the day, I did have 2 spare subframes and 2 sets of spare brand new sets of arms and even extended stub axles but I sold them all on once I got the ti beam axles made. A bit of an error that, selling them on..., for buttons. Hey ho. At least some of our community benefitted from them.

So next question I now have is I wonder how many other things I need to do now, replacing stuff after all this time to get me rolling on the road again....

Battery - definitely.
Wheels and tyres (perished) - definitely.
God knows whats on with the DCOEs on the 7 port. Probably need a full rebuild I suspect.
Hydraulic fluid for twin cylinder brakes (I have a brake bias system).
Fuel lines and tank - probably.
Wiper blades - definitely
Etc etc to be determined.

The paintwork is a bit tatty and battle scarred after the car being used as a step ladder in the garage for 12 years. My daughters and I have found the front of the car is super strong to step on when reaching up onto high shelves in the garage - But comes with a cost problem of scratches. I looked on in shock and horror in the early days when I saw a new scratch...but after the first one it got easier. One might call it patina or character. Should I spray it or leave it.. Sometime a scruffy car has its own character. Even better when I know it wont, in the main, rust away.

Will be interesting to find out how we get on this journey. Will be nice to hear the whirring of the straight cut gears and snorting and spitting carbs. Lets see!

In the mean time I probably should get Johnny from Late Brake Barn Find to give it a wash lol.

Wish me well.

##### Heads up I dont go on facebook at all and dont even have an account there any more - due to work related reasons and privacy concerns so here is where I will posting stuff > Ironic really as I also created the popular Midas Car Facebook Page too but if you realised how they harvest your data I would think twice.... #####

[Victorc]

Hi David,
My Mk 3 convertable has sat for a couple of years now, I had a problem with the brakes, and then to clutch pedal would not move. And then life gets in the way, so I understand how thinks can sit for a long time.
I bought one of your rear subframes, and never got it fitted, I don't remember if I had a problem with the existing one, but since I have not fitted your one, it must not have been too bad.
I will have a look (if the rain ever stops), if it is OK, I can return your one, I think you had already cut of some bits to make it suitable for the Midas.
Regards
Victor

[manifold]

Hi Victor, Great to hear from you! Long time no see.

Yes it definitely is funny how life gets in the way . I cant believe where all that time has gone! I now feel the urge to get the car back on the road before I expire.

If you still have that subframe knocking about that would be great Victor. It would allow me to get my car back on the road a bit quicker for sure. I remember buying two and then for some reason selling them on. Which I regret now of course . . I think you got one of them. Both had the bits cut off to suit the Midas.

I will send you an email..

All the best,

David

[manifold]

Ah. I wasnt able to send you an email Victor. Im guessing the one you had on here must have stopped being used.

Look forward to hearing from you.

David

telephone: 07947800313

[Hans Efde]

Welcome back David. Too bad you are not on FB anymore but I understand. Good luck with the rebuild.

[manifold]

Thanks Hans. I had a few issues with meta and privacy concerns unfortunately. As a result I nuked my account I had there on Facebook. I will be posting my resurrection journey on here though.

I have a few little plans on the shelf. Some quick wins and some a bit longer term.....

[Victorc]

Hi David,
My email is victorcraig@gmx.co.uk

Victor

[manifold]

Hi David,
My email is victorcraig@gmx.co.uk

Victor

Thanks Victor!

[manifold]

currently doing an Ebay splurge on various ball joints and cv boots kits and radius arm kits. Seems that 12 years even in a garage hasnt done kindly to all the rubber stuff which has started to split and perish. heyho. On the plus side I managed to obtain a pair of brand new (NOS) door latch kits for driver and passenger side. (metro)

[manifold]

while sourcing bits for a rear subframe assembly I looked at the various types of ever decreasing number of radius arms. Seems that there is a slight subtle difference between the years.

1. Mk1 Metro has solid radius arms and a UNF castle wheel nut on stub axle

2. Mk2 Metros had a hollow radius arm but used same/similar radius arm bushes as Mk1 metros and a UNF castle wheel nut on stub axle





3. Mk3 and possibly Mk4 Metros had a hollow radius arm, slightly sharper casting, slightly different knuckle joint for hydrogas unit and slotted locktab arrangement for the wheel nut (maybe a metric thread too). The radius arm bush arrangement is different. The washers on the end and the thread on the shaft is also different. The diameter of the thrust washer casting shoulder on the radius arms are also different so bear this in mind when fitting the flat rubber rings (dust excluder seal) to hold the grease in.





Different kind of thrust washer/dust extractor seals