vauxhallviva.com

Hello Everyone,

My name is Alfonso and i am currently restoring a 1980 Panther Lima, based on the viva/magnum floorpan and drive train. I am located out in Houston, Tx. USA so im a long ways from where most of guys are located.

So i wanted to start a project thread so that i can document my progress and get any help or tips i can get from you guys as i work along. I have a Youtube channel (19charger74) where i have been making videos of the progress. I hope to be posting more videos soon so stay tuned and follow me on my journey half around the world.


here is the latest video i did where i have already removed the body from the car and im not starting to dissassemble the front suspension.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShQ7MpXtkV8

any pics off it before ?

carmad wrote:any pics off it before ?

yes i found a few last night i will post pictures of it later tonight.


Update Video .. Last night i removed the shocks and Rack & pinion. The plan is to remove the subframe with everything connected to it to wash and degrease and store it away altogether assembled for when i get to it later. one thing i am not sure about is the 2 upper bolts of the subframe. are these bolts apart of the top bushing as one piece, or is it just a standard bolt i can cutoff and replace later, because i can turn the nut but the bolt also turns with it. I am not sure if i need to apply pressure to the suspension so that it doesnt turn? If anyone knows please let me know.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YsSh4OxRF8

so i thought i would upload some before pictures

in between progress

body removed

Ooooo, an El Camino

Do you mean the single bolt that goes up through the chassis rail on each side?

viva les vegas wrote:Ooooo, an El Camino

Do you mean the single bolt that goes up through the chassis rail on each side?

ahhh yes my El Camino is the other project im trying to work on at the same time but the Lima is being greedy. Yes the single bolt that goes up on each rail which it looks like it connects to the top bushing.

i tried removing the top nut (upper arrow) but the bolt turns with it, so i removed the shock thinking i would need to grab the head of the bolt from the underside but i dont see the head of a bolt so i was wondering if the bolt is molded into the bushing? or should i remove the bolt that holds the bushing itself (lower arrow)? to disconnect the subframe from the chassis?

so we continue with the disassembly of the Lima. I removed the exhaust system, the steering wheel and shafts. i power washed off all of the dirt, grease and grime off of the shafts and rack and pinion so that i can store them away. now all that is left is to remove 4 bolts to drop the subframe and the bolts on the transmission crossmember and we can get onto repairing the frame.

Here is the latest vid of the updates.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilQfC2R7Z-M

Alfonso

The other end of that bolt is embedded in the large rubber bush that sits in the top of the subframe. To get the subframe off you could remove the lower bolt in your photo - you might get some more access to the other one then. You might get it undone by cutting a slot in the top end of the bolt and sticking a screwdriver in it, then turn the nut with a ring spanner.

Thanks for the tip Droopsnoot. i will try cutting the slot first to use a screw driver if not i will remove the bottom bolts. Hopefully i can have the subframe out this weekend.