my new sportrak - few questions

[pauldoubleyou]

hello this is my new sportrak which is in need of some welding. i have a few quetions if anyone can help..

im trying to get the petrol tank and bashplate off so i can weld the offside chassis, has anyone got any tips as the bolts are a rusted mess..

what are those 'wheel spacers' like? ive heard they could knacker your hubs but ive not confirmed this... anyone?

here is a picture of the sportrak..

[pauldoubleyou]

got the bashbuard off yesterday which was a nightmare, looks like every single bolt is rusted beyond repair.

had to drill the four bolts out which were needed to release it - nightmare considering i had to do it all on my drive with no ramps available!

next thing off is the petrol tank which should come out this weekend, will be drilling the 5 bolts out for this too by the looks of things, hopefully will be able to get some new holes drilled for the reinstall once its off and i can get in with a grinder.

someone has done a bodge job already as the original petrol pipes have rotted, the fuel pump is held on with cable ties

also the brakets which hold on the brake pipes are rotten and need replacing.. somehow...

pics to follow.

[Jim W]

Paul had the same problem with my sporty all the bolts were siezed and had to drill them out. If you get a nice set of offset wheels you wont need spacers.

[Paul McCleary]

Be careful not to loose the in line fuel filter when removing the fuel tank pipes. It is a little cone shaped plastic filter that sits in the end of the fuel pump inlet pipe. Sometimes they stick in the fuel pipe and get discarded if you renew the pipe.

Paul.

[pauldoubleyou]

great advice guys thanks, Jim - what did you do when it came to putting it all back together?

did you weld new nuts to the chassis (and/or tap new threads) or just use standard nuts and bolts and drill new holes?

[Jim W]

Sorry bit late getting back to you Paul' I drilled and rethreaded mine worked a treat.