The Frame - Part 1

With the engine and transmission complete it was time to move onto the frame. With the benefit of an overhead hoist in my shop I was able to pick the rear end up and spend around a month rebuilding it piece by piece, the two rear bearing boxes (new bearings, shims and seals), rear brakes, (cylinder, hoses, shoes, hardware pack) transmission linkage, mounts, rubber bumpers, shock absorbers and exposed frame. Considering it was a 69 there wasn't the amount of rust I expected, and the brake drums were in decent shape. With the help of a wire brush, Wire brush cones for a drill, sandblasting, degreasing,  and sandpaper I eventually got down to solid metal. Once clean and shiny, I began priming, undercoating and painting, getting it into shape.

Once the rear half was completed, back on the ground and then turning the frame around I began work on the front half. The front  wasn't quite as easy as the rear had been. The brake adjusters were broken (not froze, but completely broken), brake cylinders leaking, brake linings worn, wheel bearings and seals worn and leaking, the ball joints very worn, the tie rods, steering shock absorber, brake lines, anything that moved was worn and needed replacement. The front took a lot longer to go through than the back did.

Since the frame was a VW, parts were readily available for everything through Auto Zone, Cip1, Mid America Motorworks and J. C. Whitney.  More wire brushing degreasing, sandblasting, sanding and overall cleaning and back to priming, undercoating and painting.  

Around three and a half months after beginning the frame, lots of blood sweat and tears and the frame was finally complete. My Mini really couldn't go too far though,, no engine or transmission, not to mention, seats, steering wheel, or any of those other things around you when driving. That driving part was a long way off although it doesn't hurt to dream. The refurbished frame was soon re-united with the engine and transmission. All the chrome on the engine and fresh paint on the frame made for a nice look. There was still a lot of work to go before the car would make it back on the road, but this was a big step forward.