December 2006

Well, I finally got to paint the front section. I started by carefully scuffing the primered paint with 3M gray scotch-brite pad, then wiping down with cleaner, finally using a tack cloth to pick up any loose fibers.

Reference shot.

Reference shot.

Reference shot.

Reference shot.

This shows the results of the work I did on this section. See the 03/05/2006 section for what it looked like originally.

Reference shot.

Reference shot.

I installed the headlight mounting. I didn't photo-document the steps, but this is what it looks like completed. This is the motor mounted.

This shows the headlight rod mounted to the inside of the headlight bucket.

This shows the mounting on the outside of the headlight bucket.

Reference shot.

These allen bolts hold the motor in place.

Reference shot.

This shows the headlight eyebrow installed.

The eyebrow is held in place by 3 rubber grommets, 2 on the wide section, accessed from inside the front trunk.

This is the other grommet, accessed from inside the headlight bucket area, protuding into the front fender.

Next, I installed the headlight cover. This is held on by 2 screws at the back. It's also held on by 3 other screws, but they will be put on later.

This shows how the cover fits with the headlight in the up position. At this point I adjusted the headlight. After adjusting, make certain that you finish installing the rubber piece that covers the motor's arm and allen bolts.

Next, I installed the headlight and the chrome trim ring. It's held on by 3 extremely small screws.

Next, I installed the headlight shroud. These are the other 3 screws that help hold the cover on.

Finally, I installed the black plastic cover over the rubber piece.

I started the installation of the steering by putting this rubber bearing.

This shows the other rubber bearing, the retaining bracket and the allen-head bolts. The rubber bearing slips inside the previous bearing, then the bracket is used to hold both in place.

The parts installed.

Next, the steering bellows is installed. It fits on the outside of the rubber bearing.

Finally, from underneath, the steering shaft is pushed through the bellows and rubber bearings, then into the passenger compartment.

The steering shaft fits into the u-joint in the passenger compartment, beneath the dash. Note that the shaft has a flat section that needs to be aligned with the bolt hole on the u-joint.

This shows the rubber bumper that are placed on top of the shock absorber shaft.

The shock absorber cover over the rubber bumper.

Before I installed the front suspension, I installed the front sway bar. This is the new rubber bushings.

I needed to cut the bushing to push over the square section. This shows the bushing installed.

After putting the bushing on one side, you need to then put the sway bar through both holes in the body.

This shows the sway bar installed.

On the other side, the bushing will need to be installed. I used a screwdriver to open the bushing, at the cut, then carefully pounded it on using a small hammer. This shows the retaining plated installed.

Next, I installed the sway bar stabilizer lever.

Here's a shot of the front suspension.

After placing the front suspension in place with several bolts, I put the lower ball joint, from the steering, in place. I used this floor jack to push the shock absorber up to be able to install the pressure plates in the front trunk.

Next, I finished installing the front sway bar drop link.

This shows the front suspension installed. Don't forget to install the (2) bolts that hold the steering to the front axle stabilier.