Well
I just received another Modelworks shipment, but not what I
was hoping for. Templates in order to correct an over looked
machining step in the production of the rear axle for the mounting
of the rear calipers. Since I have my chassis and rear axle
completed and powder coated I was not pleased with this sudden
announcement. I went back to the Kit 1 pictures and it shows
a squared off caliper bracket, so there was really wasn't any
way the kit builder could predict this problem. Well with aggravation
behind me and apology accepted, Brad you're an honest man, let's
move on with how to approach this problem.
If you haven't assembled your rear axle yet, you can take it
to your local body shop and have them cut out the plate with
a plasma cutter, neat, clean and quick. My axle is completed
and powder coated. I can't use heat to cut the plate or I'll
ruin my powder coating, so I must resort to manual labor.
I first dismantled the rear wheels keys and bearings, now you
see why I did not Loktite the keys - future servicing. I then
bolted the templates into place, since my frame is finished;
I taped and covered everything to prevent accidentally nicking
the finish and to keep metal filing out of the rear and off
the finish so as not to scratch it. I used an electric reciprocating
saw with a bi-metal blade 24 t, I cut a vee as close to the
template as I could and then a horizontal cut to remove the
pieces, 3 chunks came off this way. Then I used a 4" disc
grinder to form the radius and even up the coarse cuts, then
used a half round file to feather the edges and smooth out the
metal. Keep your shop vacuum close at hand because the grinder
creates a lot of filings, vacuum often.
After removing all the tape I sanded the powder coat edges to
help feather in, I painted mine gloss black to match the powder
coating. This area will not really be seen as the brake caliper
will cover it.
Once I got to work it really wasn't as hard as I originally
thought. Start to finish took me 3 hours. Check the pictures;
I'm pleased with the results.
Now that I finished the Modification, I think Model works was
feeling guilty because the last 2 kits were too easy and they
wanted to give us something to do.
Happy building.
Rick
Likamobile
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