Cut the VW bug front strut link from square tubing #201

I can now cut out the front VW bug strut link with my cut-off wheel. The video stops for some reason during the first cut, but I finally get it all cut out. I have to expand the tubing a bit on the ends so that the MR2 spherical strut mounts will fit. But a little bit more grinding and drilling and it should fit fine.

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Start to create the VW bug’s front strut link #200

With my MR2 front strut link template created, I can trace the profile to the steel tubing. The template is made from 1/4″ foam board and the link itself is 1.5″x1.5″ steel tubing. I will now cut the steel tubing a bit longer and slowly grind it down to fit.

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Realign front strut mounts with VW bug body off #199

Now that I have everything lined up and all my measurements, I need to construct the VW bug’s top strut link from 1.5″x1.5″ steel tubing. I slowly cut a 1×2 board down to the correct length and clamped it to the MR2 strut mounts off setting it a bit so I can place the foam template. The foam template will be 1.5″ wide and will fit the front profile of the link.

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Tie the VW bug strut mounts together with a board #198

Now that I have both of the front MR2 strut mounts finished, I put a small bend in the tabs to align them straight across. I then cut a board to fit across both mounts and clamped them to the tabs. With the foam template in place under the board it appears that everything is lining up OK. I will need to remove the VW bug body once more to continue with the lower support.

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Finish up the VW bug front strut mounts #197

I have finished building the front MR2 strut mounting brackets. I had to cut the mounting bolts down a bit for better clearance but I can now test fit them under the VW bug fenders before I build the strut link member.

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Weld on the mounting bolts to the VW bug strut mounts #196

I now have the grade 8 bolts welded through the MR2 spherical strut top mounts. I had to clean them up by grinding down the bolt heads a little so the bearing would slip neatly through. I will be cutting the bolts down once the entire assemblies are bolted together.

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Finish clean up on the VW spherical strut mounts #195

After some time with the bench grinder, I finished cleaning up the front VW bug/MR2 strut mount tops. I now have to fit them to the spherical bearing mounts. I plan on welding some grade 8 bolts through the holes and then put nuts on the other side. I have to design these so I can take them on and off in the future for maintance.

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Get the VW bug spherical bearing mounts started #194

I now have my spherical MR2 strut mounts in. I am starting to build the top structure to hold these bearings in place. I cut out 2 pieces of 3/16″ steel plate from the foam template I made. I now have to grind them down and make them look good and then through bolt them to the bearings.

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Reinstall the MR2 front knuckles & test steering #193

Now with the MR2 steering knuckle modifications complete, I can reinstall them. I have removed the wood boxes from around the tires so I can test the movement of the steering. With this initial fitting I have discovered that spherical bearing strut mounts will be required. I explain that pieces of wood are supporting the strut tops but they are actually thin pieces of sheet-metal. Anyway it looks as if everything is going in the right direction.

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Finish the MR2’s front steering knuckle modifications #192

I am now ready to finish the front MR2 steering knuckle modifications. I know I say I am adding a 1/8″ piece of steel tubing but it is actually 1/4″ thick. These half pieces of tubing will be used to prevent the reworked mounts from crushing due to the strut bolt. After everything is welded together I smoothed it off with some bondo and paint. They are now ready to be refit.

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