Build ~ January 2003

New Years Day, and relatively clear of hangover. Continued work on cleaning the front brake callipers, including the small section to file away to make the banjo fit.

Thursday however brought the machine mart sale, so rushed home from work and then down to the shop. Bought an engine hoist (yes I know I haven't even bought an engine yet), and a few other bits and bops.

Had to work the weekend so other than continuing to refine the thoughts on my alternative handbrake solution have not done any work on the Dax.

This past week has just been way to cold to venture into the garage. The good news is that Dax have replaced the Tojerio rack they sent me with the Rush Quick-rack that I ordered. Also a parcel arrived from Europa including my brake discs, but most of the rest of the order was fouled up, so some more phone calls required.

Not much time in garage of late, only progress has been constant phone calls to Europa trying to get the items I ordered rather than those chosen at random in the stores.

Only build progress has been a few cosmetics, the quick-rack was scratched so this has received a few coats of paint to make it look better. I have also been reconditioning the front callipers (yes, still at it). Although the main parts are now painted.

First job was to fit the rack, just to get it out of the way really. Nice to have something fitted at the front of the car. In doing this I have figured out all the bolts in the pack marked steering, hence another table.

Item	For
2 x Half nuts	Lock nuts for track rod ends.
2 x 55mm long bolts, and nuts	Steering column mounts
4 x Large penny washers	Ditto
4 x 40mm long bolts, and nuts	Universal Joints
4 x 30mm long bolts, and nuts	Rack mounts

Loosely fitted brakes!!!....err only temporary.

The rear discs were loosely fitted, proper fitment will have to wait until I have the long wheel studs.

Next was the front calliper carriers, I have opted for the Dax upgrade to 278mm Cosworth 4x4 front discs. So I need to adjust the carriers to accommodate the larger disc, the new manual says, "this takes only a few minutes work with a file". Yeh right, more like hours. In the end I quit and tried again on Sunday, then cleaned them up and painted the now inevitable blue.

The new build manual has a few changes, one of which is the brake light switch is now at the rear, which is way more sensible. Tried to change over the unions but without drilling a fresh mounting hole it fouls the rear bulkhead so it is going to have to stay at the front.

During the trial fitting I had scuffed the front hubs so these got a fresh coat of paint, and seeing as I was in that mode so did the brake master cylinders. Then quit to watch the rally coverage on tv.

Another week without making it into the garage in the evenings. However, I have made some progress on deciding the engine specification. Hopefully will place the order soon.