Chassis and transmission
The chassis was stripped, a bend cross member replaced with new, the entire chassis shot blasted & zinc dipped locally by specialists Abtec. Hand painted with Hammerite - undercoat and two gloss coats - the chassis is protected better than when new!
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| New floor pan, sits on wax-oil impregnated felt over chassis rails | New springs, running boards, rear cross member |
Wheels
The wheels were beautifully re-built by James Wealden - original "Austin scoll" centres were rebuilt with new rims and spokes and fitted with new Avon tyres and tubes.
Rear axle
The original crown wheel had lost some teeth so the rear axle was re-built using a matching crown wheel & pinion and banjo from a later axle and using modern lip oil seals.
Gearbox
The original 3 speed gearbox was working perfectly and left undisturbed! The desirable slightly earlier "gate change" was refurbished to reduce play.
Brakes
Never a strong point on Austin Sevens, the 1930 Chummy was fortunate to have unlinked front and rear brakes. The handbrake operates the front brakes whilst and the footbrake operates the rear brakes. This system works well when properly maintained.
The bushes, cams, linkages and cables have all been replaced with new. The re-lined shoes have now bedded in and perform well.
Steering
The steering box was re-furbished, the gears lapped to remove play and seal renewed. Steering ball joints were all replaced and the geometry checked (toe-in adjusted). The original steering wheel was retained, advance /retard and hand throttle levers re-chromed and quadrant replaced.
Suspension
The original front spring was re-set, new rear springs made by Ian Dunford and all bushes and shackles replaced. Front axle axle eyes were refurbished with new King pins. Shock absorbers were re-furbished with new bushes, friction disks springs and clamp pins. Rubber link bushes all replaced. The front radius arms were refurbished with new pivot joint.
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| New spring shackles, king pins, steering joints, brake bushes |