Started this week by finishing off the welds for the new N/S front brake backplate, then removed the N/S front brake servo motor to provide access for clamping and welding the new backplate and so that it can be reconditioned. I also ground a bit off the end of the beading below the windscreen, to allow the radiator shroud to sit flush with the dash panel. Tacked the upper half of the new backplate to what remained of the original one and then checked the drum fitted within its arc. After a slight adjustment, I welded it in place then made a template for the lower half, after removing the rest of the rotted remains of the original backplate. I then shaped the new lower half to fit around the stub axle carrier and tacked it to the new upper half.
19/4/2026
Started the week by punching a hole in the top half of the replacement front brake back plate/dust shield, then welded the rim onto it. Punched the lower half, then started to weld the rim but ran out of welding wire at the end of the day so completed this the following day. Change of tack as I had another pair of hands with me, we reinstalled the radiator and sited it correctly so the decorative shroud sits against the dash. I then just about finished grinding back the welds on the new N/S front bake back plate.
12/4/2026
Started the week by finishing off the fitting of the rear brake rods and adjusting them. I now have a working handbrake! Next job was was to prepare the area for refitting the radiator when Colin comes next week. I noted one nut and bolt was missing, so need to measure and order a replacement. Next, I removed the N/S front brake drum and and the brake shoes, ready for repairing the dust shield, which is in a poor state. Noted the linings were not really badly worn, but as I have two sets of new linings I felt I might as well get them done while they were off. The next job was to remove a previous poor repair from the N/S front brake dust shield and remove the worst of the original material. With the previous repair removed I was able to use it to mark out a hardboard template for a replacement dust shield. I used this to cut two exact semicircles of zintec for the new dust shield. The final job of the week was to trim the upper half of the new material to fit around the axle and brake shoe supports and drill ready for punching the hole for checking lining wear.