Yankee Express RestoMod Project

[Brandy]

How do we feel about the new high tech metal bonding agents from places like 3M and Loctite? Loctite has one that is supposed to be an alternative to welding and uses a snapped bicycle lower down bar ahead of the pedal axle as an example of a situation in which it would work. That would be a high stress point, so it must be the shiznitz or why would they use such an example? Thoughts? Keeping in mind the dissimilar metals issue between steel and aluminum.

 

[Brandy]

Or, I could just slide a plastic shim between the two and bolt the ****** on. lol.

 

[Brandy]

Took the plunge. Just bought this mechanism. 2009 Audi TT rear spoiler lift mechanism. Damaged frame (twisted a little) and only $53 bucks. I don't need the frame to be perfect anyway, it's under the trunk deck. Plus I can straighten it. This is longer and the lift arms spread further apart than a Crossfire version. Should do. We shall see. Plus it's heavier duty than a small Crossfire unit.

 

[Hey-O]

Now that's a plan!!

 

[Brandy]

it's even got a couple of the little rubber bumpers..lol. Not sure if the drive shafts are bowed. Seems like it's off of a wrecked TT.
Anyway, it's all fixable and the new parts are available from the dealer. I like the mounting surfaces being big flat plates versus little 1/2" wide rests that the Crossfire has. This is much more beefy. I don't need the curved shaped frame and can trim it off I think.

 

[Brandy]

It was free shipping as well so it must not weigh anything at all..

 

[HawkRod]

How do we feel about the new high tech metal bonding agents from places like 3M and Loctite? Loctite has one that is supposed to be an alternative to welding and uses a snapped bicycle lower down bar ahead of the pedal axle as an example of a situation in which it would work. That would be a high stress point, so it must be the shiznitz or why would they use such an example? Thoughts? Keeping in mind the dissimilar metals issue between steel and aluminum.

I do not have personal experience with the new bonding materials, but I have heard from a few people I trust that they are almost better and stronger than welding. They used this in the context of body panels though, I still have my doubts if you need to connect two edges of 1/4" plate steel!

 

[Hey-O]

I would drill holes through the flat stock, put all thread in and plug weld on top. Grind it clean.

 

[Brandy]

I would drill holes through the flat stock, put all thread in and plug weld on top. Grind it clean.

I was also thinking along those lines as I would rather have a positive mechanical fastener than anything else. So drill and tap the hole, spin all thread into it and leave it short of the top and fill that space with plug weld. Leaving threaded rod hanging out of the wing. The tray out of #18-20 gauge sheet metal.
The actuating rods look like they pass through the base into the well the linkage arms rest in and there's an oblong hole in the bottom of that well that must have a rubber plug, like a body drain plug that goes into it. The rods have a rubber gusset that seals them off from the inside of the trunk. I'll have to make some gaskets to separate the aluminum frame from the trunk metal tray though, and it looks like the aluminum frame has studs at each end to bolt it up to the trunk frame.

 

[Brandy]

Just for reference......here's what this part costs at Audi.

 

[Brandy]

Remy went to the groomers today for a nail trim and got a treat after.

 

[Hey-O]

Nothing with Audi on it is cheap. I've used Audi TT seats and the controls for the seat heater. Their seats on the TT are not electric, they do have a gas shock to raise and lower them. I liked the plastic side bolsters to keep the sides from rolling down flat from getting in and out of the car. You did good on the wing!!

 

[Brandy]

Nothing with Audi on it is cheap. I've used Audi TT seats and the controls for the seat heater. Their seats on the TT are not electric, they do have a gas shock to raise and lower them. I liked the plastic side bolsters to keep the sides from rolling down flat from getting in and out of the car. You did good on the wing!!

This is just the base. The wing itself is another $500 bucks..lol. Yeah, it's tough to find really good seats at a fair price.

 

[Hey-O]

About 50 miles from me is an indoor high end car salvage yard. Full of vipers, wheels, engines. The seats were 500 a pair. They looked new. The guy had a gold mine in parts for any high end car you could imagine.

 

[Brandy]

About 50 miles from me is an indoor high end car salvage yard. Full of vipers, wheels, engines. The seats were 500 a pair. They looked new. The guy had a gold mine in parts for any high end car you could imagine.

Yeah, those kind of yards are nice places to score good stuff. There's one near me called Browns. Stuff from about 2002 and up. Problem is that newer model wrecks that have high end features mostly get auctioned off quickly. There's a couple of 2004-'06 Audis with the dash/ interior wiring etc that are entire cars for like $700 bucks and running, driving units here in VT. When I get to putting it back together I'll buy the nicest one and use the interior and harnesses etc. The ones I started with are beat up now from mocking up and fitment.

 

[Brandy]

Investigating analog gauges to fit in this panel. 4 1/2" and 1 1/2"

 

[Hey-O]

View attachment 1071572

Investigating analog gauges to fit in this panel. 4 1/2" and 1 1/2"

What's it out of?

 

[Hey-O]

https://www.speedhut.com/gauges/4-1-2-inch/?catid=f256

 

[Brandy]

What's it out of?

2004 Audi A6.

 

[Brandy]

https://www.speedhut.com/gauges/4-1-2-inch/?catid=f256

great resource, thanks! Now, if I could only find a 1 1/2" fuel gauge!