I'm trying to replace the dash now.

Little question, how do I remove the speedometer cable from the back of the clocks, I can't quite see back there, but it feels like there is some kind of plastic shell or sheeth that pulls back, but can't figure out any further.
Twist something? pull something? I'd hate to break anything.

Also, can I just unscrew the nut holding the steering wheel in, without doing anything else? It feels might tight, scared it might brake the steering lock or something.

Nm, cluster is out, (it just pulls ) dash still hanging by 1 or 2 screws, not sure if there is actualy a nut behind the centre cap on top of the dash, manual doesn't show one, nor can I see any wear on the new dash at that screw point...

Tip, if you ever need to get those nuts at the top off(as well as the ones under the dash ), and don't have an extention for your socket just use the socket on a flat screwdriver's tip

Then again, I need the old cap, so I have to take it out anyway, was just trying to avoid damage to something....I was gonna recycle anyway... been a tireing day, trying not to break anything, I could probably get as far as I have now in 15 minutes next time. Damn panelbeater was going on about I wouldn't be able to do it, the window must come out and all nonsense. He is getting the car back when I'm done to do everything he did over, he just doesn't know yet, I had to strip just about everything they touched. How can you paint underliner over caked rust without finding the leak, fixing it and the damage and then sealing. Roof strips were just kind of placed in the grooves not a single clip connected, yes it just flaps in the wind now. 1 Doornut missing, 2 of the 3 remaining ones, loose and the list goes on. I'm quite pee'ed off I thought this guy could be trusted. Bet he didn't expect me to tear the car down for a complete restoration.

I've allready re-enameled almost all the metalwork inside the car, like seat bases, handbrake, seatbelt anchors, seat grooves, the large nuts and I got stainless ones for the ones holding the seats, which looks gorgeous against the black gloss clips. Carpet has been riped out and surface rust removed from drivers floor panel and then resealed. Got thick rubber underlay to go in under carpet and then I still need that cotton stuff that goes right under the carpet for more sound deadening...Uno is LOUD without a carpet and seats.

Plastics have been removed from interior and most are done soaking in Wynn's to restore them. all small screws were enameled black on top.


The dash is recycleable?

Yesterday morning I decided to give the car a nice wash so that it would be clean when I went to have the paint matched....

Now I know the seals above the doors are not 100%, and was expecting a few drops, but I was met by an aquarium when I opened the door (thank God this car sleeps garaged). I was convinced that it had to be a hole somwhere under the black air intake infront of the windshield as I had the dash off and it was clean appart from a small leak where a rubber bung/grommit slipped out.

Bugger, meant the bonnet had to come off, which it was going to anyway to get sprayed... except I was doing it on my own.... go independance.



Once I had the cover removed and cleaned up the area I couldn't find any holes (that shouldn't be there)

The bottom half of his recess had some leaves and stuff in, enough to clog the pipe on the vacuum cleaner a few times. But only enough of a gap to get the hose in not enough for a hand.



Eventualy I spotted what I assumed to be another rubber plug, but was actualy the throat to a rubber tube that is supposed to drain that cavity (faster than water can be added in order for water not to rise enough to enter via the opening of the heater assembly).

As I worked it clean forceing the rubbish down to hole with the hose running, the water started to drain faster and faster (was just a trickle at first).



You can see the hole at the right here (its the bottom of that cavity, the camera was just rotated), You can also see the heater assembly where the water was spilling over into when it filled.

Big sigh of relief (I had no carpets in), I was terrified that it would be some nasty cancer in there... apprt from the few drops at the door seals I can not get the car to leak now.
Realy happy.

Thought I'd also upload some pics of the progress with the interior, with the new dash. The black stuff is a hard rubber foam underlay I got at a tile place, It has a layer of something like twyvek at the bottom. The old stuff was done for from age.





Also threw in a picture of the rear bumper repair useing glue devil brand rattlecan. It seems to be sticking just fine, allthough I did buy proper aldplast primer and 2k for the new front bumper.



Then lastly a tip for those with the old hubcaps, spray the wheelnut tops silver with a hightemp spray... compare front and rear in last picture. Photo doesn't do it justice...

nice .. Like the way you look after your car.

Thanks man, spend the day fixing and primeing the bonnet, as well as primeing the new front bumper.
Going to put a coat of anti-chip stuff on the front bit of it tommorrow and then spray 2k paint on Saturday.

Was jokeing this afternoon that the car is starting to look so good I might have to turn the clock back or someone will suspect something is wrong with it... only jokeing though.

Sadly all this las work is just preperation to sell her, got a 5 month old baby, and a car seat and 2 doors made life too complicated.

Got a little Toyota Conquest now, with 280k on the clock, but interior like new almost, massive valve stem seal leak and a few small rust spots.... so the next project is lined up.

I'll probably buy another Uno or at least a Fiat as soon as my wife can find a job again. This Uno realy grew on me, and if you followed the thread from the ****box it started its life as you'd appreciate how much work and money went into it.

I would say just keep pushing through before u sell her. I am still selling mine as soon as a potential buyer arrives I decline the offer. Amazing how a simple and reliable car can grow attached to you.

I got all of the materials to do a full body restore on my uno just saving up cash to pay the "paneel klopperkie" panel beater. Him and I had a talk last night so he cut me in on a smart deal. Good thing about this guy is that he has a good rep here in my neighborhood and ever job he does is tops! around the week of 19th-23rd I am calling him. Hope by that time i can get hold of a proper camera to share some pics with you guys.

Only thing on engine is to replace the drive-shaft seals at the gearbox and both front and rear crankshaft seals becos its pissing oil out there. think the cranck end's are worn out, so new seals does nt quite do it,have to cut those springs abit,I guess.

well thats it for now. busy tinting windows tonight, its getting summer again (YEAH!) had enough of winter,seriously, this black Uno of mine can really pull some sun.

Cheers,

Only oil leaks I ever had was oil pissing from the distributor's little O-ring, the fongkong stuff just does not work well there. Made a terrible mess though... I still need to clean the bottom of the engine and gearbox.

Waiting till I take the old bumper off, and going to do it at my car guy's place as he has the neccesary safety gear. Just read a news story about some guy upcountry who got crushed under his car yesterday.

I love working with the old guy (63), he used to teach technical school kids and aprrentices for a while, so he has the ability to take you from understanding naught to actualy comprehending. When we work on the car I watch, ask questions about the tools etc. and then if something needs doing again a next time, I do it after getting the required tools of my own (where in budget). But I always make sure I know the technical specs, torque settings, you name it, by heart before we start working, other wise things gets tuned by ear 70's style.

Selling it is going to be hard, but no wise alternative. Only one car I'll miss more is my 1st, a 79 (80 shape), Toyota Corona SL, which I bored, balanced and had the flywheel cut lighter, with 14" 215 Potenza RE71's all round (oh and speedocruize). I'd buy that rustbucket back in a heartbeat if I find it.

Thought I'd also upload some pics of the progress with the interior, with the new dash. The black stuff is a hard rubber foam underlay I got at a tile place, It has a layer of something like twyvek at the bottom. The old stuff was done for from age.

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Great work - nice to see another Uno being preserved for someone to enjoy again.

I didn't spot the hard rubber underlay in the pics - has it reduced the noise well?

-Alex

I havent driven around in it much appart from the 300m cruise to the mechanic, but I could tell that fixing all the screw holes etc. between the interior and firewall made a diffirence.

I am busy putting in the interior today new bumper is on and sprayed allthough it does have a small run that needs fixing, and also some of my previous rust removal attempts on the hood seems not to have had paint compatible with 2k. Went on nicely, but then made a wrinkle all around the edge of the old repair. Will give the paint a few days to harden then see to what extent it can be fixed without a complete do over. We did cut out the rust and welded new sheet in and it won't rust. So, I'm happy for the next guy in this regard.

Have to go buy some push on clips for the black cloth thing that goes under the hood, almost all the clips broke as we took it off to spray the underside of the hood. I don't expect it to be too expensive.

Also rebuilt the door they put on for me, man was I angry to say they made a ballsup is an understatement. even had the door handle mechanism the wrong way around and sqeezed between the doorcard and inner skin. I'm so angry, the new door cleary was in an accident, and is no way near as good as the old one (appart from the rust), the spray job they did is abhorent, I can even see disk grinder marks through the paint, and had to bend the inner door for everything to be in the correct place.

Cleaned it out, glued in the loose flaps of sound deadening they left hanging, greased the mechanisms reattached clips to doorcard (tip - tab from a beer can works great as a new anchor point when slipped between the cardboard and worn holes). Still need to hunt for weatherstripping for the window base as they just made that worse. At least the drains are open and clean now. Other parts needed is the drivers side sunvisor, and passenger mirror (actualy just needs the outer boot that goes over the arm to the mirror). I'd say its at 99% completion.

Oh yeah it struck me last night the old sx I'm stripping for spares at the scrapyard has black body trim on like my car, I had better go save that for some future uno.

Hyperspace said:

reattached clips to doorcard (tip - tab from a beer can works great as a new anchor point when slipped between the cardboard and worn holes)

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Hey that is good - now I can dare to pull off my spare Punto's cards with some chance of mending the inevitable damage.

But still, is there some special tool/technique for unclipping cards?

Naah, although if you had a piece of 2mm plate and cut a slot wide enough to clear the pin part it should come out more straight and less prone to snapping either side of the clip or the cardboard itself. I got a few spare clips for the doorcards from the car I pulled the dash off at the scrapyard.

The doorcards aren not ribbed though so they are of the easier clips to get out.

Flatpoint screw driver and a fast hand...Lol just kidding

Flat point screw driver and a fast hand...Lol just kidding

Little bit sad, sold my girl. New owner just collected it.
Hope my next uno is a turbo.

Hyperspace said:

Little bit sad, sold my girl. New owner just collected it.
Hope my next uno is a turbo.

Click to expand...

my heart achs for a UT