In the meantime, I started diagramming the front end, and how it was going to come apart. I figured that the body panels should be the first to go, and took off the wings. This was my first really good look at the passenger-side exhaust manifold, and it is pitted and in horrible shape. More impetus to strip her down completely.

Next up, I wanted to get the axle out of there so I could set to work on that while I peered at the engine and tranny some more. The dolly only needed a slight modification, and I had been soaking the shackle bolts for a month this time...they came right off. The only heartburn was with the tie-rod ends on the steering arms. I ended up using the hydraulic jack, blocks of wood, and a BFH to whack them off. Only one of them is damaged, so that is a minor victory.

Look at the massive oil leak...

Once the axle was dropped onto the dolly, she slid right out and I was able to cut the U-bolts off with the angle grinder. It was apparent that the diff oil seal was long gone, and there were some issues with the bolts holding the drop arms onto the swivel balls. I did remove the gaiters and take a peek, and the new swivels were still gorgeous and smooth. I began the scrubbing, scraping, and sandblasting to get the axle prepped for the POR treatment as well. But the serious work was more mental - trying to figure out the next step.

Cleaning the front axle

The most likely candidate...a full frontal assault on the venerable Lord Lucas!