Traction Avant

 

Body:

• Most original sills don't stand thorough cleaning. Replacing is a difficult (specialist) job.

• Be carefull with sand blasting a Traction. Doors and bonnet can't stand blasting with even the slightest bit of too much pressure. I've seen a lot of abused panels so be aware. General rule is to only have edges and corners sandblasted. Stay clear of large areas. And always clear off any sort coating before the sandblasting. Blasting this stuff of will result in holes. Proper companies will tell you to remove the coating or do it themselves, by hand!!!

• There is only one way to eradicate rust in door tips or bottoms. Cut off outer door panel either below trim line or as far as the replacement reaches (full panel is best and easiest repair). Cut off the lower part of the remaining structure. Weld on the new section. Have the door sand blasted (carefully!!!). Weld on the outer panel. Use proper primer, and some sort of rust proofing wax (Tectyl for example) and they will last a life time. During the welding, keep test fitting the door in the car to ensure good panel fit.

• Complete floors are available for most types. Problem is the edge on which the floor lies. This "inside sill" is not available as a repair panel. When the floor is gone, this part of the sill will have gone as well.

 

Mechanical:
Everything is available.

• Original driveshafts will keep good when treated good.

• A very large press is needed to get the silentblocks out of the front axle. Be carefull because the cradle can be easily damaged.

• Clutch judder is usually easily solved by resetting the height of the clutch operating fingers. But be warned. Taking apart the clutch will undo all the balancing to the engine, which can result in vibrations.

• The conrods have the bearings cast in. The conrods can be replaced by early DS/ID ones (also used in some H vans) which use seperate bearing shells.