Disassembling Your Car
Take apart car, Disassemble car door, Disassemble car engine
The job of disassembling a car is a big one; it will likely take you about a week to do it properly. Documenting every step is perhaps the most time-consuming part, but it is also crucially important. You need to be slow, careful, patient and methodical to avoid breaking parts or missing a piece of documentation. Make sure you have plenty of room and a storage system set up. Shelves, bags, boxes and marker pens will all be necessary.
Take pictures
Before you even begin to disassemble the car, take pictures of all its parts, from every angle. Doors, corners, window moldings, the engine compartment and interior are among the parts that will need to be thoroughly photographed. Don’t rush this stage. Be methodical. When it comes to reassembly, which could be a long time down the track, these pictures could prove invaluable. Also photograph every step of the disassembly.
Bagging and boxing
Have zip lock bags on hand in all sorts of sizes, and a marker pen at hand to label every bolt, clip and hinge that you take off the car. Write what it is, and where it belongs. Note which side of the car it comes from too. Use whatever system of colors and storage will make it easiest for you when it comes to reassembly.
Taking notes
Keep a notebook handy and write down every little detail that you think
you might forget. Any tips, difficulties, tricks, and parts that might
need replacing. Make an inventory list of all your parts, and label it
according to your box and bag labeling system. Do it as you go, so you
don’t forget anything.
First steps
Get started by removing mirrors, bumpers, emblems, and trim. Make sure
you have the right tools, and again, be patient. You might need penetrating
oil for rusted parts, and trim removing tools to make the job easier and
gentler on your car.
Take off the fenders, trunk lid and hood
Get a helper to save your back and make these jobs much easier. Take notes
on all washers and shims you remove, and take photographs at every point
of removal. You can remove the doors at this stage too, but if you are
lucky and they do not need repair, it might be best to leave them on.
Re-hanging doors during reassembly can be extremely difficult.
Remove windshield and rear window
You’ll need to first remove the outside chrome molding; be very careful
as it is easy to scratch the glass at this stage. It’s a good idea to
wear goggles and gloves too, because old glass is more prone to shatter
than new glass. Get some help so that one of you can gently push the windows
while the other waits to catch them when they pop out.
Gut the interior
Remove seats and interior paneling. Take out the carpet and the dash cover.
Label all wires (making sure the battery is first disconnected) using
masking tape. Store parts in labeled plastic bags, and use sheeting or
large bags for seats and panels.
Clear the firewall
Remove any and all engine accessories. Wrap the engine in plastic and
store it unless you are sending it away for work. Take lots of photographs
and try to avoid removing any wiring.
Check your notes
Make a list of all parts that need replacing. You will need to do some
detective work to find the right places to get the right parts, so ask
at your car club or search online. Don’t be tempted to cut corners because
quality restorers do cost more, but the results are worth the money.