Crushing classic supercar chassis parts with a hydraulic press

In this video it all goes wrong as I use a hydraulic press to crush some brand new parts meant for my classic Lotus Esprit resto build.
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[@pondafarr]

It is so refreshing to see the real side of restoration problems that you illustrated in this video. Sad to see the error, but the fix was so much more interesting to see.

[@billbeyer657]

Takes a brave man to post his mistakes for the world to comment on. Props to you. Really enjoying this build.

[@philipB31]

Ah the old trick of not quite paying attention when you have a new hydraulic press… glad it looks like it worked out ok. Thank you, as always, for sharing.

[@andersjjensen]

If my last name was Buffet I would furnish you with a complete workshop with every tool known to man. There is something very satisfying about watching old parts be restored, even if it requires equipment a thousand times more expensive than just buying new ones. Stop motion makes "the restauration effect" ten times as potent, so you'd be the perfect channel to have lathes, mills, 3D metal printers, mechanical filers, scroll saws, etc, etc. And now I understand why Abom79 insists on having a hand cranked hydraulic press. When he said he preferred feeling the resistance as the pressure builds I was only vaguely on board with what he meant. Now I know exactly what he meant: If you've pressed in (or out) a lot of bearings and bushings you get a feel for how much force is needed, so you can stop and inspect if something is suddenly off. But as always, and I'll never stop telling you this: I came for the stop-motion (via Ronald Finger's shout-out) but I stayed for you outlook on life. Your channel has become sort of "an old friend sharing what he's been up to" to me.

[@Phantomthecat]

I think we've all been there George - well I sure have anyway... 🤣

[@miketriesmotorsports6080]

There is a great deal of satisfaction in correcting mistakes that sometimes eclipses the frustration that you experienced when you made them, isn't there? Great job!

[@joostramaer]

I'm stunned George. To me the crushed suspension arm looked unsalvageable. I could hardly believe my eyes watching this video. It is a stunning achievement. Comparable to how you restored the rusted-through upper spring seats of the front suspension, with their impossible mix of angles and axes (axis?). By making your own rig. The name of that video began with "Chopped up … " I think. Congratulations. If I'd wear a hat, I'd doff it.

[@johngassmann9581]

I wrecked TWO brand-new ball joints trying to install them on my old VW bus and I wasn't even using a hydraulic press. So don't feel too bad. You did a great job solving the problem.

[@cesarmagdaleno6009]

I enjoy your ingenuity on fixing your mistake. Truly enjoyed you fixing the damaged part most of all. Can’t wait to see more. Your length of videos are perfect. But sometimes wish they were longer. Only because I want to keep watching you work. Keep up the fight. And thank you.

[@phildem414]

Neat save 😎 The plasma cutter is so satisfying 😏

[@bandidol200]

It wasn't the hydraulic press that worried me, it was the spring compressor, they're the tool of the devil. Scary, scary scary, one false move and Zeberde takes a quick trip through the roof! 😮

[@jerrydonnan8665]

Called "suicide compressors" by my local garage - as they have a nice pneumatic tool that allows the user to stay far away from during the dangerous bit

[@fordyootbling2189]

Very impressed with your welding and repairs. Mistakes are a pain but recovery is good medicine. Thank you for sharing. Press on - carefully

[@aussietruckphotosandmodels8510]

Another great video from Mr Soup. It always makes me happy when I see it on my feed. And also sad because I know I'll watch it straight away, and there won't be another one for a while.. I bought a metric and imperial hydraulic sheave kit when I got my press. It's a lot better than trying to find a socket that's close enough to the size. And even better still it was only about 60 quid at the time. Many years later, I'm surprised that I still have all the bits.

[@peterwarner8541]

Awesome recovery George. Caused myself an over torque issue with my new impact driver a short while ago too. Drill a grease nipple into the ball joints while you have access.

[@draincctv8659]

Even if your channel failed, you won't need a 9-5 job with that invisibility suite lol. I'd watch a video on how you film the scenes alone, because its nothing short of amazing.

[@danbrown4517]

Welding's coming on nicely George!

[@liambrady9852]

As always your videos are amazing art! It find myself saying “Ooh, Soup” nowadays as it’s a pleasant welcome surprise to see you have a video posted!

[@dennisferron8847]

Okay now I don't feel so bad for having used a press to cause similar damage to a relatively uncommon Honda Prelude part. I was trying to salvage (reuse) a 92-96 electric-4WS rear subframe, but the lower control arm bolt was rusted into the bushing. Inability to remove the bolt was preventing removal of the LCA from the subframe. I attempted to press the bolt through the LCA bushing against the side of the subframe, but unbeknownst to me the rusted bolt to bushing interface was now stuck harder than the bushing to LCA interface. So when I thought I was pressing the bolt through, I was in fact pressing the much larger bushing through the bolt hole in the subframe. The receiving cup and LCA bushing were acting like the punch and die of a leather punch tool to shear the sheet metal of the subframe, and now I had a worse problem than when I started. To separate it I had to do what I should have done in the first place: cut the bolt off flush on both sides of the bushing with a reciprocating saw. What complicates recovering from this mistake is it wasn't a normal bolt or normal hole. It's a slot and offset bolt head for suspension adjustment. I still haven't figure out what I'm going to do, but it may involve converting to a turnbuckle style adjustment and fixed holes.

[@robertverhey]

Aaah we all have those one step forward four steps back days. In time your press will pay for itself many times over, even if used only a few times a year. I am currently recommissioning your car's cousin, '75 Elite. Coincidentally just refitted the shocks....and despite paying attention, the spring compressor did indeed half let go....the definition of fear!

[@htownblue11]

This channel deserves a million subs man. It’s starting to look like a legit Soup creation,

[@mr2spyderchronicles287]

I would probablty stop for the day if i made such a mistake. Sometimes we need to step back as one small mistake can take hours to set right. I learnt that when at the end of a job used a nylon tube to fill up the gearbox with oil, and the tube poped out of the filling hose and into the gearbox it went through the fill hole. Luckily there was a large enough window though the top to put fish the tube out, but that window was for the selector fork so had to disassemble all the stuff on top of the engine and the fork itself to be able to reach it. Simple fill up ended up costing my almost 3h extra

[@creamwobbly]

Had the same thing with a PCV grommet. It just decided to play hide & seek. I didn't want to take the valve cover off so I just barely managed to fish the bugger out, swear at it, and put it in properly. Little bastard...

[@AW_DIY_garage]

Another great video. Sorry for the set backs, but thatnk you for taking us along for the ride.

[@spatchist]

'Always be knolling' says Tom Sachs , thanks for pointing out where that came from originally. Oh, and with great power (30 tons of..) comes great responsibility.

[@rowanhawklan9707]

My girlfriend overheard this vid and wanted to know why I was watching soft pork on KZbin? After thinking for a second I said I could see how she might think that "I can just slip anouther one in and mash the pedal into the sunset". 😂

[@lumbi.m]

It's a good day... Some Soup with some Soup 😃

[@Scodiddly]

"...or so I thought." Ouch - those are *always* fun. Good luck on the replacement ball joint!

[@marcusott2973]

Much awaited, much appreciated looking forward to excellent work as always from you.

[@mikemccarthy7375]

Love seeing the progress. Can’t wait for a rolling chassis. Keep going! 😃👍🏼

[@markzed66]

I postponed my Olympics update when I saw this vid drop. Well worth it. 👍

[@bradcrossman5068]

Hmmm...hydraulic presses. "They are the best of tools and they are the worst of tools", to quote Dickens. I think it was Dick Dickens, Chuck's brother....not sure. Regardless, glad to see progress! Cheers Georgie from Sussex NB. 🇨🇦

[@WoodworkingforAnyone]

Whats Chuck been up to? I haven't seen him since the wedding.

[@kimhenry5658]

My dad used to say - To err is human but for a really big stuff up you need a machine. And a momentary lapse of attention. So true. Cheers from Tasmania

[@petercroft9895]

​@@kimhenry5658The woodworking version is: Power tools are a faster way of making bigger mistakes, with more noise and sawdust 😅.

[@grantlingley1385]

…and likewise from Dartmouth Nova Scotia! Us Maritimers eh!

[@bradcrossman5068]

@@grantlingley1385 Cheers Lad! I'm in Cape Breton for the weekend.

[@jakespeed63]

Bravo!! I did the same thing swapping BJ’s on my friend’s 1961 Cadillac. Truth be told they were junk to begin with. At work we have a 55 Ton OTC Mack Daddy air/hydraulic press. It will make scrap of stuff in a heartbeat if you aren’t careful. Safety first!! Love your videos Thanks for dragging us along JT: Orlando FLA

[@grkfrk04]

Great update. Following along from California with my 4 year old son.

[@terryatkinson3182]

When we get a new toy, we are too excited to read any instructions 😂 I usually get to page 3 and then wing it.....😮

[@joeroad6618]

I always look at it like this, if you never screw up, you'll never learn anything

[@Chubbsinfrance]

Just love how you make do and mend proper old school mechanics non of this oh let's buy a new one . Also, know what you mean about budget as we are renovating an old small holdings in france and have a small youtube channel but no patrons yet keep up the great work ❤

[@TheMdog8]

Bloody love your vids mate

[@backpackeradam]

Keep it up George!

[@SuperchargedLlama]

Well done!!!! I can only imagine how much of a downer that was when you realise you'd done what you had. I think the point that you made about necessity of having to do things yourself due to cost constraints is really salient; you don't have a choice, you gotta do it!

[@johngibson3837]

Hey up soup absolutely love how film the invisible worker when things are happening

[@morgadoapi4431]

This must be one of the most underrated channels on youtube.

[@andersjjensen]

He caters to a different audience than the "get the checkbook out and raid the performance parts catalogue" channels. Personally I find the stop-motion with voice-over approach incredibly soothing, but some see it as boring content stretching. Each to their own, I guess. But when George is on my front page he gets the first click single every time.

[@morgadoapi4431]

@@andersjjensen he gets the second click after primitive technology for me. But they have never put out videos at the same time so that has not been an issue ever. So basically first click. :D

[@andersjjensen]

@@morgadoapi4431 Ahh! Now that's a dilemma I hope I never have to face. I guess it depends on what mood I'm in at the moment. If I REALLY feel like just switching my brain off and just chilling it's probably going to be Primitive Technology, but if there's any curiosity or hunger for knowledge it's going to be Soup.

[@andyoverall1951]

You just added 50 g of Mercedes part to your Lotus, oh the irony! Enjoyed the video, thanks.

[@SB-vb8ch]

Air over hyd gives very little feedback/feel vs a hand cranked press. Huge forces are easy to deploy...but you already know that!

[@JamesTaylor-n1u]

Have you heard the one about the Irishman who wrecked the Lotus Esprit series II lower front link arm ball joint seat?

[@FridgeProductionsLtd]

You should store that door and glass a lot more securely, since both panes, but especially the front quarterlight glasses are very rare.

[@brianbob7514]

This channel is super great

[@variousengineering1965]

Weird, didn't get a notification for the vid. Glad it popped up eventually atleast.

[@jonathanmcrae5480]

nice recovery

[@grayfool]

If we are honest with ourselves, we have all done something similar. In some cases, not me of course (!), many times. It's not what you screw up, it's being able to unscrew it that really matters.

[@griptopia]

hydraulic Stress - been here got that t-shirt, feel the pain. great work and well worth the wait.. thank you .. everything i do uses small bits of metal..! all my neighbours know it too...!

[@722garage9]

Chapman was never a person for splashing out on high end parts. Take one of the old ball joints to a traditional motor factor, and ask an old school person there to find 'one of those'. I have a suspicion that they're something like Cortina or Capri parts and will be about a tenner!

[@area6771]

It's not "wrecking" if you're "stress testing", the parts ;)

[@somewhat7]

13:48 i felt that 🤣

[@NNappula]

Pressed +200 bars on front wheel bearing housings flange when I used the press first time, without paying attention. The flange took it nicely, and the bearing was not that stuck afterall. 😅

[@davidclarke3643]

they look remarkably like classic beetle ball joints, commonly available for about a tenner.

[@twcmaker]

I know what you mean about Patreons helping out. I've not got to that level yet, only just gone over 10k subs. But it's amazing how few viewings are going on right now. Then there's the ad revenue... That drops like a brick when the other figures go up 🙈 You can't win. Great video, if I could afford the Patreon, I would. Keep on focusing George 👍👍👍 Saves a lot of time and money. Jamie

[@pontuswendt2486]

AMAZINGNES!!!

[@paulryan522]

Aye carumba, George!!

[@AntonyBrotherton]

Always be knolling 😂

[@calebschneider3359]

Stay stuck in George!

[@malcolmyoung7866]

Hoho George it’s good to see you are now not to far behind me in the ‘Press Lympics’ ‘How to Destroy vehicle component in one fell swoop’ athon. One of those time when ‘crushing it’ isn’t what you want to hear. Transfer case bearings in my lastest ‘gaff’ it’s okay a replacement is ‘only’ £25 (apparently) Before that Jed and I ‘wasted’ a bushing or two whilst trying to film it. He was on the ‘handle’ and I was on the camera ‘directing’ only find my direct him correctly and … well.. the bushing was ‘bushed’. Things are progressing somewhat in ‘Soup World’ great to see that the re assembly continues at a reasonable pace.. rushing things never works out right.. we’ve both experienced that.. keep at it and … ‘Good Luck!’

[@earthstick]

I always wonder if it is ok to put grease on threads before assembling things. It seems like a good idea to me.

[@garrettlowell7637]

5:15 Yes-I have The Moaning Chair for these times. AKA as The Cursing Chair, The Reviewing My Life-Choices Chair, & The Talking Myself Out Of Pushing The $€£¥% Machine Into The River Chair.

[@rivenmotors7981]

Well since this whole build up to this point has been easy street and smooth, uninterrupted progress, I guess you were only due for a pitfall or two. You showed grace and temerity in the face of misfortune but I want to hear some sweet cursing and kicking of stuff -or is that only available for your Patreon patrons? Thanks for sharing your time George!

[@Sneddz1]

YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU FUCKNNNNNNNNNN BEAUTY

[@discipleoftheword1785]

Thank you!

[@dennisferron8847]

You might have been better off with a cheaper hand-pumped (non-air powered) hydraulic press. With those it's both impossible to be inattentive (since it's human-powered) but also you get some force feedback through the handle enough to know if the pressing force ramps up or down unexpectedly.

[@nickgeorgiakakis7249]

George, to gamises.

[@1one3_Racing]

I'm looking for a shop press at the moment. I don't really need one. I just kind of want one!

[@user-ci8le8qt7u]

Fuq yes a new upload

[@FridgeProductionsLtd]

You would be better using hand pressure on the hydraulic press, not compressed air. That way it is easier to assess if things are going awry when pressing in bearings etc.

[@bartoni79]

Man alive! That was a traumatic 14 mins for me. I can’t imagine how you felt after that first ill fated press…Also… to boost your channel, why not contact Jonny smith from the late brake show?

[@adogmcdizzle]

He who never made a mistake never learnt anything

[@lsklsk111]

Great Work..

[@ncdave4]

Amazing how much "budget" and "what I'm willing to do" transcend autos.. mines not an Esprit but a lowly Beetlesprit.. and I find myself nodding and commenting to myself that "I had to do that too"... soldier on..

[@danamuise4117]

I love restoring vintage cars but I chose vintage motorbikes because they're smaller and cheaper

[@AdmiralSenn]

Hey, this isn't the Hydraulic Press Channel! ;)

[@squareyes1981]

Where did the wagon come from? I’ve my friends headwrecked over a W211 E200 Avanrgarde wagon in silver or black.

[@vitex9980]

Feeling a bit depressed right now.... the repercussions of your failures spread world-wide! 🙃

[@muzzthegreat]

Ani in Finland thinks you have failed utterly!

[@ToolsnTrack]

Oh there is sooo little money!

[@robmidwales8513]

Epic as always😎

[@troynutter8902]

How much can you bolt on before it is too heavy to carry down stairs?

[@petercroft9895]

Hard to tell from the video, but it looked to me like not only were the heights of the balljoints different, but maybe also the taper angle.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

But maybe the taper angle offsets the height difference!?

[@mrc7478]

Hello

[@edvardfranke]

Thx

[@morphyon]

My instinct has me to ask… are the required forces too high to use a manual press?

[@BlakeMcBride]

I did a great job of pressing in all the bushings and joints on the control arms of my Aston a few weeks ago. No issues. So to maintain balance I cross threaded the bolt on the ball joint and ruined it.

[@user-mp5zv3bx4u]

Super ✌️👍👌

[@stevenharpervw]

What air pressure do you media /sand blast at

[@CR-di1lg]

Has the shocks been serviced recently?

[@jaswingrove]

damn 134k subscribers and there’s still not much money in the youtube game? damn

[@AmalgamationofMan]

I absolutely would not reuse that knuckle after all that even if it was a Toyota prius knuckle. It's your steering geometry and safety. Somethings should not be done just because one has the tools and time.

[@andydelapoer]

Go on George

[@MrMaxDelux]

5th comment... nice with a new video... any luck with the posters of the lotus?

[@kieransammon666]

Step by step 🎵

[@stevenharpervw]

Where did you get the media for sand blasting . Is there somewhere in Ireland ?

[@soupclassicmotoring]

I'm using fine steel grit, got it from a big crowd in Bray but can't remember the name. I'm sure you'll find them. No clue about pressure, it's running off the body shops screw compressor but I've used it with a 100L pump compressor, I'd guess 10cfm and it worked great.

[@stevenharpervw]

@@soupclassicmotoring so would you said their compressor holds at at 100psi or higher ?

[@gravydavy4188]

😊

[@mikwhiting938]

Proper weld-porn there mate. Glad it worked out. :)

[@DIY-V12]

The horror....the horror.....

[@emmanuelmartinez8902]

Every time I work on my Pontiac fiero I end up breaking something or finding out aftermarket parts don't fit like original parts🤦

[@andersjjensen]

To quote Marty from Mighty Car Mods: "Bolt on kits aren't!". Since you're working on a Fiero I assume you're acquainted with Ronald Finger's channel? If not, you're in for a TREAT!