Lada Sputnik Revolution 1.3 - repairs, fixes and upgrades
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Painting the rear brake drums
I was planning this to do for a long time, and since I didn't have the knowledge how to remove and reinstall the drums nor the proper paint for the jos, I was rather reluctant. So, finally, once I had everything I needed I got myself onto the job. And here are the results...
The cas is raised on the jack, and the drum is removed.
The drum looking really, really dull like this... Wonder how it will shine once I get it finished?
And the rear brakes. They're dusty, dirty and very, very hard to access the brake pads, without the right equipment.
Brake drum, before I used sand paper on it.
And once again, brake drum after I finished removing all the dust and dirt from it with sand paper.
Saratoga paint, really useful and a proper tool for the job, the same paint I used when we painted the engine block and cover.
Drum - painted and drying.
The markings on freshly painted right rear drum - VAZ 2108, russian type of marking cars between categories and models.
Brake drum painted and installed.
And here's a closeup of the reinstalled brake drum.
So, here's how it looks behind the wheel rim.
And a bit further shot... I think it looks quite good, as I didn't want any of the 'ordinary' colors like red or so... I wanted something unordinary, like this.
When it was the time for the left brake drum, I had some problems with the brake. On this shot you can see the thing that caused me the problem...
There is one small spring on each brake pad holding it to the wheel circle behind (like a big panel, the brake drum cover). It always seem to drop from the brake pad.
Like on this picture. I found this one not on it's place, but moving around the brake.
So I finally managed to install it back.
And the place where I had to operate was so tight... You can see how tight.
But, the brakes were ready for the newly painted brake drum...
...here it is, drying a bit before we reinstall it.
So, the installation of the this particular brake drum was a nightmare... I spent over 30 minutes of trying to get it into the place. Perhaps I didn't know the right procedure :)
But never mind, as this is the result! Doesn't it look great!? :)

Changed all four springs and all shock absorbers
The springs and absorbers are all russian made and were really in a bad shape. Specially the springs. I changed the rear shock absorbers, hoping that it would raise the rear of the car, but it still didn't. The springs needed to be changed. So, I said - what the hell, I change all of it! And I have, so here are the photos of the new parts, as well as the car as it is now.
The new front springs and new front shock absorbers (if you can see them at all!)
New rear springs and I guess you can see the rear absorbers here.
And a more detailed photo of the rear springs.
And this is how the car is raised now, since it was really, really low with the old springs.

Dressing the interior to leather - in progress
I am currently in process of making a new trim for Sputnik's interior. At the moment, I've only changed both right covers (front door cover and rear cover), and have dressed the roof cover. The ones at the left side are still being dressed up and afterwards we'll move onto dressing up all seats, steering wheel, making a hand-made gearshift and handbrake boot. Also, we will trim the rear speaker panel and front dashboard and instrument cover in leather. For the time being, here are just some of the photos of the work done...

The left side of the car is currently left open without any covers. I need to polish these with the paint polisher before I move onto putting the newly done covers.
And, the left door is also left hanging without any covers. It looks dull as is, but will get a new cover soon.
And here's how the rear right inside panel looks like, trimmed in black / light gray (almost white) leather.
And, of course, the right door with the newly trimmed panel in my favourite color. It's funny how the door covers now match the seat covers, but I'm sure the leather trimmed seats will also match the door panels too.
And the rear left panel, still to be finished. I'm also awaiting for the new front left door panel. After that... onto the seats! ;)

Finalized all the door panels, and few more bits. We're going onto the leather seats now :)