Chassis Leg Removal and Replacement
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- Minor Friendly
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Chassis Leg Removal and Replacement
I've made a start on replacing my rusted-out front chassis legs. The car had been in a small crash at some point and the front cross member was quite bent, so it wasn't suprising that when I cut through it with the angle grinder, the legs sprang apart a little. I doubt if the front of the car is exactly where it should be, but I am hoping that there is enough give-and-take in everything that the engine mounts and grill, etc, will still fit when I am finished (not to mention wheel alignment)... I did measure everything to get an idea where it would go.
The old section was removed by cutting with the grinder and drilling through the spot welds (all from the bottom side) - which was easier than I thought it might be. This left a hole in the bodywork above at each spot weld, the idea being that I would plug weld though this on to the new section.
The new bit was fitted carefully, clamped, and tacked at both ends (with careful attention to all the measurements). We then did the welding we could reach at the back end (I'll do the bottom side when I tip the car the other way). Once welded I cleaned it up with the grinder, welded some more (to fill up a couple of small holes!) and then got it nice and smooth with a flap disk and sand paper. I finished off with a quick coat of primer to see what it looked like - not too bad I think!
I've done a few of the plug welds along the edges to hold it all together, and I now have the car upright so I can finish them off easily. Piece of cake!
Technically, our rules specify that major chassis repair has to be done by a certified welder, so I am hoping that this looks good enough that it won't be noticable at a quick glance. The whole underside will be repainted, so there will be no way to tell the difference between old repairs and new ones anyway.
Now, some pics!
The old section removed:
[frame][/frame]
[frame][/frame]
New section ready to weld:
[frame][/frame]
Partly welded:
[frame][/frame]
Back end welded, ground and sanded:
[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]
The old section was removed by cutting with the grinder and drilling through the spot welds (all from the bottom side) - which was easier than I thought it might be. This left a hole in the bodywork above at each spot weld, the idea being that I would plug weld though this on to the new section.
The new bit was fitted carefully, clamped, and tacked at both ends (with careful attention to all the measurements). We then did the welding we could reach at the back end (I'll do the bottom side when I tip the car the other way). Once welded I cleaned it up with the grinder, welded some more (to fill up a couple of small holes!) and then got it nice and smooth with a flap disk and sand paper. I finished off with a quick coat of primer to see what it looked like - not too bad I think!
I've done a few of the plug welds along the edges to hold it all together, and I now have the car upright so I can finish them off easily. Piece of cake!
Technically, our rules specify that major chassis repair has to be done by a certified welder, so I am hoping that this looks good enough that it won't be noticable at a quick glance. The whole underside will be repainted, so there will be no way to tell the difference between old repairs and new ones anyway.
Now, some pics!
The old section removed:
[frame][/frame]
[frame][/frame]
New section ready to weld:
[frame][/frame]
Partly welded:
[frame][/frame]
Back end welded, ground and sanded:
[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]
- Dryad
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Re: Chassis Leg Removal and Replacement
I can see that happening here in the UK soon - they've already done it for electrical work in the homeoilypaws wrote:Technically, our rules specify that major chassis repair has to be done by a certified welder,
Excellent job there, though!
Re: Chassis Leg Removal and Replacement
I'll echo Dryad's comment.....excellent job.
Seeing the last photo one is tempted to ask ...."what repair ? "
Well done
Bob
Seeing the last photo one is tempted to ask ...."what repair ? "
Well done
Bob
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- Minor Legend
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Re: Chassis Leg Removal and Replacement
Thank you thank you thank you Oilypaws! I'm going to do the entire right chassis leg this coming weekend.........and your thread is just perfect for preparation!
The way to a man's heart may be making food, but the way to my heart is buying me car parts!
Come read about my Minor at An American Moggie.
Come read about my Minor at An American Moggie.
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Re: Chassis Leg Removal and Replacement
Just reading your posts, it looks like you have taken the whole floor out of yours - much more adventurous than me (mine is OL, thankfully). You shouldn't have any difficulty with the chassis legs...Fingolfin wrote:Thank you thank you thank you Oilypaws! I'm going to do the entire right chassis leg this coming weekend.........and your thread is just perfect for preparation!
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- Minor Maniac
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Re: Chassis Leg Removal and Replacement
Nice job!
What is the Blue stuff, seam sealer?
What is the Blue stuff, seam sealer?
"Once you break something you will see how it was put together"
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Re: Chassis Leg Removal and Replacement
well it cost me £918 in total at a well known repairer!
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Re: Chassis Leg Removal and Replacement
Nope, that is some bright metallic blue paint I had left over in a spray can from something else (Dog knows what!). I sprayed it inside the chassis rail over the primer I put on in there. Looks kind of funky though!MarkyB wrote:Nice job!
What is the Blue stuff, seam sealer?
I do have a tin of seam sealer to go over the seams once I have finished them.
- Dryad
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Re: Chassis Leg Removal and Replacement
£918?!!! Was that for a full or half leg?whiteshark1967 wrote:well it cost me £918 in total at a well known repairer!
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Re: Chassis Leg Removal and Replacement
Sounds like an arm and a leg to me!
"Once you break something you will see how it was put together"