Chassis welding

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Webley1991

Well-Known Member

Posts

2,579

Location

London

• May 20, 2013

• #1

After stripping everything off the front end of my series 3 to change the bulkhead, I have found that the chassis needs attention in a few places.

Firstly, the driver's side outrigger has been bodged at some stage. The whole thing looks like it could do with replacing. The bulkhead mounting bolt is stuck in there anyway. The plate that attaches the side rails (is that the right word) to the bulkhead will also need replacing. Are there any tricks on aligning the replacement before welding it on?

Secondly, the cavity above both of the front spring hangers has corroded inside. I was told last year when it was MOT'd that these would need doing. The trouble is that is is difficult to get in there to cut the old ones out and weld some new plate in.

Finally, what purpose does this hole by the brake pipe connector actually serve? It is tempting to plate over it to keep the water out.

Cheers
Webley1991

 

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dominicbeesley

Well-Known Member

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1,701

Location

Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

• May 20, 2013

• #2

ah 'tis but a scratch....the hole's to let the rust out or in...

 

Blackburn

Well-Known Member

Posts

3,105

Location

Tyneside

• May 20, 2013

• #3

The hole is for the wiring harness which was threaded through the chassis when built.
Outrigger can be bought comes with an overlapping plate to allow welding to chassis rail.
Front dumbirons can also be bought to replace the front spring hanger complete.

 

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Webley1991

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2,579

Location

London

• May 24, 2013

• #4

I had a local welder come and look at this earlier.

He quoted £380 to weld a new outrigger on and weld some new plate into the front spring hangers.

The annoying thing is that we have mig welders at work. I have done some myself (with varying results). However they are three phase, and there is no three phase power at where I am working on the landy. Also, I doubt work would let me take one off site.

 

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ebbadger

Well-Known Member

Posts

1,518

Location

Twickenham, Middlesex

• May 24, 2013

• #5

Webley1991 said:

I had a local welder come and look at this earlier.

He quoted £380 to weld a new outrigger on and weld some new plate into the front spring hangers.

The annoying thing is that we have mig welders at work. I have done some myself (with varying results). However they are three phase, and there is no three phase power at where I am working on the landy. Also, I doubt work would let me take one off site.

Click to expand...

for £380 you could buy yourself a nice welder and do the job yourself... and still be left with a welder for the remasining jobs that will come up...

no brainer really...

cheers steve

 

waldershelf

Well-Known Member

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2,397

Location

In the hills north west of Sheffield

• May 24, 2013

• #6

Get your self a welder and give it a go. The little jobs you have on your S111 is a good place to start.

 

pressbrake

Well-Known Member

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1,696

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towie hell

• May 24, 2013

• #7

Im too cheap going by monkey mobile welder prices, and most cant weld

 

samc88

Drivels spiritual representative

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2,838

Location

Anglesey, North Wales

• May 25, 2013

• #8

As said, the hole is for the wiring harness. You could always fit a rubber bung or grommet type thing to keep the water out, that way if you ever want to rewire the vehicle you can take the rubber out and still pass the harness through.

 

mrchurchill109

Active Member

Posts

557

Location

Northeast US

• May 28, 2013

• #9

+1 on the get a welder and do it up!

One thing I strongly suggest though is to start with some plate of about LR chassis thickness and do some playing on that before you go for the chassis itself. It is very easy to get a pretty weld that has no strength with a gas or gasless MIG - and that you most definitely do not want in your chassis.

If you have a mate who's done welding before, get him to spend a few hours with you and watch over your shoulder as you go through the learning curve - a little "no, do it THIS way!" will save endless amounts of time as you gain competence.

Did that for some friends a little over a year ago now - 2 or 3 of them wanted to learn to weld, so I ran a 2-day course for them and taught them the basics. All of them came out of it with an apprecxiation of the subtleties and some very nice welding carts and jerry-can holders.

And as always - safety first. Do not skimp on the welding coat, helmet and such.

ajr

 

Blackburn

Well-Known Member

Posts

3,105

Location

Tyneside

• May 28, 2013

• #10

This site is well worth a look.
Welding - The DIY Guide
Give you an idea how to do the jobs.