Series 3 quarter chassis replacement

Georgeblade · Mar 22, 2018

Hi, I live in the Bristol/Bath area an wondered if anyone would recommend someone local with experience of replacing the rear cross member on a S3 who is reliable.
I will probably go to the rear quarter - just not confident enough with a welder to do it myself.

Thanks

Jimsky Korsokov · Mar 22, 2018

If you are confident with sourcing the part and cutting out the old one so all you need is for a man with a welder to turn up and run the welds on the new section clamped into place you can save a lot of money (lots on youtube on howto). I did this and the mobile welding man quoted £120. It would have been a better experience if removing the tow hitch and dropping the fuel tank out wasn't such a pig of a job and the whether wasn't so cold - on balance though better than forking out £800 (only just) and of course you can do some chassis tidying up whilst all the bits are out.

rob1miles · Mar 22, 2018

seconded, there's a big saving in doing the prep yourself and if you use a mobile welder you can do it all at home which means you can take time to clean up the weld areas and jig the new section into the right place. I've seen several where the new section has been welded out of true and there's not really anything you can do once that's happend so its worth spending time lining it all up. In my expreince welding done by repair shops can be very varieble compared to professional welders who always get a nice weld. I take my Series to a local fabricator rather than a garage.

Georgeblade · Mar 22, 2018

Many thanks Jimsky and Rob. A question tho' how do they get on welding over the top of the chassis section with the tub still in place?

Jimsky Korsokov · Mar 22, 2018

They seem to manage. I did a short arm replacement rather than the full 1/4 (means you don’t have to touch the electrics). In my 90 TD5 a previous owner had cut a hole in the tub over the fuel sender - presumably to replace it without dropping the tank - this hole provided great access for me. Not sure on 1/4 chassis but there’s some good close up stuff on YouTube.

Georgeblade · Mar 23, 2018

Cheers me dears.
I know a very good fabricator locally - just need to convince him to do it (he usually makes gates).

suburban · Mar 24, 2018

https://www.aandd4x4.co.uk/

excellent chap did me an lpg system years ago, near sidcot

Georgeblade · Mar 25, 2018

Many thanks Suburban - checked out their website - I will give them a call tomorrow.

flat · Mar 25, 2018

rob1miles said:
seconded, there's a big saving in doing the prep yourself and if you use a mobile welder you can do it all at home which means you can take time to clean up the weld areas and jig the new section into the right place. I've seen several where the new section has been welded out of true and there's not really anything you can do once that's happend so its worth spending time lining it all up. In my expreince welding done by repair shops can be very varieble compared to professional welders who always get a nice weld. I take my Series to a local fabricator rather than a garage.

Good advice to the fabricator - most garages round my way are mechanics who can weld, but a fabricator is in a whole different league

Series 3 quarter chassis replacement

Georgeblade

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Jimsky Korsokov

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rob1miles

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Georgeblade

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Jimsky Korsokov

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Georgeblade

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suburban

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Georgeblade

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flat

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