Rotten front cross member

Just had an MOT on my 1997 300tdi and it failed due to holes in the front cross member. One of the holes is close the junction with the chassis side. The guy who does the welding there hasn't seen it yet, but to me it looks like it will require a new crossmember. Anyone had the same issues or any ideas re the prognosis? Can't find one on the internet if it requires replacement either!
An update if anyone ever has a similar issue. Basically you can't get one. I contacted JLR classic parts and they say there is no replacement as it's part of the chassis. No aftermarket companies do one either. So it will be a welding job. It doesn't do that much tbh and it's pretty thin steel. It's just a spacer really as the bumper will be more of a support than that will ever be. So there we are!

You can buy a front chassis section with dumb irons and crossmember.
Can't remember the company but you will find it on Ebay.

See what the welder says.
Do you need the car? if so get it patched, it then gives you time to make a plan for a proper repair.
If you dont need it then its your choice.

Its very likely the welder guy will find more when he starts tapping away with his hammer.

J

Anaconda said:

LANDROVER DEFENDER 90/110 TDI/TD5 FRONT 1/4 CHASSIS | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for LANDROVER DEFENDER 90/110 TDI/TD5 FRONT 1/4 CHASSIS at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Click to expand...

They look pretty good.
Need to remember that the VIN number would disappear if 1 of them was used.

J

marjon said:

They look pretty good.
Need to remember that the VIN number would disappear if 1 of them was used.

J

Click to expand...

That's the downside I guess. Keep the old part and lots of photos.

I had the front 1/4 chassis replaced on my 90 two years ago. The front crossmember had been patched a couple of years previously but when I went to replace the front bumper, the front chassis legs were worse than I’d thought. Be prepared for the rust to be more extensive than you first think.

I think the chassis section was made by RCP from memory and was around £350.

Anaconda said:

You can buy a front chassis section with dumb irons and crossmember.
Can't remember the company but you will find it on Ebay.

Click to expand...

Thanks for that, but that would be a huge undertaking. I contacted JLR and they said there is no replacement for it. Looks like a fabrication and welding job to me. I don't think the member is that structural anyway as the bumber will be far more of a support than that thin tin box section. Mine bumper being a huge one, quite deep with a winch. I have a welder going to the MOT place Monday and he'll be having a look at it. Regards.

Knappster said:

I had the front 1/4 chassis replaced on my 90 two years ago. The front crossmember had been patched a couple of years previously but when I went to replace the front bumper, the front chassis legs were worse than I’d thought. Be prepared for the rust to be more extensive than you first think.

I think the chassis section was made by RCP from memory and was around £350.

Click to expand...

Thanks for that. Just found it, but let's hope the welder can get away with a patch up.

lrmonks said:

Thanks for that, but that would be a huge undertaking. I contacted JLR and they said there is no replacement for it. Looks like a fabrication and welding job to me. I don't think the member is that structural anyway as the bumber will be far more of a support than that thin tin box section. Mine bumper being a huge one, quite deep with a winch. I have a welder going to the MOT place Monday and he'll be having a look at it. Regards.

Click to expand...

A strong bumper doesn't compensate for a rusty chassis. I know it's a Series but it had a good bumper, well, it did until I pulled it off.

It hasn't got a rusty chassis. It's just the front member just has a few holes in it. What I am saying is the bumper I have is huge and makes up easily for that front box section under the rad. Evenas it is it is very strong. Maybe the heading sounded too dramatic.

Just plate over the top of it then, or cut it out and plate it properly.
Title did sound dramatic.