Hate to be the bearer of bad news..... but thats bad.
it all rots and often from the inside out.
I've finished welding my chassis now after having found some visible bits nearly as bad as yours. In all honesty, a sensible person would have scrapped the chassis. Those holes you've got are big and spread. If you think that the rot ends at the edges of those holes you're quite wrong.
If you want to fix the chassis, buy a big sheet of 2.5mm and another 3.5mm steel plate. Book some time off work and fire up the Mig.
A photo log of my efforts at the chassis centre section are here:
Chassis Centre Section
But to answer your question 'can I weld a plate over the hole?' ..... well that depends on what lies underneath the remaining paint..... personally I think you ought to start saving for a galv chassis.
PS - and from the photo it looks like the top surface of the chassis has rotted out too.
it all rots and often from the inside out.
I've finished welding my chassis now after having found some visible bits nearly as bad as yours. In all honesty, a sensible person would have scrapped the chassis. Those holes you've got are big and spread. If you think that the rot ends at the edges of those holes you're quite wrong.
If you want to fix the chassis, buy a big sheet of 2.5mm and another 3.5mm steel plate. Book some time off work and fire up the Mig.
A photo log of my efforts at the chassis centre section are here:
Chassis Centre Section
But to answer your question 'can I weld a plate over the hole?' ..... well that depends on what lies underneath the remaining paint..... personally I think you ought to start saving for a galv chassis.
PS - and from the photo it looks like the top surface of the chassis has rotted out too.
discomania
Well-Known Member
Beneagles, I think to be honest to do that properly you need to take the tub off and fully asses this. It's pretty bad looking and it's a pretty important crossmember as it holds the A-frame.
Tub off probably sounds like a real pain but to be honest it will make things so much easier, I would be tempted if it was mine (and I wanted to save it) to cut out the whole crossmember and large sections of the rotten chassis and replace the lot. If you call Richards chassis or someone like them they may even sell you the crossmember section if it isn't already available as a section to buy anyway.
Nice repair work there ARC.
I notice you have fully seam welded along the bottom of the crossmember to the top of the chassis rail so water and muck can't just run down under the metal work, terrible design I think, BUT I guess it also stops a water pocket? I am looking at that thinking maybe I should clean mine up, weld it, then put a 12mm drain hole either side?!?!
Tub off probably sounds like a real pain but to be honest it will make things so much easier, I would be tempted if it was mine (and I wanted to save it) to cut out the whole crossmember and large sections of the rotten chassis and replace the lot. If you call Richards chassis or someone like them they may even sell you the crossmember section if it isn't already available as a section to buy anyway.
Nice repair work there ARC.
I notice you have fully seam welded along the bottom of the crossmember to the top of the chassis rail so water and muck can't just run down under the metal work, terrible design I think, BUT I guess it also stops a water pocket? I am looking at that thinking maybe I should clean mine up, weld it, then put a 12mm drain hole either side?!?!
Yes... had come to that conclusion... just not sure a) how to go about it, b) if i have the ability to do so in a way that it will go back on, and c) the space/facilities in which to do it. Will have a look when the rain stops...
RAGNAR BENSON
New Member
Is that currently in use? I mean, has that chassis been passing MOTs?
No... has been used in fields and such as a work vehicle for the last 3 years. Took it for mot last year to get an idea of what I needed to do to get it roadworthy - that flagged up the two outriggers just forward of there. Rest was well plastered over with waxoyl and such. Was while removing outriggers that this was uncovered. This does seem to be the only area of concern...just a shame it is a major one!
