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SimonM

New Member
Having recently bought a Freelander with 166k miles on it and no record of the VCU having been changed, and with a vague feeling that it might be a bit tight (one wheel up test, reversing on full lock), I thought that I'd whip the old one off and get it checked out.

All went well, except that I found this when I was under there :eek:

So - Does anyone have a spare fuel tank cradle or know where I can get one? As I last resort I can use even a rusty one as a pattern to get one made I suppose...
photo_zps7df30e62.jpg
 
Hi , thats in a state , been covered , do a search , this part was discontinued , then renstated , because of the rot !
 
Ian jones said:
Hi , thats in a state , been covered , do a search , this part was discontinued , then renstated , because of the rot !
Click to expand...

Hi, I did a search but it seemed to suggest that I'm going to parted from the best part of £300 IF I can find a new one anywhere!

Going to try the breakers to see if I can find a reasonable used one...

Has anyone successfully made their own replacement? There's a metal Fabricators down the road who I'm sure could make me one up... if I knew the dimensions...
 
SimonM said:
Hi, I did a search but it seemed to suggest that I'm going to parted from the best part of £300 IF I can find a new one anywhere!

Going to try the breakers to see if I can find a reasonable used one...

Has anyone successfully made their own replacement? There's a metal Fabricators down the road who I'm sure could make me one up... if I knew the dimensions...
Click to expand...

where abouts are you based? looks easy enough to make up!
 
I'd love to know who came up with that design! PITA!
Can be done, but at a one off, would be expensive if you wanted same design, may be worth just speaking to the stealers
 
Thanks everyone - will see if I can find a better 2nd hand one. Might also phone the stealers for a laugh later...

The guy on eBay wanted £200 for that one!
 
Hopefully I've now found one from a breakers for £70 - should be with me in a day or so.

Hmmm... maybe I should buy another one, give it a coat of galv paint and stick it on eBay for £200
:scratching_chin:
 
SimonM said:
Hopefully I've now found one from a breakers for £70 - should be with me in a day or so.

Hmmm... maybe I should buy another one, give it a coat of galv paint and stick it on eBay for £200
:scratching_chin:
Click to expand...
Have a go at repairing the old one !
 
Well the cradle that I paid for last week still hasn't turned up. Phoned the breaker and he said that there was a problem with it when it came off of the car so they didn't send it - nice of them to let me know! They still have my money but will be crediting it back to me tomorrow...

So I still need a cradle unfortunately. Went into the local dealer and they can get me a new one for £305, or there's still one on eBay for £200. Still a bit more than I wanted to pay though, so will keep looking for a used one :(
 
I'm sure there a metal basher on ere who can weld metal and make us some nice new fool tank cradles. They could copy the old ones and make em new. Nice little project for someone on ere. One of the tratterers praps?
 
Update - I may have found an alternative used one at my loocal breakers. They're going to take it off of the car at the weekend and I should be able to pick it up on Monday.

Still no refund from the first one though...
 
Mine was in for MOT a week gone Monday , it passed no probs :) however the sunday before I thought id best have a look at the cradle , just as well I did as there were two splits in the tubular frame , running lenthways at the bends , I reckon water is getting inside through the air hole each side :eek: I spent 3 hours repairing the damage and painting the cradle with rust beater , sorry about the colour :D I will spray some waxoyl in the breather holes when I get a minute .It would of failed on this , I will have to keep an eye on it !
 

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Hippo said:
Ian, what products did you use to coat it?
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Hello hippo , I just used hammerite no1 rust beater 3 in 1 paint , kills rust , primes and undercoats , did it last year with the same , but brown:D , which saved the cradles externals , however did not expect rust from internals :eek: as you mentioned something could be fabricated to hold the fueltank in place , This important part should have been galvanised from the start ,
 
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