Shifty1962
Well-Known Member
Just wanted to share my experience regarding replacing the rear crossmember on my 1998 TD5 90 CSW.
Whilst picking at what looked like a little flaky paint I suddenly found myself poking holes in the rear crossmember. The more I poked the worse it got. I considered plating it with my trusty Sealy MIG welder but as I tow heavy trailer loads on a regular basis it seemed sensible to get it repaired properly before the rot spread to the chassis rails and further.
A quick call to Pressbrake aka Clive at Black Sheep Offroad Home and I was soon on my way over to get the job done. For some reason his PMs dont work so if you need to contact him call the number on his web site.
Some time ago I had spent an hour or so carefully drilling out the rivets and spot welds that held the rear floor in place and this made removing the fuel tank a doddle. It also meant that we could easily get full access to weld the new crossmember in place. Clive wasted no time in cutting away the old crossmember and we quickly saw that the tin worm had not yet penetrated to the chassis rails which was reassuring. They were however full of mud and silt that had got in the various holes that LR include in the chassis rails for reasons unknown. A quick blast with the air line soon sorted that. I also took the opportunity to paint the insides of the rails with red oxide zinc primer. Before you all start shouting I know some of it will have burnt off during welding but not all.
Starting at 8am we had the job done by 8pm including talking bollox and drinking many cups of tea.
Clive uses 6mm steel to form the crossmember that he cuts, bends, and welds on site to order. In comparrison the standard crossmember was made from 2mm steel so there are no worries regarding strength. Also Clive's design does not build in mud and water traps for rust to take hold.
He has all the tools to do the job some of which are quite exotic like the amazing plasma cutter that cuts through thick steel like a hot knife through butter. I've got to get me one of them when I can afford one.
You could not hope to meet a nicer bloke and his welding is second to none. I swear he could weld wood to water if necessary. He knows all about LR chassis and their inherent faults so dont be worrying that he will ruin your motor.
BTW I'm not on commission but I do believe in spreading the word when I find sombody that can do what they say they can for a sensible price.
I've posted a few pics for those of you that like that kind of thing.
Cheers
Shifty
Whilst picking at what looked like a little flaky paint I suddenly found myself poking holes in the rear crossmember. The more I poked the worse it got. I considered plating it with my trusty Sealy MIG welder but as I tow heavy trailer loads on a regular basis it seemed sensible to get it repaired properly before the rot spread to the chassis rails and further.
A quick call to Pressbrake aka Clive at Black Sheep Offroad Home and I was soon on my way over to get the job done. For some reason his PMs dont work so if you need to contact him call the number on his web site.
Some time ago I had spent an hour or so carefully drilling out the rivets and spot welds that held the rear floor in place and this made removing the fuel tank a doddle. It also meant that we could easily get full access to weld the new crossmember in place. Clive wasted no time in cutting away the old crossmember and we quickly saw that the tin worm had not yet penetrated to the chassis rails which was reassuring. They were however full of mud and silt that had got in the various holes that LR include in the chassis rails for reasons unknown. A quick blast with the air line soon sorted that. I also took the opportunity to paint the insides of the rails with red oxide zinc primer. Before you all start shouting I know some of it will have burnt off during welding but not all.
Starting at 8am we had the job done by 8pm including talking bollox and drinking many cups of tea.
Clive uses 6mm steel to form the crossmember that he cuts, bends, and welds on site to order. In comparrison the standard crossmember was made from 2mm steel so there are no worries regarding strength. Also Clive's design does not build in mud and water traps for rust to take hold.
He has all the tools to do the job some of which are quite exotic like the amazing plasma cutter that cuts through thick steel like a hot knife through butter. I've got to get me one of them when I can afford one.
You could not hope to meet a nicer bloke and his welding is second to none. I swear he could weld wood to water if necessary. He knows all about LR chassis and their inherent faults so dont be worrying that he will ruin your motor.
BTW I'm not on commission but I do believe in spreading the word when I find sombody that can do what they say they can for a sensible price.
I've posted a few pics for those of you that like that kind of thing.
Cheers
Shifty
Attachments
Last edited:
