Front chassis legs & rust
Discussion
I think, but could be wrong that this is part of the chassis leg. What the front sub-frame bolts to.
It is a thick box section and I'm sure its open ended at the front of the car. They can rot inside out, especially if some of the drain holes along it are blocked.
Make sure the drains are clear and then consider spraying your choice of wax oil type product inside until it runs out of the drain holes.
I think some people have used old engine oil for this type of thing.
Look underneath the car and you’ll see them coming down either side of the headers.
Some cars seem to rust pretty badly on the insides next to the headers.
As above you can access them through the engine bay. I did mine with Dinitrol but I’m sure there are other products which do just as good a job for less money.
Some cars seem to rust pretty badly on the insides next to the headers.
As above you can access them through the engine bay. I did mine with Dinitrol but I’m sure there are other products which do just as good a job for less money.
Not the best picture, they typically go where the red cross is about an inch forward but I could not find and image of that bit.
This is taken from underneath where the chassis leg joins the bulkhead and floor pan. If there is a bulge in this area the rust is already between the layers of metal and it just a question of time before the outer layer perforates.
This is taken from underneath where the chassis leg joins the bulkhead and floor pan. If there is a bulge in this area the rust is already between the layers of metal and it just a question of time before the outer layer perforates.
marksx said:
So this is probably well on its way then..
What's the fix? If it's from the inside do you have to cut out and plate over?
Can’t really tell from the pictures, as I said in the previous post if there is a bulge where the red X is then there is corrosion between the layers, how bad it is you can’t really tell until the expanding rust makes the outer layer so thin it cracks. What's the fix? If it's from the inside do you have to cut out and plate over?
The answer if it is that bad is to cut it out and plated it over, looking at yours I think you might get away with just de rusting that and painting it. I would not advocate cutting it out until it is perforated and obviously in need of attention.
For prevention just make sure you lace the inside with plenty of Dinitrol ML cavity wax. Ultimately you want to stop the water getting between the layers from the inside as well.
The other place they are a bit dodgy is under the battery tray.
Don't worry, there's nothing that can't be fixed. I watch car SOS and some of what I've seen being repaired is unbelievable.
It might be that the area in question needs grinding to reveal the extent of the problem. Then metal being cut out and replaced in a new double skin arrangement.
Check out this repair on an old Cavalier rear chassis leg. A very similar issue I think...
It might be that the area in question needs grinding to reveal the extent of the problem. Then metal being cut out and replaced in a new double skin arrangement.
Check out this repair on an old Cavalier rear chassis leg. A very similar issue I think...
Got any pics?
Like I've said, I'm sure its repairable. That SOS bunch practically reconstructed an entire Merc on one show.
I'd start asking around locally for a person known to be a good welder, then take it for a quote.
This is what I've got happening on one of my front legs, the other side appears totally clean...
How does it compare?
Like I've said, I'm sure its repairable. That SOS bunch practically reconstructed an entire Merc on one show.
I'd start asking around locally for a person known to be a good welder, then take it for a quote.
This is what I've got happening on one of my front legs, the other side appears totally clean...
How does it compare?
If you find heavy corrosion don't mess about just cut it all out and get back to good sound steel. Yes, it's a pain, but if the rest of the car is good it's worth doing.
Look at it this way you can repair it properly, then rust proof it, you will end up with a better and longer lasting job than the factory ever did.
John
Look at it this way you can repair it properly, then rust proof it, you will end up with a better and longer lasting job than the factory ever did.
John
marksx said:
No I didn't spot it. That will teach me to view a car while I've a massive hangover and it's pissing down with rain!
Oh no gutted! We live n learn. My recent Monaro purchase as since revealed quite a few gremlins, I'm well on with sorting them all out though. I can't believe some of the things I over looked when viewing. I missed that bit of corrosion too, but that wouldn't have been a deal breaker. The sum total of issues I've found would have be though! Too late now and I'm kind of enjoying saving my car anyway.
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