In at the deep end...

[v-lux]

Same same

Gutted mate, it'll be worse behind the panel......

[v-lux]

Good god, Darren just sent me a pic of the near side rear wheel arch. Its any wonder the trailing arm was still attached.

We knew that the jacking points needed attention as some corrosion and small holes were visible but had no idea that this was as bad as it is. It really is quite terrifying what can be lurking beneath areas that look totally fine, all that was visible in there was underseal really (and a bit of mud of course...its a common theme of the texts im getting from Darren, i think the van will probably be half a ton lighter when it returns). We knew that the jacking points needed attention as some corrosion and small holes were visible from underneath, but the extent of it is amazing.....

[jebiga41]

Same same

The same as what mine looked like

[max and caddy]

Even with all that Crustiness round the jack point bracket it will take some getting off! Did mine and ended up using a nine inch angle grinder to loosen it!



All good stuff tho.

[..lee..]

Gearbox then body work. I know exactly how you feel. But in reverse.

[v-lux]

Gearbox then body work. I know exactly how you feel. But in reverse.

I feel raped....

[HarryMann]

Quite normal Al, until you get the trailing arm removed you won't realise how thin the arm's mouting forks have become, the inner of the outermost pair, often being corroded to wafer thin under and behind the bolt slot (due to water being retained between rubber bush and fork plate)

The factory underseal in that rear cross member region is to a large extent responsible for not only concealing the ongoing corrosion, but creating the conditions for it (not letting any water penetration back out),, and it's 'orrible stuff to remove, I use a modified wood chisel to lierally carve it off

What has he said about the bottom of the rear cross-member itself... ?

Wiki has a few educational pics





Dropped the tank yet

[v-lux]

What has he said about the bottom of the rear cross-member itself... ?

There's going to be a very similar repair going on to what you have shown in your pic Clive. The only visible hole was in the bottom of the cross member just near the jacking point.

Its all making me seriously glad i chose to get all this done when i have, any longer and goodness only knows what it would have been like!

[HarryMann]

Yup, into mine now in quite a big way... Ohh Er

Make sure its all cleaned out and Dinitroled (3125) afterwards, when nice and dry, else it'll be rusting faster than ever after welding

Tank can be dropped a bit without removing enough to repair the straps (piccies coming) and de-rust above and behind without fully disconneting removing, if you're going that far...

[jes*b]

Group hug? This could become a really gorey thread. All part of the fun and games tho. Paul do you have pics of the slider end repair?

[jebiga41]

No have n't got that far yet only just cleaned up the area as of yet will post some pics when back down there next week

[HarryMann]

Just used Ashley's home-made tooling to fit new bushes to my trailing arms today very easily and succesfully.

Abs brill, worth their weight in platinum!

[syncropaddy]

Just used Ashley's home-made tooling to fit new bushes to my trailing arms

I have a vision as to how I would make one of those but do you have a piccy?

[HarryMann]

Yes Andrew, but I am minded to ask Ashley before publishing such sensitive images

[alewing]

Clive, you are more than welcome to share pictures and if you wish to publish on the wiki the 'how to' document I produced for you, that would make me very happy.
Very glad it worked as well for you as it did me.
Andrew, more than welcome to copy, but I do have some improvements to add which I'll happily share