Just before going for a quick spin, I thought I would just check a couple of things like exhaust mountings, break lines etc'

Lucky I did, I discovered that my front cross member has collapsed on the front near side due to corrosion!

I cant believe how bad it looks, so gutted to say the least!

Looks like a very difficult job to me, so distraught at the moment.

 

Especially with the Coventry meet just around the corner and my MOT in a months time!

 

I could really do with some experienced advise as to how to approach this one, I am worried that it could be the end of the car.

Please see pictures below, 3 of the near side and 1 of the far side.

I know I am being cheeky, but could you take a couple of pictures in situ please, especially where the crossmember meets with the wheel arch.

Just want to familiarise myself with how it all fits together, spot welds etc'

 

Thanks in advance mate.

Is it finished yet?........................:ph34r::biggrin:

Is it finished yet?........................:ph34r::biggrin:

 

:lol::lol::lol:

 

I hope to make a start stripping her down this weekend.

Guess I should post my progress as I go? if it will be of interest.

Of corse it will be of interest.

Cor, he don't want too much does he lads? Lmfao..

Only kidding red.. I'm stripping the Intercoolers and air con rad out tomorrow so I will give it a jet wash and see what photos I can get in situ mate..

If you pm me your mobile number I can send them through whatsapp if you like or fb messenger..

I was looking at it today whilst stripping a wing off and it has a little surface rust on one side but has only lifted a little paint. It's solid though, I gave it a good tap with my Mot hammer and it all went donk donk not crunch crunch so it's a good sign lol :smash:

Cor, he don't want too much does he lads? Lmfao..

Only kidding red.. I'm stripping the Intercoolers and air con rad out tomorrow so I will give it a jet wash and see what photos I can get in situ mate..

If you pm me your mobile number I can send them through whatsapp if you like or fb messenger..

I was looking at it today whilst stripping a wing off and it has a little surface rust on one side but has only lifted a little paint. It's solid though, I gave it a good tap with my Mot hammer and it all went donk donk not crunch crunch so it's a good sign lol :smash:

 

:blush: sounds promising mate.

Once it is in a position to be cut out, I am still happy to come and do the cutting mate, it's the least I can do.

You will have to let me know which weekend suits you.

As for my mobile no' I'll pm it to you, I'll have to get my daughter sort me out with whatsapp mind. :lol::lol:

Mind you, I am on face book.

 

Thanks again mate.

The cutting ain't a problem red.. I love a bit of grinding whenever I get a chance and to be honest I don't get the chance very often! I get a strange sense of pleasure out of standing in a rain of sparks amidst the deconstruction of an object... Not sure what that says about me really but hey? We all have our own little quirky pleasures lol.

 

Plus my grinder hasn't seen any action in a few years so it'll be nice to get it to work on something.

I'm on Facebook too, so if you add me ( Paul miyagi Liff) I can ping you photos instantly.. It's also easier to message things through than here as I get the messages quicker through Facebook due to my email server not liking my phone too much.

What I'll do is chalk a line round the area I'm going to cut and put a photo up. If one of the more knowledgeable people here can confirm if it's correct, then I'll chop it..

I'm planning to take quite a wide area around it away with it so there's no mistakes. It can then just be ground away to the rear of the spot welds until it seperates naturally in to the piece required.

I'm assuming you'd need to do the opposite and grind away from the panel you're replacing to leave the skin intact for re welding it back in place.

Anyways, add me on Facebook red and I'll keep you posted on the progress mate.

 

Got a busy weekend of stripping to do aswell as boxing up goodies for people etc.. The panel required should be fully revealed by tomorrow evening so I'll get you a picture when I can.

I love a bit of grinding whenever I get a chance.

 

I'm sure the wife loves it [emoji38]

I'm sure the wife loves it [emoji38]

 

I wouldn't know mate, I try and avoid her as much as possible these days, that's why I work nights lol..

Depending on how it's attached it would be worth looking at drilling out the spot welds rather than grinding the replacement crossmember. Ready made holes for plug welding and less damage to the structure. Different on Redwines car best grinding so you dont have to fill any holes in.

Hi Rob,

 

I think that the dona part will be supplied with some of the excess inner arch still attached, that way I can carefully drill out the existing spot welds.

Good point about removing mine with regards to grinding the spot welds as opposed to drilling them, as you say, no drilled holes to account for should I accidentally drill through.

 

Nice tip.

 

Cheers,

Rob, these are the pages from the FSM which cover the alignment measurements for the engine compartment including

those for the lower radiator support. These will help when you are setting up for welding the replacement part in.

 

bf-62.pdf

Thanks Andrew,

 

Looks like I will have to take plenty of reference dimensions prior to cutting the original out.

In a strange way, I am looking forward to this repair.

I remember the trouble I had to got to when fitting new inner and outer sills etc', getting the shut lines and door gaps within spec was a nightmare.

We could always just cut the whole front end off and weld this one on? Lol