Well, as many may know, I have recently discovered that my lower radiator cross member has finally succumbed to the dreaded tin worm.

Hopefully, this is day one of my journey to successfully repairing it with a suitable replacement.

Wish me luck, I think I will need it.

 

So, today I started the dismantling of the front end, and within a couple of hours I had removed the front bumper etc'

This was done on the driveway, and I hope to complete the rest of the work in the garage, hopefully.

 

I have reached the point where I am unfamiliar with most of the critical items that now stand in my way, and would seriously appreciate some advice as to how I should proceed.

 

First question/concern that springs to mind is... Can I continue successfully with the car being in the garage?

The last thing I want to do is get half way through the strip down only to find that I do not have the correct access.

The car is drivable at the moment, but once I start taking various parts off she will become immobile.

 

Your help and advise would be very much appreciated.

 

Please see photo's attached...

Edited May 29, 20169 yr by redwine300

Maybe you should have considered STELLA300 instead of redwine300 as a user name? Great work mate, the nice part of the job is now about to start by making it all look pretty again :thumbup1:

 

Mmmmm STELLA300? now there's a thought. :lol:

As you say, it is a good turning point when things start to look nice again, only thing is I find myself getting impatient.

I have to check myself sometimes and make sure I do not cut any corners.

Again, great minds think alike Russ, I love the Bilthamber products.

Thanks for the compliments guys, it helps keep me going.

 

Anyway Russ, suspension parts? where are the pictures?

 

Here........ http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?182342-Veilside-s-work-in-progress&p=1920204&viewfull=1#post1920204

Here........ http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?182342-Veilside-s-work-in-progress&p=1920204&viewfull=1#post1920204

 

Sorry Russ, missed that part of your thread.

Looking good by the way.

Nothing too exciting I'm afraid, just trying to clean up the mating faces.

Tedious or what!

 

Perhaps, but the satisfaction of having a nice new crossmember rather than a "cut and shut" makes it all worth while.

Perhaps, but the satisfaction of having a nice new crossmember rather than a "cut and shut" makes it all worth while.

 

Very true Andrew. :thumbup1:

First coat of 90% Zinc primer on the one side so far, admittedly not the neatest of jobs, what with the over spray. :blushing:

My initial aim is to secure the area in readiness for fitting the new cross member, precision has taken a back seat I'm afraid. :oops:

Something I can always rectify at a later date I guess.

Decided I would go back to bare metal as I do not have 100% confidence in the OEM primer.

Once bare, I will acid etch prime, followed by a couple of 90% Zinc coats so as to add as much protection as possible.

Once that has completely cured, I will spray the thing white.

Progress stalled a little today, only managed to get a bit of white paint down on one side.

I hate the over spray mind. :cursing:

Still, it's the structural integrity that matters most. (well that's what I keep telling myself.) :blush::whistling:

Hopefully I will have the crossmember fully shot blasted tomorrow, then things will move a bit quicker.

Little confused as to why you painted before fitting the cross member mate...........:ninja:

Decided I would go back to bare metal as I do not have 100% confidence in the OEM primer.

Once bare, I will acid etch prime, followed by a couple of 90% Zinc coats so as to add as much protection as possible.

Once that has completely cured, I will spray the thing white.

 

Be sure the inside gets some good protection too, I would think that's where the corrosion problem begins, once it's all welded in get inside with some good quality cavity wax, I used dinitrol on my zed :thumbup1:

Little confused as to why you painted before fitting the cross member mate...........:ninja:

 

I know what you mean MantaV8, I just wanted to add extra protection to the hidden areas once the cross member is in place.

Over kill I guess.

Be sure the inside gets some good protection too, I would think that's where the corrosion problem begins, once it's all welded in get inside with some good quality cavity wax, I used dinitrol on my zed :thumbup1:

 

Cheers mate, good advice.

I have heard very good things about Dinitrol, but ended up with Bilthamber.

I will make sure I get to all those inner areas as you suggest.

I know what you mean MantaV8, I just wanted to add extra protection to the hidden areas once the cross member is in place.

Over kill I guess.

 

I know what what you mean, trouble is you now have to clean it off again to weld.

I know what what you mean, trouble is you now have to clean it off again to weld.

 

Good Point mate.:thumbup1:

 

My plan though, is to follow the same route as I did when I replaced my front and rear sills.

I will position the crossmember and scribe through the pre drilled holes, once that is done, I will remove the crossmember and locally grind back to bare metal where I need to weld.

Not saying that this is the best way by any means, and it may be a bit long winded, It's just something I have adopted along the way.

To be honest, I am just making it up as I go along.

Well, after what felt like a week in the Sahara Desert, I finally had the thing grit blasted on all external surfaces. (well almost all)

I left the mating and internal faces alone as they will not be as exposed.

My next step will be to Acid Etch prime followed by a couple of layers of 90% Zinc.

Edited June 20, 20169 yr by redwine300

Should have had it Galvanised Lol!-be pretty indestructible then.:laugh:

Should have had it Galvanised Lol!-be pretty indestructible then.:laugh:

 

I was very tempted, :lol: went with 2 coats of 90% Zinc instead.

Made a start drilling out the holes for the plug welds, not too fussy with position, but did reference them to the originals.

Just started to get the hang of it and my damn battery went flat.

Finally, that's all the plug welds drilled out.

Time to get welding!

Time to get welding!

 

Very true Andrew.

 

My plan is to finish the spray painting tonight once I have completed a final fit, some of the flanges etc' will need tweaking so that everything fits snug.

I am aiming to get it all ready for welding over the weekend.

Is it on yet?..............:tongue_smilie:

Hurry up........ it's like a book you just can't put down and waiting for the next in the series to see what happens.......lol

Looking great so far as I was expecting it to be.....:thumbup:

Everything rots from the inside so allthough your going mental on the protection of this member its all in vain...get it welded in and put 2 cans of spray on grease inside the section and its going to last another 25 years.:yes: summers going to be over while your trying to stop it rotting:rofl::rofl::)

Is it on yet?..............:tongue_smilie:

 

Not quite, had a bit of a set back.

Faulty spot welds on the new crossmember! not happy.

Had to make a repair to 5 of them, sure there was visible evidence of a weld, but the 2 faces were not joined at all.

When I drilled them for plug welding, you could still see the black paint between the joints.

Anyway, after repairing them, I then wrested with fitting the crossmember until I gave up.

Just can not get the bolts to line up with tie bar. At least half a hole out!