Tin Worm

[solarman216]

Well for those that may remember I had some welding done a while ago as I was not able to do it myself, (back problems) today I felt a little roughness when accelerating in 2nd, decided to have a look round when I got home, but reversed up hill a bit and heard a clonk, had a quick look and the cross member had torn free of the under-slung bracket, the tube was captive but loose, nice steady drive home 4 miles, decided the only way forward is to remove the complete section from my scrap chassis and weld it into my road car, it is not as bad a job as it sounds, 45 mins and I almost got the one cut from the scrapper when the small genny I was using ran out of petrol, (no power in this part of the yard), will weld it in tomorrow and hopefully supply some pics, Rick

 

[solarman216]

Well, job sorted, spent best part of the day on it but pleased with the results, this is the member I removed from my motor before it fell out.

 

[solarman216]

and this is where it came from.

 

[solarman216]

and near side.

 

[solarman216]

The donor part.

 

[solarman216]

welded in, good as new. Rick

 

[TONUP]

I wish I could weld

Can you tell me what type welding system you used for this repair I.e. Arc, mig etc?

I am seriously thinking about trying to learn.

Thanks

Alan

 

[solarman216]

I got a lovely little 170 amp mig from Ebay was not expensive, and I use argo shield light, F size bottle, think it is about £70 per year rent and about the same for a refill, I do a reasonable amount of welding a bottle probably lasts a year, you can buy small throw away bottles but they do not last five mins and expensive long term, and it is far too frustrating to nearly finish a job and run out just as the shops shut.

 

[Terranical]

welded in, good as new. Rick

Can just imagine 2000 club members, including me, out checking their rear cross-members now - nice one Rick, greatly appreciated.
Bruce

 

[solarman216]

not the best weld but got good penetration as there was a purpose made 2 mm gap all round, but other conditions were less than ideal, I find it hard to be steady when kneeling down and leaning sideways to see under the wheel arch, thats my excuse anyway, Rick

 

[solarman216]

Sorry just found out the pic did not load, so here it is, Rick

 

[stinka]

Thats pretty decent surgery mate, wish i could weld !

Gonna have a crack at my rock sliders when i get my hands on some cheap box section

 

[TONUP]

I got a lovely little 170 amp mig from Ebay was not expensive, and I use argo shield light, F size bottle, think it is about £70 per year rent and about the same for a refill, I do a reasonable amount of welding a bottle probably lasts a year, you can buy small throw away bottles but they do not last five mins and expensive long term, and it is far too frustrating to nearly finish a job and run out just as the shops shut.

Thanks for the info. I'll start looking around for one I think. Maybe a second hand one, and some scrap to practice on. What harm can there be in it!

Alan