Anyone Know a Good Welder in West Wilts?

Post by **PhilR** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:40 pm

Hi all,
First post and new to Minors!
I am considering the purchase of a 2-door saloon. It needs a small repair to the o/s front chassis leg (although a complete new section is with the car), the o/s outer sill panel needs letting in (new panel with the car) although 99% of the prep work has been done already. Finally, the boot corners need finishing and tidying where a new boot floor panel has already been fitted. I have seen the car and the rest of the welding has been done to a good standard so no further problems.
I'm trying to budget for the approx. cost of this work and to find out if there is someone local to me in West Wilts that could do the work properly and for a fair price.
I have no idea what the approx. cost should be. Does anyone have any idea as this will make or break the potential purchase!!
Thanks, Phil

Post by **polo2k** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:01 pm

is swindon west wilts? ;)
got any pics?

Post by **rob.hardy1** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:10 pm

No. its north wilts but not far away ( bleedin' northeners

)

Post by **PhilR** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:32 pm

polo2k wrote:is swindon west wilts? ;)
got any pics?

Haven't got any pics of the rear but it just needs small plate-work to close the gaps where the new floor section meets the rear inner wing and rear valance. It's just cosmetic and not structural as thats already been done. The hole in the front chassis rail is about 1 1/2" square just behind the tie rod bracket. I've had a good root around and the surrounding metal is really solid so wonder if a neat patch using part of the new rail section would be OK rather than replace the whole rail?
The outer sill (or lack of it) as it is at the moment is shown (hopefully) in the pic.<br>

<br>

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:15 pm

Near the tie-rod mount is critical for safety - I would advise fitting the complete new leg and NOT patching that area!

Post by **plastic_orange** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 12:08 am

A properly welded in patch would be fine assuming good steel to weld to.

Pete

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:35 am

But where there is a hole - there will not be 'good metal' nearby!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:00 am

The most crucial area on the chassis leg is around the suspension eyebolt - usually the inner structure is rotten before you see a hole on the outside.
Second to that area, any area of the chassis leg is important as the whole thing takes load. Chassis leg patches are therefore not ideal but if the rest of the leg really is solid, then it can be a viable repair. The problem is that the legs rot from the inside so you don't 'see' how bad they are. If it takes a good tap with a hammer without deforming, then the metal thickness is ok - if you get a hammer imprint in some areas then the metal is very thin and it's past it's use-by date.
Don't get me wrong - I've patched loads of chassis legs in my time, but my preference is to replace them. A patch is likely to extend the life of the leg but won't add much to it's strength - so really is just putting off the inevitable replacement.
If you can DIY, then it's less critical to do some short term repairs and do the major stuff later. If you're paying to have the work done, do you want to have it done twice?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:07 pm

But the area at the tie-bar link takes all th braking forces-in hard braking you don't want it to break away which would allow the wheel to slam back into the wheel arch, and the car into the ditch!

Post by **PhilR** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:48 pm

Thanks for all your replies. Does anyone know of someone who could do the work in my area and the approx. cost?