What's in your Chassis Legs?

[gtt1951]

Whilst replacing the clutch and gear box (see other thread http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=51021)
I had to deal with "debris" in the chassis legs. The Driver's side contains the master brake cylinder and also had this in it[frame][/frame]I spooned out this lot and then, using a narrow nozzle on my "dirty work" vacuum cleaner, sucked out the remainder.
I also removed a smaller amount from the passenger side leg. This leg does not contain a master brake cylinder, but does have all the appropriate holes to fit such an item and also the clutch and brake pedal's shaft. My passenger leg has these covered up by what looks like "glued in" felt sheets[frame][/frame] which were coming away - see 2 pics below[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]
Is this the "standard" way of covering up the entry/exit holes? The sheets are on both sides of the leg and I have now used Aquaseal roofing felt overlap sealing mastic as a glue to stick them down (currently drying out with wood blocks holding the sheets against the metal).
What have others found in their legs?

[aupickup]

i had bitumen pads inside and outside of any holes

[bmcecosse]

The holes are there (partly) to allow ventilation and drainage ....I would NOT block them...

[aupickup]

the large holes are for left hand drive cars
the smaller half moon shape holes are for drainage and vents

[bmcecosse]

Of course - but ventilation is essentail - and LOTS of waxoyl. The traditional way of course was to pour in used engine oil....

[gtt1951]

The pads cover up big holes - I didn't see any half-moon shaped ones.
I'm assuming that drainage holes should be in the bottom part of the structure and not in the side walls?
I'd better check to see if I have any that haven't been covered up by the thick coat of underseal.
Thanks, George.

[aupickup]

yes half moon shape ones in the bottom of the chassis leg

[les]

The square bitumen pads, covering holes on the outside of the chassis leg sides at least, are factory fitments.

[taupe]

Yes and a bituminised felt U shape in the LH leg to mask the master cylinder holes as the original post.

Taupe

[gtt1951]

I've checked my chassis legs and there are no bitumen felt pad squares in the external sections, just the 2 long pads on the inside. There are "drainage" holes in both legs, towards the central cross member - they are round and located in the flat base panel. There are no "half moon" holes anywhere.
Please note that the chassis legs I have are replacement/repaired items when floor works were performed in 1999/2000, so may not have original drainage holes - certainly don't have married-up bolt access holes in the floor pan sections!
I've sprayed WaxOyl into both legs - below is a picture of the left one[frame][/frame]I've also dry fitted the gearbox tunnel and found which parts of the unit needed judicious "bending" to get the whole item to lie flat - shame that about 4 fixing points cannot be used. I've rubbed down and primer coated the gearbox gaiter retainer - when I dismantled the original components a couple of days ago, was astounded to find that there were 2 retainers mounted one on top of the other! Could be why the whole fitment didn't screw down through the tunnel carpet properly. Tomorrow (Thursday) I'll be paintimg the retainer with Humbrol matt black enamel paint.
I'm assuming that the order of component fitting is
(1) Gearbox tunnel
(2) Rubber gaiter stretched over the tunnel gear-lever opening
(3) tunnel carpet
(4) gaiter retainer screwed through the carpet and the gaiter holes, into the metal tunnel.

If the order is wrong, then please let me know.

[aupickup]

sounds about right
if there are no drain holes in the chassis leg it might be wise to drill a few holes in the bottom section

[MarkyB]

On my car both the rubber gaiter and the metal retainer are above the carpet, I think this is the normal arrangement.

[aupickup]

yes was not thinking rubber gaiter above carpet

[gtt1951]

Well, the carpets are back in. Note - if you put the gaiter and retainer on top of the carpet, then the carpet is exposed to any fluids that may splash up - oil, road water etc.
I've located the gaiter onto the tunnel (it stretches over the lip of the opening). Because someone, in the past, had used oversized fixing screws, the correct ones are too narrow for some of the holes.
Looks like the correct order is tunnel, gaiter, carpet, retainer, but as the screws are also too short to go in, in this order, I've had to fit it like this - tunnel, gaiter, gaiter retainer, carpet. I forgot to take a picture last night and now the car cover is back on as it is raining here in Farnborough.

[les]

Why not simply use longer screws? You have mentioned the correct order to make a neat job, now you've got a carpet that floats around on top.

[gtt1951]

Les, you are right. I will get longer and slightly wider self tappers. The tunnel carpet actually sits quite well over the retainer and protruding gaiter, as I have tucked under the raw edges.
Thanks, George.

[les]

I think you would be better doing that.

[gtt1951]

Until I get the bigger screws, this is what it currently looks like[frame][/frame]

[les]

If you're happy with it, by all means leave it, it's a personal choice, being your car. I imagine the surround was originally on top as it covers any ragged carpet edges.

[gtt1951]

Yes - and this car came with 2 surrounds one inside the other!