crossmember

[deano69]

Got sent some pics of a MM im interested in buying and i've not seen a crossmember with the curvy bits before(please see pic), certainly not on any of the three ive owned.Is this cos its in better nick, a replacement or some other reason?[frame][/frame]I notice it doesnt have jacking points either which may mean its a replacement.Any ideas?

Cheers

[chrisryder]

curvy bits looks to me like moisture getting in the 'seam' and rust bursting the joint. would need work, but not necessarily terminal!

[deano69]

Oh, well that may be the case, though i thought it was part of its construction.The curve bits look too regular.This pic may be better.[frame][/frame]Am i being to optimistic in hoping the advert is correct when it said rust free underside?If it is rust bursting through thats the ads veracity shot to bits..

[chrisryder]

the regularity could be due to the bottom strip being spot welded on at regular intervals. so it's raising between the spots.

as for the lack of jacking points, it does suggest work has gone on under there before.

it looks like a panel has been let in further down the sill aswell, although it does look reasonably well done, so long as whatever rust was cut out, and not covered up.

[bmcecosse]

Yes - it's the beginning of rot damage, but the crossmember looks good and solid and so a good dosing with rust killer followed by lots of waxoyl should see it fine for many many years to come. Lack of jack points is a GOOD thing!

[deano69]

Thanks for the replies.

So 'rustfree', 'original' and 'never been welded' was a bit of a lie then.Oh well, so long as its solid enough for a new MOT.

I thought rustkiller was a big con?Or am i thinking of rust converters.So work rustkiller into the cracks and crevices where its rusty, wash it off and then waxoyl it all over and it should be good for a few years yet?I've agreed a sale and price but could get out of it on the grounds of wrongful description but i like the look of the car, need transport now and at the price could afford to buy welder to start restoring the other ones rusty bits.

[Neil MG]

I agree with BMC on both counts (Especially as the MM should not have jacking points on the crossmember.)

It certainly does look very good under there though despite that distortion.

[chrisryder]

i took MM to be a abbreviation for a minor, not specifically a series MM (i do wish it could be made clearer...)

i don't think the exhaust is original as it appears to be a two-piece affair.

if it were a Series MM would it not have the split axle? This vehicle appears to have the later style axle.

[deano69]

Its a series 2 split screen but the engines been changed for a 948cc, so maybe the the axle was changed also?

Series MM's didnt have jacking points then?

[Neil MG]

No and neither did Series II. Well, at least not on the crossmember! They are under the wheel arches.

[IaininTenbury]

Probably original axle as only the earliest (1953) Series 2s had the MM type axle.

[bmcecosse]

Get them to drop the price on account of the badly rusted crossmember and the missing jacking points. Tell them £100 to put all that right....... After all - what use is a Minor with no jacking points...

[hanvyj]

Get them to drop the price on account of the badly rusted crossmember and the missing jacking points. Tell them £100 to put all that right....... After all - what use is a Minor with no jacking points...

But the car won't be origional without them!

My crossmember displays similar, but less severe, rusting. I belive its three pieces of metal welded together? so when water gets into the joint and expands/rusts it puffs out the joint. You should definatley be able to get some money off, but the guy may just turn down the sale for someone who is less knowledgable.