Welding vs Bending

[Matt Cotton]

Hello all.
I am now working on the underside of my Sprint project and unfortunately the n/s chassis leg needs repair. I probably should replace it but the front end of the leg is very good... Tis quite a big job to replace too.
Looking at it tonight, I think I could fabricate a repair. My question though is would I be better off welding 3 plates together.. Ie two vertical and one horizontal or simply bending some steel into shape and welding on to what's left of the original vertical section? Strength is what concerns me.
Any thoughts folks?

[Tony Burd]

Hi Matt

If I was you I'd try to get hold of another chassis leg and cut a suitable piece to let in.

Cheers

Tony

[new to this]

Matt

i would bend some 1.5mm steel to the shape of the chassis leg,to replace the whole leg is a lot of work

Dave

[cleverusername]

Hello all.
I am now working on the underside of my Sprint project and unfortunately the n/s chassis leg needs repair. I probably should replace it but the front end of the leg is very good... Tis quite a big job to replace too.
Looking at it tonight, I think I could fabricate a repair. My question though is would I be better off welding 3 plates together.. Ie two vertical and one horizontal or simply bending some steel into shape and welding on to what's left of the original vertical section? Strength is what concerns me.
Any thoughts folks?

A repair bent into the correct shape will be strong enough, as long as you use the correct gauge of steel. The strength of these structural sections is not just down to the material, it is also the shape. Just make sure you get all the rot out and weld it to good steel.

In some ways these repairs are easier than body work, you can put the welder on a nice high setting and get good penetration. You don't have to worry about how it looks.

[Matt Cotton]

Thanks for the info gents. Having cleaned it up further I've decided to purchase a leg from Alun and will graft that in. It looks to have had multiple repairs in the past so time to start afresh.

[new to this]

Thanks for the info gents. Having cleaned it up further I've decided to purchase a leg from Alun and will graft that in. It looks to have had multiple repairs in the past so time to start afresh.

Matt

that chassis leg does look a bit ruff,be nice to see how you fit the new one

Dave

[cleverusername]

Thanks for the info gents. Having cleaned it up further I've decided to purchase a leg from Alun and will graft that in. It looks to have had multiple repairs in the past so time to start afresh.

What is the footwell above it like? With all that rot in the rail, I would give it a prod just to be safe.