Front chassis Leg rusted

[rhjackson]

My front chassis leg on my 70' bay is badly rusted right up to the front beam curve.

Is it possible to buy good repair panels or will I need to make this up out of sheet? If the latter what thickness should i use?

cheers

 

[currylager]

I have seen these sections for sale, cut from donor vehicles saw a couple at vanfest, so if you cant buy new it might be worth ringing round some bus breakers perhaps.

 

[Alzy]

I picked my chassis leg up from vwheritage. Cut to whatever length needed. Not sure on the overall length? http://www.vwheritage.com/vwh/VW-Camper-Van-Parts/Bus-Parts-1968-79/Chassis-Parts/?templateID=vwh" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; :wink:

 

[rhjackson]

cheers - i'll phone around

 

[spookbag]

I've just had the same issue with my van.
It was a bit of a ballache to do but it turned out ok in the end.
I've only just started welding so it might be wise to prepare yourself for a bit of pigeon-**** action - but here is a link to my resto thread: http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=484024

I know its not very cool to post a link to another forum but I have just done this exact job and I posted about 50 photos along the way (might be exagerating a touch).
I bought a Schofields repair panel which was very good but unfortunately it is a 'one size fits all' panel and the early bays have a bulge on the side of the chassis member where the accelerator linkage bracket is attached (unless I'm talking about a different chassis leg )

Anyway - have a look and hopefully it is useful to you. If not then just laugh at my welding...

 

[rhjackson]

That makes a good read....

Good job on the front chassis leg. Gives me some confidence to hack away at mine. Just concerned that once I start cutting back I won't find any good metal.

Cheers

 

[spookbag]

Gives me some confidence to hack away at mine. Just concerned that once I start cutting back I won't find any good metal.

Yeah - thats exactly how I felt before I started.
Its got to be sorted though. If theres no good metal in it then you don't really want to leave it as it is.
Bite the bullet and start chopping away. The biggest problem you're likely to face is if the bit where the front beam mounts. Mind you - if that has rotted out you REALLY don't want to be driving around in it.
Get yourself a replacent chassis leg and start digging. There's nothing you can do that can't be fixed - if not by you then by someone more experienced.