Chassis Rust/MOT

So, my chassis seems fairly sound but there is a rust hole on the rear cross-member in the middle about the size of a fifty pence piece. Will this become an issue during the MOT or is it too insignificant at the moment? Then, what are my options for patching it up or should I be thinking about a rebuild on a good chassis some time soon?

Hi, I'm new here, but I have had a Series before, I think it may be an MOT fail as the rear crossmember is structural, you don't need much practice with a welder and some 3 or 4mm steel. It's best to nip any rust at all in the bud as soon as you notice it, and although a galv chassis is easier to look after, an original one will last forever if properly maintained, and there is nothing wrong with patching it up as long as it is done properly, i.e, cut out ALL the rot. Good Luck with the MOT, they are always nerve racking!

Thanks Evil, that's very useful. MOT due in two days so I guess I will just hope he is in a good mood and look to learn some welding skills thereafter. Good to know I can patch it up and not necesarilly need to replace completely.

If it needs welding drop me a line I'm only in Walton and should get my welder setup back together soon
Sure I can sort it out for a few beer tokens

pobby said:

If it needs welding drop me a line I'm only in Walton and should get my welder setup back together soon
Sure I can sort it out for a few beer tokens

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Thanks mate, I'll do that.

FWIW it passed it's MOT today (after I did a whole load of work to it). Though at no point did the chassis get any kind of attention from the tester. The holes (which I found to be more occurring than I first realised) were not immediately obvious but if anyone started having a poke around they would soon have seen them. The guy has seen the motor up on the ramp 3 separate times and not once clocked anything wrong with the chassis. He did clock a load of other stuff which I think someone else probably wouldn't have though. He said he rarely gets old 4x4's in so that may have had something to do with his testing style.

I feel in the next few years I will need to treat myself to a new chassis though, sooner rather than later if the repairs end up becoming a hassle. For now, money and time mean I'm going to soldier on as if I never saw any holes

The rust on the rear cross member is only an issue when it's within 12 inches (I think) of the spring hanger. Mine was rotten and had patches on the chassis rails so I ended up putting on a new half chassis.

drumlisden said:

The rust on the rear cross member is only an issue when it's within 12 inches (I think) of the spring hanger. Mine was rotten and had patches on the chassis rails so I ended up putting on a new half chassis.

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True, or a towbar mounting point now! (Fairly new regs)

It might be a very green question, but what do you weld with? I have a simple 90A arc welder which I presume is good to shovel together a fence or gate. Would that be inadequate for welding jobs on the chassis?

On more question.

I'm planning to buy a landy soon and take it abroad. what condition can I get for 1000-1500 pounds? For this money I saw Landys with MOT TAX on ebay, often a bit battered, but MOT does mean it's roadworthy doesn't it?

hzoltaan said:

I
but MOT does mean it's roadworthy doesn't it?

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nope, only means it was at the time of the test, look at the print on the bottom right of the new style sheets, think it was on the back of the old ones.

Em no lol I bought my 'MOT'd' landy and what a bag of **** it was. If I'd known then what I know about landys now I wouldn't have touched it with the proverbial barge pole. But it must have had a very very sympathetic MOT tester as for a start the seats weren't actually bolted onto anything (the previous owner had thought it would be cool to have heated recaros :what: ) and the electrics were hair raising to say the least.

So no, an MOT means bot all inspect it yourself

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Well, I thought that MOT is generally more serious in UK than here. (bribing is very common and not giving a flying f**k too. I got a technical test here on my car, two months later my left wheel fell out when braked to halt at a redlight... The part holding the swingarm was rotten like hell.)

So what I meant is, that I will inspect it yes. But would a rotten-like-hell LR pass MOT?
The idea is to get a Landy with MOT and drive it home. I can deal with electrics, carburettor, and such on the road, but broken suspension, brakes and chassis rotten through would be a big pain. Due to the time limit (and no garage in the backpack) what I can spend in UK looking for a Landy I can't afford getting a car with no MOT and fix it up on the sellers yard.