dumb irons on a series 3.

as i have to replace a wing and the bumper on my ex mod lwb (collision with a fiat - don't ask), i may as well do the dumb irons as well (seeing as there isn't enough steel left to bolt the new bumper to!). now it looks to me like i'll have to take both wings off, and the springs. anyone care to give me an idiots* guide in the best way to do this without killing myself, my kids, the neighbours etc?

and can anyone recommend a mobile welder in north london/herts/essex?

thanks in advance...


*when i say idiot, i mean "where do i need to prop the body?" level. so "real" idiot.

behind the front springs on the chassis would be a good place..assuming it int rusty, if no one else gets back to you with the rest of the info.
i'll do it when i get back later tonite.

slob said:

behind the front springs on the chassis would be a good place..assuming it int rusty, if no one else gets back to you with the rest of the info.
i'll do it when i get back later tonite.

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brilliant ta.

If you havnt got a cutting torch a 1 mm cutting blade in a grinder does a neat quick job of cutting chassis.

I have just patched my own "dumb irons / spring hangers" and you can do it with out removing the wings but its easer if you do.
I would not use a Gas axe as there are too many things close by that don't like it and be careful with a angle grinder as it can be very dangerous.

I did my own welding but I wouldn't recommend this without some training / practice but once you have it prepared its quite a simple job to do if you want to spend your money on a MIG set.

Ps watch you fingers when you drop the springs.

always watch your fingers when playing with any kind of springs.
once saw a chap with his finger in the shackle bush hole! when lining it up!

i nearly fainted.

i bet he did faint when the shackle took his finger off

right. i've ordered me dumb irons (21 quid a pop at craddocks), and i've got a mobile welder blokey who will cut off the old ones and weld the new ones on for 60 quid (hooray!). do i need to take the whole spring off, as per 60.20.01 in the ROM, or can i get away with leaving the U-bolts in place and just undoing and removing the front shackle bolts?*
if i remove the shackle bolts, do i need to replace the bushes, or can i keep the old ones in?

*note - i've never had my road springs off, so if this is an obviously stupid idea, i apologise...

I would have ordered a couple of shackls and bolts whilst you were online to Crads they are not much.

sorry can help with the bushes.

clivees said:

I would have ordered a couple of shackls and bolts whilst you were online to Crads they are not much.

sorry can help with the bushes.

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did you take the road spring off entirely when you did yours, or did you just undo it from the front end?

Sorry Ishmael I didnt need to remove my springs as i was just patching rust this time and not replacing bent bits.
But i did take off the wing, bumper, apron and radiator grill to get access to all the rusty bits.

clivees said:

Sorry Ishmael I didnt need to remove my springs as i was just patching rust this time and not replacing bent bits.
But i did take off the wing, bumper, apron and radiator grill to get access to all the rusty bits.

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ah ok, cheers.