HELP what should I do ?

Hi

so today I started to remove all the crap and lose rust from the under side of the 2003 discovery and its looking bad, there are so far no holes found but I am only a quarter of the way down, it does look a bit better the closer you get to the front but until I get there I cant be certain. My plan was to get rid of all the loose then blast it with a steam cleaner if I can find a place to do it in sussex or jet wash it, then treat the rust and then wax oil or something but now I am just not sure if its to late.

What should I do ? does this look like its gone to far or can this car be saved. I am concerned as I have already spent an unexpected amount of £ on it and I don't want to spend more on fixing other stuff if the car is rot. should I sell her up and just give up ? I am at a loss as to what I should be doing so wanted to ask on here as you guys have seen many discos and have years of experience.

Please please can I get some advice, currently feeling a little stressed with it all.



Big thanks

yeah , its f*cked mate...........PM me your best price and I'll collect it tomorrow

Before you panic about the state of yours, look here:
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/help-needed-on-rear-shock-mount.304413/

Seriously, wire brush and hammer to get rid of any loose bits then see what you have.
I've seen a lot worse than that on sale as "chassis in good condition".
Then treat it with Dinitrol, Por15, Buzzweld, Bilt Hamber or whatever you prefer.

Use a Karcher sand blaster - very good and easy to use.

Mines alot worse than that its going in for a new rear chassis which will be galvanised and hes gonna clean and treat the rest of it and then waxoyl the whole thing, its a big hit at £800 but cheaper than buying another one and it runs great, so i think if everything else is ok its worth doing as you will get another 10 yrs out of it hopefiully

Only wore if you find holes....

Then

Rust converter
Bonda high zinc primer
Chassie black

Oil once a year.

My 87 is still lovley doing the above.

An 87 TD5 ?

Thanks loads for your help and comments it going in to a garage in a few weeks to be check out this will be the second garage as the one I have been using don't seem to have the time of day when you ask questions. I really hope its not as bad as it looks. Have a good day and enjoy the sun

Just looks like a bit of surface rust... main thing is - can you poke a hole in it?

If its still solid when you poke/prod/hit it then just clean it up and paint/waxoyl as appropriate

private penguin said:

Just looks like a bit of surface rust... main thing is - can you poke a hole in it?
If its still solid when you poke/prod/hit it then just clean it up and paint/waxoyl as appropriate

Click to expand...

+1 It really doesnt look that bad!
My rear chassis looked like yours, 1/2 hour thumping it with a hammer revealed it to be very solid. Just painted it with Hammerite.

That is quite good. With a Disco that age you are on the right side of the curve if you cant crumble it with your fingers!

Like they say, surface rust needs removing, and a thorough job with coatings of your choice, you will get a good few years out of that. You may find a few tiny spots need plating, if so, use it as on opportunity to spray stuff inside. It hasn't really let go big time from what we can see.

Mine looked like that, cleaned it, looked solid

Just need rust preventer before winter

Olie said:

Thanks loads for your help and comments it going in to a garage in a few weeks to be check out this will be the second garage as the one I have been using don't seem to have the time of day when you ask questions. I really hope its not as bad as it looks. Have a good day and enjoy the sun

Click to expand...

Looks just like mine ... surface rust ...

Tap it with a hammer, if it 'rings' it's good... if the hammer goes through it's not ... tis the only test

Thanks for your comments guys , its very reassuring, once its up in the air ill know for sure what needs doing, but until then all i can do is wait and keep my fingers crossed.

Mine also was in a similar condition after a good wire brush. Good coating of old engine oil and waxoyl will help prevent it from getting much worse. I coat mine every 6 months or so and fill the chassis with old oil too. Just passed and MOT with no advisories and the tester commented on how solid the chassis was.

The Mad Hat Man said:

Use a Karcher sand blaster - very good and easy to use.

Click to expand...

I agree 100% that Sand blasting is the best way to remove rusty crud - Its a dirty filthy job, but it is worth it. As time and patience permits, I am doing both the Disco's we have. Then using a proper rust treatment to stop it coming back - plenty of info on here. IMHO use something better than waxoil - dinitrol and bilt hamber both do good, very cost effective products.

The best way to do this, is to do it yourself - as the thread linked to above:-

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/help-needed-on-rear-shock-mount.304413/

should prove to almost anyone (IMHO!)

Shock mounts are a good place to look - as they take a fair beating - irrelevant on a good chassis, but same will show up a rotten chassis in short order.

Again guys you're raising my hopes so a big thanks, Ill update this when I know for sure but I do think after talking to you guys I might be in luck