Y10 FIRE LX

[Kevinlincs]

Not much nicer from the underside

[Kevinlincs]

Other side not as bad but will end up needing the same repair..

[Kevinlincs]

Plan will be to cut them off from the underside where they've been welded to the axle itself.
Then I'll probably salvage the top inch or so and make the rest out of new 2mm steel. Probably try and work in a couple of draining slots to try and let the moisture out.

I've also got the springs, rest of the front suspension arms, anti roll bar and rear bumper brackets back. Most bits are now ready for the refit, once I get the car ready!

[Kevinlincs]

This afternoon I finally got chance to cut the spring cups off, the axle itself is still very solid and once painted it will be fine

[Kevinlincs]

I cut a circle of thick steel for the base with the plasma cutter, never have been very good at drawing circles! Then a band of 1.6mm steel formed into a circle to replace the inch or so cut out, top half was fine so it's just where the rubber spring seat had been holding the damp. I've purposely left the band short so there's an escape route for any moisture.

[Kevinlincs]

Securely welded back to the axle, both sides the same process.
Gave it a clean and some red oxide before I left so on Saturday it will be dry enough to be sprayed with the 2k black paint as per the rest of the suspension.
I'll also aim to spray the underfloor of the car so a painting morning to come!

[frankxhv773t]

I put a cut out in my horizontal flange to allow water to flow down the drain lip in the axle (I have a feeling this must have been in the original that I removed). I'd check there will be a clear path for drainage under the spring seat rubber or you may have created a new water trap.

[Kevinlincs]

There's a notch in the base of the axle itself to let any water away rather than it collecting around the base, a slot in the repair too so I don't forsee any future troubles. I have made sure there's plenty of paint going in between the repair and the axle, it'll also get some rust preventative wax in there, not waxoyl as I'm not a fan of it as it seems to dry and crack.

[Kevinlincs]

Change of my plans today meant a free afternoon so went up to the unit to spray the underside rather than tomorrow which has rain forecast, dry and warm meant I could paint without the heating on.

[Kevinlincs]

Colour matched by the paint suppliers in a straight solid colour rather than a basecoat and lacquer is a decent match for the underside, the topside of the car and wheel arches will be done in the correct stuff but this was easier and quicker.

[Kevinlincs]

Also hung the axle up and painted it so it can hang there until next Wednesday. Might then bring it home so I can build it up in the shed, but then again building it up on the car means it's easier to lift into place!

[frankxhv773t]

It all looks to be coming along wonderfully Kevin.

What is your preferred brand of wax for rust treatment?

[DavidLaver]

If that's "a short cut" and a "compromise".....   Lovely seeing this work.

"Colour matched by the paint suppliers in a straight solid colour rather than a basecoat and lacquer is a decent match for the underside, the topside of the car and wheel arches will be done in the correct stuff but this was easier and quicker."

[Kevinlincs]

Car is now down off the tilter so now the work can start on the rear arches where a bit of rust was evident around the bumper mount area. Also had a small hole in the outer quarter panel where someone had previously attempted to repair it.
A rusty scab behind the light fitting soon revealed more grot once the knotted wheel had a dig.

[Kevinlincs]

It all looks to be coming along wonderfully Kevin.

What is your preferred brand of wax for rust treatment?

I use tetrosyl car plan stuff, seems to last well and provide good protection, easily applied with a schuttz gun which I keep aside just for that job, fogs up nicely inside cavities