Thread: Rusty Rear X Member

Originally Posted by Jojo

I have been confronted with a similar problem recently and was about to start a thread about it. As pointed out, the replacement will have to be welded to the chassis, hence requiring removal of the fuel tank as it seems. I haven't got that far yet, but will have to in due course.
I just wonder if there is someone out here who has made a bolt-on conversion that will make changing corroded rear cross members easier?

Hmm i think it will be a relatively big job despite bolting or mounting.

When I get the time to have a crack at it I will post up some photos and some information. Probably in the next 3 weeks.

Originally Posted by Terrain Vehicles

I hope you got one with chassis extensions, that will make life much easier.

Drop the fuel tank out, give yourself room to work. Be careful with the wiring loom in the chassis. Don't cut off too much.

Unfortunately no chassis extensions. With the chassis extensions it appears as if the dip in the chassis rail would allow for a larger area to work in.

I read that some people tie wire of some description to the loom and poke it down the chassis rail out of the way and then retrieve it after using the wire.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

Your existing x-member doesn't look too bad. I have repaired worse (without needing a new x-member).

I think Inc's comment about the 6-burner was that he may be willing to help you out with welding etc if you offer him suitable enticement .

I saw some shots of a rear x member on a pommy LR forum and it was beyond imagination, the salted roads and everything else just destroys cars over there.

The main reason for replacing the x member not plating it is because of my hatred to rust (why did I buy a land rover!) and i got the replacement member cheap as chips.

A 6 burner hey, wonder if the old man would notice its sudden disappearance

Fortunately welding isn't an issue, just time to have a crack at it.

Mine was about that bad. I just cut out the bad bits and replaced them with sections made up from some SHS I had around. I had to replace the jacking point as part of it as it collapsed when I tried jacking it up. My fab skills are pretty average (strong but ugly), but you wouldn't notice it been patched unless you really had a good look at it. Might be a better option than replacing the whole lot.