Firewall flex

[Slunnie]

Folks I've got an old IIa with rust in the DS side of the firewall, that in itself is ok as I can repair that when its all apart, though when steering I've just noticed that the firewall is flexing down at the transmission hump by about 10mm backwards and forwards, which in my books is a fair bit. It turns out that there are a few bolts that locate the floor to the firewall missing, but is this seriously meant to flex like this or is it an indicator telling me the firewall is shot and probably rusting from the insides out as it flexs? Cheers for any responses.

[Hellspawn]

If all the floor screws are in and tight there should be no movement. Also be aware the holes wear if left loose which may be part of the problem.

[Larns]

The L/R body itself is very flimsy untill it's bolted all together to make up a ridged frame. I've got my car apart at the moment an the firewall swings around like a pendulim without the rest or the body secured.
Tighten everything up first, especially the two bolts that go through the firewall and chassis.

Cheers Larns

[one_iota]

Slunnie,

For what it is worth:

Currently working on a County totally disassembled and reassembled. The attachment of the firewall to the chassis via the bolts on each side at the outriggers is very firm (surprisingly) without any flexing and without anything else attached. Check the condition (rust) of these fixings in the fire wall and in the chassis.

[LandyAndy]

Hi Slunnie
Its a common Series problem,my 109 van is doing the same and has a crack in the firewall,not nice,and a major problem to rectify.Check the 3 bolts thru the chassis rail on the drivers side that support the steering box,a small amount of moovement there is magnified by the steering box,mine were loose,tightening them has removed a fair amount of flex.
Andrew