Thanks guys. As I said in post #16, the contents of post #1 with regard to the crossmember is not right.

When I looked at the vehicle last Sunday, it was teeming with rain and none of us were too keen to spend much time out there looking at things - so I didn't get a good look at it and the owners description of what had gone on was obviously misunderstood by me - or not explained clearly - or something.

Anyway - I've got it now. Let the good times begin!