gadget Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 The tank cradle on our freelander has died I've had a look about for a howto replace but my search powers are weak. It doesn't look to be the easiest of things to take off. Anyone know what has to be removed to get at it and fit a new one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 What model is it? Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadget Posted November 4, 2016 Author Share Posted November 4, 2016 Sorry about that. I thought they'd all be the same It's a 2001 TD4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Litch Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 The cradle died on my wife's 2006 TD4 a couple of years ago but funnily enough everything else on the underside was almost like new (I do tend to keep my vehicles clean on the underside). At the time there were no pattern offerings available so I bit the bullet and bought a genuine part but made sure that before fitting it was painted & Waxoyled. When it came to fitting I didn't fancy the hassle of supporting the tank so for the first time ever I popped it into our local independent garage (a one man band but is totally reliable & trustworthy unlike many) and he did it for me. The cost??????.......................£50. Wouldn't have been worth getting the ramps out or getting my hands dirty for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadget Posted November 7, 2016 Author Share Posted November 7, 2016 Where do you live? I'm coming over The local garage want over £200 for fitting with the caveat of "everything has been on there for a long time, we don't know how long it will take to get everything off" I've got a pit to work in, so supporting the tank shouldn't cause me too much trouble. I hope... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Litch Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 Cranfield (Beds). He said it wasn't a problem and as I said, apart from the cradle everything else was nice and clean so it wasn't a messy job. Too late for me but I see that there are pattern cradles available now at about a quarter of the price for a genuine item. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Did a quick search and it appears you have to lower (not remove) the subframe. Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadget Posted November 10, 2016 Author Share Posted November 10, 2016 On 08/11/2016 at 8:02 PM, Litch said: Cranfield (Beds). He said it wasn't a problem and as I said, apart from the cradle everything else was nice and clean so it wasn't a messy job. Too late for me but I see that there are pattern cradles available now at about a quarter of the price for a genuine item. Our freelander is clean underneath, but it does have 200,000 miles worth of rust that i'm sure will make some of the but and bolts troublesome. I'm in Staffs. It's a shame you're not in a neighbouring county. I'd pay your indy £50 in a heratbeat . 3 hours ago, Les Henson said: Did a quick search and it appears you have to lower (not remove) the subframe. Cheers Les. Did your searches give any indication of how much of a drop was needed for the subframe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 It just said remove the driveshafts and lower the subframe. I'm fairly sure it means the rear prop. There's not much else you need to keep an eye on with the exception of brake lines, etc. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadget Posted November 10, 2016 Author Share Posted November 10, 2016 When i had a quick look underneath i thought the prop and maybe the centre exhaust would need moving out of the way to make life easier. I'll give it a bash and see how it goes. If there's not too much spanner throwing and cursing i might get some pictures too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted November 11, 2016 Share Posted November 11, 2016 You may find that exhaust clamps will be very rusty and then break when you try to undo them. Separating one part of the system from another is not always as simple as pulling them apart and usually needs belting with a soft mallet. If you only need to get the exhaust out of the way, then unhooking the mounting rubbers means that it will drop down out of the way under it's own weight. You may need to restrict how far it drops by supporting it or tying it when it's down far enough. Similarly, the prop may only need disconnecting from the diff and tying out of the way. Having said that, sometime removing a component completely makes the intended job a lot easier. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadget Posted April 2, 2017 Author Share Posted April 2, 2017 (edited) I replaced the tank cradle today. I was part way through before i remembered to take pictures First of all this is what was left of the original cradle. I've removed the mid and rear exhaust sections because i'm replacing them. You would only need to remove the mid section to replace the tank cradle. I unbolted the propshaft from the rear diff and removed the rear diff front mount and rested the diff on the subframe to give extra clearance. I was going to put a jack under the subframe and lower it down but seeing as some ape has welded the offside front to the chassis i decided on a different approach. I put a trolley jack under the tow bar and raised it to just touch and then removed the three remaining subframe bolts and left it hanging. The nearside dropped by about four inches. I unbolted the handbrake cable brackets on both sides too. I supported the tank with two scissor jacks with wood to spread the weight a little. I'd already drained the tank so there isn't much weight to support. At this point i removed the four cradle support bolts and the cradle dropped from the tank leaving the heat shield and plastic guard in place with the tank. There are two clips on the tank toward the rear that need to be unlatched I had to lower the tank on the jacks by about 25mm to get the front section of the cradle past the two front locating nibs on the tank. Once the front was off the nibs the cradle pulled free. What's left of the old cradle versus the new one. The new cradle slides in over the subframe and just bolts up. Locate the front of the new cradle over the tank front nibs first and then fit the two front cradle support bolts in by a few turns. Leaving them loose lets you wiggle the rear of the cradle about while you try to locate the rear two bolts. This is one of the front nibs that you need to locate. Lift the rear of the cradle until it is close to the tank and then attach the rear tank clips. Then fit the rear two cradle support bolts. Refit front diff mount (i fitted a new one) and bolt up subframe. Refit prop and handbrake brackets. That's it. Edited April 2, 2017 by gadget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pallo76 Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Is a rotted tank cradle an mot failure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 If it is making the tank insecure, then yes: https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/m4s07000201.htm Otherwise, no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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