To Weld or not to weld....

[reb78]

I have a hole in the chassis rail that sits centrally behind the plate of the gearbox crossmember. If is in the nearside chassis rail and is about 1.5 - 2 inches by about 2 inches from memory. Given how tight the crossmember is to get between those rails and the strength i presume it provides to that section when it is bolted up, would you weld that hole up or leave it and waxoyl as is? Obviously if i am welding it up, i want to do it before i waxoyl. Perhaps i should stop being lazy and just weld it!

[Les Henson]

You will have to cut out the rust and weld a plate flush - rather than on top, as the crossmember may not go back in because of the reduced distance. It's very common for the chassis to rust there. I've done a few of the same.

Les.

[reb78]

I was thinking of tacking a small plate across each corner of the hole inside the chassis so that the plate i cut to sit in the hole (rather than on top) can be clamped in place flush and then welded (think that makes sense). I need to do this before i can finish rustproofing the chassis, but i have little motivation for either job at the moment!!

[Bowie69]

That's quite a good plan ^^^

So is using a magnetic spiritlevel (if you need the length)/magnetic welders clamp to hold it in place while you tack

[lrfarmer]

i welded my one up then i did the gearbox cut the rust out and welded a plate in the hole well worth is hole only get bigger

[LandyManLuke]

That's quite a good plan ^^^

So is using a magnetic spiritlevel (if you need the length)/magnetic welders clamp to hold it in place while you tack

I often just tack a bit of scrap on to the patch, to use as a handle for positioning the patch in the hole. grinding the tacks off is no hassle.