highlandmist Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 After a recent inspection I noticed the spring seat was broken on the front near side. I found the page here which gives a part number but not getting this on my trusted LR Direct site or many other places ! http://www.who-sells-it.com/cy/lr-parts-4481/land-rover-defender-parts-21671/page-14-fullsize.html Item number 12, STC8696 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 Paddocks sell them here HTH Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 the part number you have in the original post is incorrect it should be STC8608 http://www.lrseries.com/shop/product/listing/12651/STC8608-FRT-SPRING-SEAT-LH-DEF.html http://www.brit-car.co.uk/product.php?xProd=93991 http://www.island-4x4.co.uk/spring-mounting-bracket-front-lr541l-stc8608-p-5389.html http://www.johncraddockltd.co.uk/land-rover-defender/defender-90-and-110/parts/chassis-and-outriggers/stc8608-front-coil-spring-seat-on-chassis-lh-90110.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlandmist Posted October 26, 2012 Author Share Posted October 26, 2012 Ah, that's good. However I think this job may be beyond me. Looks like there's cutting and welding involved ? Has anyone fitted one before ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris113 Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 It's suprisingly simple if you take lots of measurements and photos to help yourself prior to cutting the original off. Use nearby parts of the chassis as datum points and measure twice (or even 4 times!) before you cut. Are you able to weld/do you have welding equipment? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlandmist Posted October 27, 2012 Author Share Posted October 27, 2012 No, I don't weld so I'm off to ask some locals who do homers. Pretty sure a guy I used to put cars to years ago does welding. Will let you know how I get on, maybe put a picture up the next time I jack up the front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlandmist Posted November 12, 2012 Author Share Posted November 12, 2012 'tis worse than I thought. After finaly getting someone to do it, they looked at it and said the corrosion on the chassis is bad in that area. It will need the axle etc removed and the chassis leg plated. They can't take on such a big job in the workshop they use as it's for other business. Just wondering if I could put the Defender up on axle stands in my driveway, do the stripping down and get someone out to do the welding on site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtyninety Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 YIKES! ever heard of washing/painting/waxoiling?! How did that even pass the last MOT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eds Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 I had this happen to me but it was the trumpet that was totally rusted through. My MOT man pointed out the problem but said it was only a mud shield so not important. Went to Scotland and hit a pothole, whole thing snapped shoving the shock through the inner wing and breaking the expansion tank off its mounts. Had to drive 600 miles home with no shocker. Just show MOT people don't always know what they are testing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneandtwo Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 You need to look carefully at the other 90 rot spots. The underside of the front dumbirons above the jacking points (nearly always rotted out even on otherwise good chassis in my experience), the downward curves of the chassis , the top of the chassis around the Aframe crossmember. I think you will find you have either a lot of welding to do or a new chassis to buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freypal Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 I had this happen to me but it was the trumpet that was totally rusted through. My MOT man pointed out the problem but said it was only a mud shield so not important. Went to Scotland and hit a pothole, whole thing snapped shoving the shock through the inner wing and breaking the expansion tank off its mounts. Had to drive 600 miles home with no shocker. Just show MOT people don't always know what they are testing! This exact same thing happened to mine. The turret had rusted through but also the top of the spring seat had rusted right through too. One bumpy lane and the shock went through the inner wing snapping off the header tank. When I came to look at it the other side wasn't far behind so I ordered two new turrets, two HD turret rings and then rebuilt the spring seat myself. In my case it was only the top surface of the seat that had rusted so it was fairly straight forward to rebuild with plate. I managed all the work by myself with just the wheel off and the truck on stands so it's not too tough a job to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlandmist Posted November 13, 2012 Author Share Posted November 13, 2012 YIKES! ever heard of washing/painting/waxoiling?! How did that even pass the last MOT? Give e a break, its twenty years old and I've only had it a few months. Had a few other more pressing things to sort out was considering chassis work for next summer but its bit me in the bum already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freypal Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Give e a break, its twenty years old and I've only had it a few months. Had a few other more pressing things to sort out was considering chassis work for next summer but its bit me in the bum already It doesn't look that bad tbh. It looks in better condition than mine (which is also 20 years old and had been treated to waxoyl). It's a common rot spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlandmist Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 Well, its looking a wee bit better now New spring seat and ring now in place and surrounding area attended to. I also fixed my chainsaw this weekend so well chuffed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Was the rot just limited to the spring seat? Glad you managed to find yourself a welder Bonus points for fixing your chainsaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlandmist Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 Was the rot just limited to the spring seat? Glad you managed to find yourself a welder Bonus points for fixing your chainsaw No there were a two other bits in the same area which he plated. He reckons the rest of the chassis is ok but not great. I hope to make it to the summer without any firther surprises but I will be very attentive to the bits you don't usually see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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