Chassis repairs

[travellingphil]

Hi all,
First time post.
I have some corrosion in the chassis of my Fiat 2.8L Ducato 2006 reg. It is the Cross member and the advisory states "Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (Front cross member ) 6.1.1.(c)(i) and another some heading but "Offside Front (slight corrosion step.(6.1.1.(c)(i). For both matters i was advised that I did not need to do any by the MOT station.
Any body have any experience of repairs of that nature on the Ducato who can give me an idea of the complexity and cost of replacing the cross member please? It would be useful to have some idea in my head before asking a repair.
Many thanks

 

[Lenny HB]

The cross member just bolts on, easy DIY job I think they are 50-60 quid.

 

[Boringfrog]

Take the advice of the MOT station....

 

[gus-lopez]

The cross member just bolts on, easy DIY job I think they are 50-60 quid.

What Lenny said it is nigh on a service item like the sumps.

 

[airwave]

"Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (Front cross member ) 6.1.1.(c)(i) and another some heading but "Offside Front (slight corrosion step.(6.1.1.(c)(i).

Hmm , well the first is what Lenny said , the second is not quite so straight forward .

I recently removed my inner wing , to access the headlight , and found the same . It's a 2000 Ducato . My corrosion is only very slight , and can only be spotted from the side , There is no sign of any issue from below , but it's actually a common area for the duke to rot , so is not unusual on vehicles of this age . The one thing i can't do is weld , and so my mate up the road , a mobile mechanic , is gonna cover the job . Actually this week .
I've already got my front bumper off for other work , so access is good .
The extent of the damage is such , that the repair requires a plate approximately 5x3" , folded along the long length , about half inch from the bottom . Maybe a couple of hours work , tops .
Price will be difficult to judge , as i have known him for years , and i will have trouble getting him to take any . We are always borrowing tools off each other , despite him once owning a garage . Last year , i asked him to cover the mot on my little van , when i got bogged down with a brake issue on the duke . It passed , clean , but he wouldn't take any money ! . I slipped 100 quid in an envelope , slipped it through his letterbox and ran . I kid you not , he was banging on my door 10 minutes later , saying it was too much . I eventually got him to take 70 , for an hours work and the cost of the mot . He is trying to make a living out of the job , i'm only playing , and he did do me a big favour .
I'll be honest , i would expect maybe , a couple of hundred from a good repair shop , less at a backstreet welders . It would depend on how bad your damage is , and who does the actual repair , but i would suspect , your damage will be mainly damage paint , and rust , not actual corrosion . It is a structural area , and you passed an mot with it known . Actual rot would have resulted in a fail . I would advise getting it dealt with , making it a priority , but not making it an asap , if you see what i mean . If you leave it , it will require a welder , and become an mot issue . .

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[MisterB]

I would try some of the treatment that stops rust chemically on the headlight area if it hasn't rusted through. Clean up any surface rust and paint it on.

Cross member is a common fault and not difficult to do. from previous posts it seems the hardest part is getting the bloody thing off !!

 

[Emmit]

I can give you specifics regarding this item.

I have our van (In reality a 2005 Fiat front end) serviced by my local garage. However, he is unable to get it on ramps due to the limitations of the garage.

At my MOT last month the 'van failed spectacularly because of rust, no, not rust, partial disintegration! on the front sub frame. I'm assuming that's the part you are referring to.

Well, if it is, you can totally discount the advice by Lenny HB . (And you don't see that written very often on here, if at all.) Morning Lenny

That front cross member is £800+ +VAT. (HOW MUCH!!!)

I tried to get one off ebay and, whilst there were loads of X250 (that's the 2006 2.3 version) ours, the 2002-2006 were missing. As you have been given the 'Gypsies Warning' over yours, I'd suggest you start searching for it now. I did find one for a Citroen at £80 but the Compatibility check said 'No' More qualified peeps on here might wish to comment. Get looking.

The bill came out at North of £1200. 5hrs labour at a decent rate.

So there you have it. It would seem to be a weakness on the X244 for all you guys and gals out there with one. I now have to employ securicor to look after it. It might not have a catalytic converter to nick but my chassis is now covered in diamonds, it's that expensive.

 

[jockaneezer]

If finding the correct cross member is gonna be difficult or mega expensive, and if you are capable, why not remove the old one and get a fab shop to knock you one up, using the old one as a pattern ?

 

[Lenny HB]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=192226040991

 

[Emmit]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=192226040991

I might be wrong Lenny but I think what you have put up is the cross member that fits above the grille at the front of the engine bay.

Whereas I'm talking about the sub frame that fits under the engine bay, holding the steering box and other stuff.
ie;

This is from a 2019 Citroen but you get the picture. It can't simply be sent to a fabrication shop and knocked up in a couple of hours (I know you didn't post that comment)
Regards

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[Lenny HB]

I might be wrong Lenny but I think what you have put up is the cross member that fits above the grille at the front of the engine bay.

Whereas I'm talking about the sub frame that fits under the engine bay, holding the steering box and other stuff.
ie;

View attachment 414332

This is from a 2019 Citroen but you get the picture. It can't simply be sent to a fabrication shop and knocked up in a couple of hours (I know you didn't post that comment)
Regards

Yes, that is the subframe but you did say in your OP that it was the cross member, two totally different items.

A few S/H ones on ebay that look as good as new for £140 to £150.

 

[Emmit]

Yes, that is the subframe but you did say in your OP that it was the cross member, two totally different items.

A few S/H ones on ebay that look as good as new for £140 to £150.

In my defence Lenny, the first thing I said in my OP was;
At my MOT last month the 'van failed spectacularly because of rust, no, not rust, partial disintegration! on the front sub frame. I'm assuming that's the part you are referring to.

I then went on to mention, "cross member"
My apologies for causing confusion.