Still not back on the road....

[ryan_flea]

Well after the failed MOT for the fact of the van needing some Welding on and around the front cross-member/Chassis I have had three separate people come and look at the van and go away pondering the work- failing to respond to me thereafter (in the case of two of them).

Finally, a chap has been and looked under her and happy to do the job, just going to be sent the price when he has done a little more research and exploration. (Still ominous as to if/when he can undertake the work)

I resided myself to the fact its going to be expensive- but its the waiting game, impatient really- but miss my weekends away and getting aggravated at things not being ushered along, regardless of how much I try.

Eugh.... darn n blast. I wanted away in the May half term- but i don't think it will be ready....Will it be ready for summer? Who knows. Ah well rant over- apologies.

 

[pappajohn]

Don't bother welding the cross member, replace it.
It's a quick DIY job and the part is cheap enough, probably a lot cheaper than welding the old one.

 

[ryan_flea]

Don't bother welding the cross member, replace it.
It's a quick DIY job and the part is cheap enough, probably a lot cheaper than welding the old one.

Yeah, I'm on to that one. Not costly on that front.

 

[eddie889]

I also have a corroded cross member on my 1998 Peugeot Boxer Autosleeper executive. I am considering doing the job myself. can anyone advise on the job? will it be possible on my own and without a ramp? thanks in advance

 

[Feltwell]

It's just 4 bolts from what I remember. Socket and good long breaker bar, so long as they'll budge then yes easy enough on your own and no ramp required. Put the front end on levelling ramps if you like.

If the bolts won't budge, some heat carefully applied to them from a blowtorch can work wonders.

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[PeteH]

It's just 4 bolts from what I remember. Socket and good long breaker bar, so long as they'll budge then yes easy enough on your own and no ramp required. Put the front end on levelling ramps if you like.

If the bolts won't budge, some heat carefully applied to them from a blowtorch can work wonders.

If they wont budge, sometimes gently try to tighten them and slacken them gets the buggers moving, when they start to move reverse the motion in small increments until they get free enough to remove. Plus Gas (Not WD 40, which is primarily a Water Dispersant) is the better aid to freeing seized threads, I have also used Gas Oil quite successfully in the past too.

 

[Al-Di]

dont forget to support or remove radiator as it sits on cross member.

 

[Feltwell]

If they wont budge, sometimes gently try to tighten them and slacken them gets the buggers moving, when they start to move reverse the motion in small increments until they get free enough to remove. Plus Gas (Not WD 40, which is primarily a Water Dispersant) is the better aid to freeing seized threads, I have also used Gas Oil quite successfully in the past too.

Good point. If possible, give the threads a dose of penetrating oil a couple of days before you want to do the job.

For *really* stuck bolts I've tried aerosol freeze release as well - it's OK, helps in some situations, but not as effective as heat if of course it's safe to use it.