Mud-club

Vehicle & Technical => Defender => Topic started by: Matt_H on January 21, 2006, 18:23:56

Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: Matt_H on January 21, 2006, 18:23:56: picked up my new 90 :-) rear cross member needs replacing (which I knew about in advance of buying!)..

Is it a stragith forward home job (I'm ok with a welder) or is it easier to get a professional to do it (one fo those jobs that takes practise?).. Any idea on costs?

Matthew
Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: snezza69 on January 21, 2006, 18:28:59: I just replaced my x member on a 110. Not difficult at all, reasonable with a welder but I did have the body off. I think you will be looking at just over a ton for the replacement part (I got mine from Paddocks)

Hope that helps,
Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: Matt_H on January 21, 2006, 18:35:35: I'm guessing you have to weld the top edges then?

I guess it's one of those thigns that if you've done before it may be much easier - I can't see a prof taking more than 4 hours so that's aroudn Ã‚Â£100-Ã‚Â£150 labour.. may leave this one to the pros then! I can see it taking me an entire weekend!

Matthew
Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: snezza69 on January 21, 2006, 19:07:29: It should be an easy job for a weekend. I would think you have to weld the top edge for safety reasons, but if you get a replacement with the legs I think the 90 rails drop down in an arc so this should be straight forward. Loads of people have done this before you should do a search for other strings first.
Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: Matt_H on January 21, 2006, 19:53:39: i guess the next stupid question is how the tub can be removed - is it simple bolt on or is it connected to bulk head and drivers area?

Matthew
Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: muddyweb on January 21, 2006, 20:16:48: Don't remove the tub, leave it on there to help you align the cross member.

Cut a couple of holes in the rear floor above the chassis for welding access and then make up some covers to put back in.
Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: muddysteve on January 21, 2006, 20:19:38: and try not to set fire to it this time :wink:

Steve
Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: davidlandy on January 21, 2006, 20:21:23: we welded one in not long ago to a 90 and didnt remove the tub - as Tim says the holes help you line it all up.

we also drilled thru the old chassis and bolted it on first then welded around the edges. belt and braces!

took about 6 hrs, but 4 if you have a decent drill bit!
Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: Matt_H on January 21, 2006, 20:49:02: well it all sounds pretty straight forward... I'll have the fire extinguisher on hand this time!

Custom inspection covers seems like a good idea!

I noticed paddocks sell two different kinds, one which is described as 'basic' and one which has extensions.. Would I be right in thinking the one with extensions is so you can chop more of the original chasis legs out?

Your help as always very much appreciated!

Matthew
Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: davidlandy on January 21, 2006, 21:05:29: get the one with extensions
Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: Matt_H on January 22, 2006, 10:25:59: if I'm buying a new rear x-member anyway - can you a rear x-member with built in winch tray?

Matthew
Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: j99mud on January 22, 2006, 10:53:22: i just had my cross member replaced you are about right with the price of the part about Ã‚Â£100 but the total job cost Ã‚Â£617 , :cry: labour is lots but they did a fantastic job and waxoyled all the new stuff for me too
Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: TechnoTurkey on January 22, 2006, 13:15:18: Need to get mine replaced soon as well, I'll add it to the list of jobs!

Mine is a truck cab but i havent seen any cross members with the little bits that the rear door hinges down on?
Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: muddyweb on January 22, 2006, 15:47:50: Quote from: "Matt_H"
if I'm buying a new rear x-member anyway - can you a rear x-member with built in winch tray?

Yes you can.. but they ain't cheap ;-)
Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: Matt_H on January 22, 2006, 18:27:03: Quote from: "muddyweb"
Quote from: "Matt_H"
if I'm buying a new rear x-member anyway - can you a rear x-member with built in winch tray?

Yes you can.. but they ain't cheap ;-)

define aint cheep! or have you got any links?

Got a X9 superwinch going spare now :-)

Matthew
Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: speedfreak on January 23, 2006, 17:01:47: Quote from: "TechnoTurkey"
Need to get mine replaced soon as well, I'll add it to the list of jobs!

Mine is a truck cab but i havent seen any cross members with the little bits that the rear door hinges down on?

Thats because the brackets that hold the tailgate hinges bolt onto the Defender rear crossmember...
Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: Matt_H on January 23, 2006, 17:45:34: well i had a chat with safari, the main guy wasn't there so prices are guide only
Ã‚Â£150 for cross member
Ã‚Â£300 for heavy duty winch tray version

Ã‚Â£300 labour

Ok Ã‚Â£300 is a lot, but I know they will do it well, they've got a lift so can get all the access, they've done it a million times and don't cut any holes etc.

I am really tempted to do it myself, but I think I'd always be looking over my shoulder when towing, to make sure the lot was still attached!

Happy to practise on somenoe elses though ;-)

May as well get them to do the timing belt at the same time and just hand over the CC. :shock:

Matthew
Title: rear cross member replacement
Post by: TechnoTurkey on January 24, 2006, 13:16:49: "Thats because the brackets that hold the tailgate hinges bolt onto the Defender rear crossmember..."

They appear to be welded onto mine, looks neat enough to be factory I thought.