Welding

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adamskibx
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Welding

Post by adamskibx »

While I had some free time today, I thought id go down and plan the engine fitting that I have got to do before the end of the week (A block of flats is to be built on Monday onwards, removing the rear access of my grandma's house permanently, which would mean id have a BX that I love, but no way of ever driving it :shock: ) As im waiting for the crankshaft oil seals which are arriving Wednesday, I couldnt proceed with the engine repairs, so I had a good prod around any suspicious areas on the BX's bodywork. I found one hole, on the front nearside inner wing where they all go. Unlike the Mk2 BX's, there is no plastic protector plate about 5 cm's below the inner wing metal, so rust is bound to happen. Although near the strut top, the hole is the right side of the seam and the stronger area but is still pretty close. Does anyone know if this is OK to weld, or do MOT requirements need a strut top replacement part top be welded in all round the strut? I have grinded down to strong metal and the hole itself is very small (literally 5mm by 14 mm) The plate I hope to weld in will only be 3 by 5 cm. What im wondering is this: Should you weld this area from above or below? Should I seal it up and rustproof afterwards or would the MOT station prefer to see the weld easily and know that its a new weld etc etc. I hope to drive the car away by this Thursday night and MOT it by the following Thursday. Obviously im going to give it a full pre MOT test myself, but its bound to fail on something. Every BX does, as ive never found an average garage that actually likes the BX lol. Every mechanic I know hates them, apart from the specialists of course, who dont do MOT's!!
RichardW
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Post by RichardW »

Adam,

It's OK to weld a patch on, but it must be seam welded all the way around, to meet the MOT objective of "as strong as the original metal". The only bits you are not allowed to weld are highly stressed items like suspension and steering arms. I would cut back any suspect metal, and then weld the patch on the top, making sure the bottom is well covered with underseal afterwards to stop the water getting in again!
I NEED a BX TD.
jeremy
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Post by jeremy »

Which side to weld from isn't a luxury welders often have! - normally its only possible to do the job from one side!

I don't think any perticular requirements are laid down in the MOT for welding - except that if its within 12 inches of a pick up point or something it must be a continuous seam weld.

The normal problem is finding something sound enough to weld to and this usually means cutting out quite a lot of metal - which is where repair panels like suspension tops are essential.

Here's some bedtime reading - you should find the rules on welding for the MOT here

http://www.motuk.co.uk/welcome.htm

jeremy
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mat_fenwick
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Post by mat_fenwick »

I would weld both top and bottom to avoid any possiblity of rust traps where 2 layers of metal are close together.
adamskibx
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Post by adamskibx »

Cheers guys. I think ill try and find a garage to do this as my welding isnt great- Ill ask them to MOT it at the same time I think. Sounds like it would need to be perfect really.
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