Isuzu Trooper Chassis Rot

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Mon 7 Nov 2005 15:37
Isuzu Trooper Chassis Rot - rg
Folks,

I thought that my Vauxhall Monterey (rebadged Trooper) had surface rust only on its huge chassis members.

Until I took the tank off...

www.flickr.com/photos/point_and_click/60470809/

Is this an MOT fail? What are the parameters for holes in box sections? From a mechchanical engineering theory perspective, I understand that box sections can have big holes in them and still have decent stress capabilities.

rg
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Mon 7 Nov 2005 15:51
Isuzu Trooper Chassis Rot - Xileno {P}
I don't like the sight of that hole to the left of that plate.
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Mon 7 Nov 2005 16:04
Isuzu Trooper Chassis Rot - rg
Neither do I....

It's been undersealed and cosmetically patched for now.

r
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Mon 7 Nov 2005 16:29
Isuzu Trooper Chassis Rot - pmh
Is the big (bolted) bracket the primary towbar fixing? If so, I dont think that I would put a trailer on the back!

The good news is that there appears to be plenty of of heavy metal around to get a welding torch onto! The towbar crossmember would also appear to give some lateral stiffness. Probably not a vehicle to have in a few years time unless you get very handy with the welder.



--

pmh (was peter)


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Mon 7 Nov 2005 16:37
Isuzu Trooper Chassis Rot - rg
Peter,

No, the primary fixing is onto the long (front to back) members, with a pretty hefty triangular fixing onto them. It's a Witter, so well made and up to current EU regs.

Other towbars have been known to detach at this point to due rot!

rg
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Mon 7 Nov 2005 16:37
Isuzu Trooper Chassis Rot - Aprilia
If its rotted through there then you can bet its very thin elsewhere....
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Mon 7 Nov 2005 17:02
Isuzu Trooper Chassis Rot - rg
Aprilia,

I have it a good thomp with the sharp end of a large hammer to chip the rust off, enough to make indentations, and it seemed quite sound.

The rot does seem to be quite localised.

The point of the posting was what the MOT parameters were for something like this. "Zero tolerance"?

rg
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Tue 8 Nov 2005 07:49
Isuzu Trooper Chassis Rot - Collos25
A tin basher will make a section for this and have it welded in two short jiffs or do it yourself if you have or can borrow a tig welder.
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Tue 8 Nov 2005 10:12
Isuzu Trooper Chassis Rot - rg
Cheers, Andy.

The "challenge" is that the fuel tank would need to come out, so would have to be done on my drive to avoid £££££.

I can get hold of a MIG welder - but I've not done it before....


(The XM does not have this problem - 1-0 France-Japan)

rg
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Tue 8 Nov 2005 12:49
Isuzu Trooper Chassis Rot - RichardW
I'm pretty sure that will fail an MOT - many a Landrover has failed for rot in the rear crossmember. It shouldn'e be too bad to patch - as long as it doesn't extend to the top of the cross member, which will require body removal! I doubt you will be able to do that with a domestic MIG, it won't have enough power. You will be able to do it with a stick welder on a 13amp plug though. It will be a bit awkward with working upside down and with restricted access, so if you're not aufait with the welding, the best bet would be to drop the tank yourself, then get a mobile welder in to slap a patch on it, then underseal yourself and refit the tank. Shouldn't cost too much.
--
RichardW

Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
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