mk3 front new leaf hanger too far back

[Luke]

Am I invisible here, the welding has been done incorrectly! You cant bodge about with shorter springs for gods sake Get the guy to do the job properly or get someone who knows what they are doing to do it. I have been welding Transits for over 30 years and have never had springs not fit after welding. There is no point measuring things as you have stated that all was well before the welding. The hangers fit around the rear of the crossmember which is obviously in the wrong place.

how do you know its in the wrong place why not just measure it then we'll be sure - 2 mins work and alans even posted the dimentions ford work to

How do I know? He says there was no problem before the welding, springs dont "grow" When you replace the front crossmember you have first measure the spring mounting dimensions and record them (I use a high tech bit of welding rod) then chop it out back to the original flange on the front of the chassis, this is usually a bit rotten too. Proper job involves reparing the chassis to its original dimensions, bodge job involves whacking the member in without measuring anything. Before I weld anything its all tacked in place then checked with the rod to make sure all is well. If the springs didnt fit after the welding but did before the it stands to reason that the welding is at fault What would measuring prove? Only that the hangers are in the wrong place

one thing i've learnt is dont take anything as gospel he says that but with all due respect (sorry twin wheel) it might have been the same and he's just not noticed i agree it should have been measured before but what if it's in the right place (now i'm not saying it is just i cant be 100% sure its not) to me you measure it now, why not?? - it's a no brainer, quick, free and more importantly it'll tell you how far out it is

[Muttley]

I agree its only a quick job to measure up, what will it tell you though? We already know that the springs (which were apparently fine before welding) are laying too far back. The diagram from Ford will provide the correct dimensions so that the job can be redone correctly (an inevitable outcome) I speak from great experience with this particular job. having first done crash repairs at Ford main dealers and subsequently doing many repairs due to rust. If you cut off the member and the hangers together you are left with no reference point for the hangers (which also give reference for the member) Its common for folk to weld the hangers too close to the bottom of the engine mount (its tempting) This mistake then snowballs when you fit the crossmember. Thats why when I saw the original post I knew what had happened, the (bad) pic shows that the hanger is right up to the engine mount.

[whitemice]

It's also about the position of the holes in the vertical plane, eh Muttley

Out of interest would a plating of the current hangers and a re-drill get through a vosa check in your view?

[Muttley]

As a bodge I suppose you could weld up the holes and redrill them in the correct position. Cheap and relatively safe.

[whitemice]

Thanks Andy.

[lewman]

this sounds like the classic mistake of cutting both the old hangers off at the same time , i always cut off one so you have a reference point to work from and leaving one spring fitted so you can check the alignment easily , the idea of drilling new holes is a much easier fix , i would make or find 4 good washers and weld them to the hanger to add extra support once the holes are moved

[Muttley]

Liking the washers idea

[Twin Wheel Burning]

That's a good idea to re drill the holes. I suppose it's a little bit worrying how strong it would be though. That said, a much better idea than what I could come up with. Any idea's how much the labour is worth to re do the job properly?

P.S I responded to some of the posts after a skinfull... sorry if I messed some of the posts up

[petercb]

Not a good photo but is the hanger welded to or over the front of the engine mount? If so could be fun in the future, if not where's my glasses?

[whitemice]

At present any insurer or third party would have an easy route out of many forms of liability, a roadside vosa check would be failed and likely prosecuted.

[petercb]

Out of interest just had a quick look at mine and I reckon your front engine mounting bolt is definitely now covered over so its going to be a bodge weld (matches the rest of the job!) unless of course they took the bolt out so the hanger fitted flush Still there's a few left in.......

Repaired my spring hangers by using cardboard to mark shape and then cutting plate to suit and welded to the flange so it sits neatly in - passed the mot no bother.

Guess the radiator sits at a nice angle now instead of vertical and god knows how the bumper etc is now sitting relative to the crossmember

Agree with previous posters - it needs repairing properly - as it is its an accident waiting to happen - and it might end up killing someone

Get someone who knows what they are doing to have a look at it and keep your 'mate' well away - just sad he's buggered your van.

On a more positive note whilst looking at my spring hangers and crossmember found one of the plastic retaining pins for the grill of which two were missing when I did my cambelt just laying on the top behind the headlight no doubt put there safely by the guy who did the last cambelt lol - so only missing one now

[Muttley]

That's a good idea to re drill the holes. I suppose it's a little bit worrying how strong it would be though. That said, a much better idea than what I could come up with. Any idea's how much the labour is worth to re do the job properly?

P.S I responded to some of the posts after a skinfull... sorry if I messed some of the posts up

Provided I can re-use the parts, £150. To weld and re-drill £80-100. It would be strong either way.

[whitemice]

I'd certainly allow Muttley to be amongst the select few allowed anywhere near my motor!!!!!

BARGAIN.

[ake]

I'd certainly allow Muttley to be amongst the select few allowed anywhere near my motor!!!!!

BARGAIN.

We know Muttley would do it right, so yeah definitely a bargain

[AlanN]

Off topic a bit, I'd be interested in what your van looks like! LWB's are few and far between, even seems to me there are more county versions than standard ones. Hope you get this problem sorted out