The spar is the load-bearing part of the body, therefore it must be in perfect condition, since the rest of the body parts are attached to it. If the side member becomes unusable, it should be replaced immediately.
Necessary
- - a set of new side members;
- - tools;
- - anti-corrosion compound;
- - welding machine;
- - Bulgarian.
Instructions
Step 1
Start with a thorough examination. To do this, either drive the car onto an overpass or onto a lift. Thoroughly wash the underside of the car to get rid of stuck-on dirt that interferes with the condition of the body parts. If the spar has undergone slight corrosion, then it should not be welded. It will not work to weld the new spar as it was done at the factory. Some technical characteristics will be lost. Therefore, a complete replacement of the side member should only be done as a last resort.
Step 2
Strip the area of corrosion to bare metal. Make a patch if necessary. It must be made of solid metal. Carefully weld the patch to the scraped area of the side member. Welding should only be carried out along the spar to minimize the loss of strength. Carefully treat the brewed place with anticorrosive material to prevent the appearance of new corrosion.
Step 3
Purchase new side members if the old ones have become completely unusable. They are usually sold as a kit. It is best to change the side members in pairs. Find out how the power elements are attached to your car. On older models, the side members are removable, which makes it easy to replace them. On older cars, the side members are not only welded to the body, but also bolted on. From time to time they start to rust. Rusty bolts are almost impossible to remove. If the side members are bolted on your car, then just cut off the caps with a grinder.
Step 4
Carefully cut off the old side member exactly along the line of contact with the body. Scrape under the side member to bare metal. Align it carefully so that there is no distortion when installing a new side member. Any slightest misalignment in the future will negatively affect the geometry of the body. Screw the new side member in place of the old one if there are bolt holes. New bolts should also be used. After that, carefully weld the side member body with longitudinal seams.
Step 5
Examine the entire bottom for corrosion. If there is one, then clean the metal in problem areas. Apply several coats of anticorrosive. Learn to apply an anti-corrosion compound at least once a year. This will allow you to avoid unexpected body repairs in the future.
