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Just became an owner and need some advice

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Just became an owner and need some advice

Postby mickyhp2810 on Wed Jul 25, 2018 1:08 pm

Hi all,

I've just purchased a 1997 Frontera A (burgundy) 2.2Ti with 58K on the clock and 1 owner from new.

On the face of it it's a really honest car with engine, gearbox etc. totally smooth and pretty straight bodywork and interior.

I bought the car knowing the brakes needed some attention and front suspension ball joints as they were advisories on the MOT.

I also since noticed a leaky rear diff (failed cover) and leaky engine (failed rocker cover gasket).

Anyway, although I'm fairly handy with the spanners I gave it to my local mechanic that I trust to check it over and address the above.

Brakes, Suspension, Diff and oil leak are all pretty straightforward my issue is that there is a cross member below the radiator which I noticed looked a bit rotten but I didn't think was structural hence passing an MOT (although I'm sure there are plenty of dodgy MOT centres around) but I asked them to take a look.

The garage think it is structural and reckon about 5hrs labour plus the part (if they can get one).

My issue is I bought the car as seen and it was cheap (£900), the seller has agreed to knock a few quid off also but not return the vehicle.

I'm fully prepared to spend a few quid on it and I'm happy to sort the brakes, leaks, suspension but I wonder if anyone can shed an opinion on the chassis member (whether it is actually structural and if so whether I'm likely to find a part).

I work from home so I'm only gonna be using the car as a local runaround mainly so part of me thinks get the other bits done and take a risk (and keep an eye on) the cross member.

Hate for this to be my first post but any advice (however brutal) would be welcomed.

Thanks,
mickyhp2810
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Re: Just became an owner and need some advice

Postby robbie on Wed Jul 25, 2018 2:09 pm

Second hand for cross member unless you can make/ repair it.
If it's gone within the prescribed area of the body mount then it's a fail , if they see it.
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Re: Just became an owner and need some advice

Postby mickyhp2810 on Wed Jul 25, 2018 2:46 pm

Thanks for the info.

Is there a separate member that the radiator mounts to?

I've spoken to the MOT place that I use and he seems to think that it's not structural but obviously is important as it holds the rad.

Assuming that's the case I think I can get someone to fabricate a replacement as looking around I think I'll struggle to get the correct part.
mickyhp2810
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Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2018 12:19 pm
Model: 2.2i 5dr
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Region: East Anglia



Re: Just became an owner and need some advice

Postby JEOH on Wed Jul 25, 2018 5:24 pm

Image

This 'crossmember' is a part of the bodywork and can be welded as shown above. A few years ago here someone posted an image of his repair - replaced the whole front-mask took from a donor truck.
Kind regards,
Ian

Sorry for my pigeonenglish.
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Re: Just became an owner and need some advice

Postby mickyhp2810 on Wed Jul 25, 2018 10:19 pm

That's great. Thanks for the pic.
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Re: Just became an owner and need some advice

Postby mickh on Thu Jul 26, 2018 9:57 am

Probably worth getting in touch with Greg to see if he can cut one from a donor vehicle.
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Re: Just became an owner and need some advice

Postby snapper on Fri Jul 27, 2018 10:42 pm

As already mentioned, get in touch with Greg and get a section that's been cut out of a 'doner' (or go the whole hog and just change the whole body..... :shock: )

It would help if you could post a few pics of the problem, we could then be a bit more 'focused' in any advice/help offered. In respect to what you may see as a total loss on a panel or structural section we may (probably have) already been there and sorted it by some patch repairs. It will also help Greg cut the right bits out if he can see just what's needed.


As for the rear diff cover, catch it early they can be easily repaired, Greg had quite a line going with those once. Don't know if he still does them, if not then ask around on here you never know what folks are falling over in their sheds!


Finally, if you cant weld already.... You've just bought a Fronty, so it's time to learn. They aren't as bad as others (disco for instance) for rot, but they are getting on now and if used properly will get a battering!
This posting may have been helpfull, on the other hand probably not... Either way, I may have had drink when posting it in which case it's probably not as helpfull as it could have been

Work safe, and remember all technical problems can be resolved with a hammer, the trick is knowing where to hit it and how big a hammer to use (I often find it may also help to have a spare bit in the shed to replace the bit you have just mullered ;) )

Work in Progress (or not as the case may be) I give you.... 'O-no' the truck.

Comments on 'O-no' the truck may be left here

Work in Progress (or not as the case may be) I give you.... 'Truck'

Comments on 'Truck' the truck may be left here

Owning a 2.8 is a hobby in it's self...
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Re: Just became an owner and need some advice

Postby mickyhp2810 on Wed Aug 01, 2018 1:43 pm

Hi,

I now have the car back so will take a few pics and add them then contact Greg.

The diff issue was just a gasket in the end so that is now done and seems to have done the trick.

I can't weld (yet :-P) but I do know someone local who can and should be able to help me out.

Previously I had a Range Rover P38 so I'm very used to fixing things although with that it was generally electronic.

Thanks again for the advice.
mickyhp2810
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Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2018 12:19 pm
Model: 2.2i 5dr
Registration Year: 1997/R
Region: East Anglia



Re: Just became an owner and need some advice

Postby mickyhp2810 on Wed Aug 01, 2018 1:53 pm

The pics can be seen here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hskjmgo2hxdj ... 39ULa?dl=0

02 shows the main crack.

Please can you let me know Greg's username.

Thanks,

Michael
mickyhp2810
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Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2018 12:19 pm
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Re: Just became an owner and need some advice

Postby JEOH on Wed Aug 01, 2018 9:31 pm

Kind regards,
Ian

Sorry for my pigeonenglish.
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My doctor says I have to invest time in SPORT
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Posts: 359
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Location: Germany - Heide in "the real nort"
Model: 2.0i Sport 3dr
Registration Year: 1995/N
Vehicle Name: Gentile
Modifications: EX-GODZILLA (1995) 2010-2018 RiP
EX GRÜNSTREIFEN (1997) 2013-2019
EX-GIGANTE (1998) 2018-2022
G E N T I L E (1998) 2022 - today
General Grabber AT2, Soft-Top

GERRI Land Rover Range Rover Evoque TD4 2011
G-Wagon Mercedes 300GE 1990
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Re: Just became an owner and need some advice

Postby mickyhp2810 on Thu Aug 02, 2018 9:39 am

Many Thanks Ian
mickyhp2810
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Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2018 12:19 pm
Model: 2.2i 5dr
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Region: East Anglia




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