ok new problem the van passenger side wheel has developed a lean the wheel is leaning over have had the bearings checked ,fine, had the bushes replaced , fine , but they discovered that the suspension is cracked they have welded it up but only for local use not recommend for long hauls haven't pulled it out or anything as not sure its going to be worth it ( at this stage ready to scrape the whole thing )
any body out there replaced their independent suspension ? is it something that can be done by a amateur ? any idea of costs ?
have even thought of pulling it out and putting springs and a axle in ? could this be done ?
Definitely cannot be done by amateur - will require specialist welding and heat treatment. Normally a good suspension system - although seen a couple lately that are of Chinese origin in new vans and campers - Disaster waiting to happen - Suggest you run in to your local Pedder's or similar.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
Suspension. Brakes. Steering. You don't know. Don't touch.
They the ones that kill you.
Get specialist check.
pS. What make of Suspension.
If not welded to chassis, fairly easy to replace with leaf Assy.
Just make sure left to right alignment smack on.
Some welded up. Some welded to H\Duty angle
and just welded\bolted on as a complete assy.
Small. Light van and deciding to change..
Think about the rubber\Stub axle system.
We used it on boats. really good and soft riding.
and that was over 40 yrs ago, so would be better nowadays.
enjoy.
Depends on many many things. Is the current suspension unit part of a subframe that is installed to the separate van chassis, or is the carrier integral to the chassis? Even if its integral, there is not necessarily anything precluding a competent amateur person from installing hangers (and the requisite supporting structures) on the chassis, and hanging simple eye to eye leaf spring solid axle suspension. But that is an awfully big step to consider without knowing the whole situation first.
When you say "the suspension is cracked" - WHAT is cracked? The subrame, swingarm mount/s, swingarm....? Suspension system are made up of a number of components - just wondering which component/s are cracked.
Any further information you can provide is a good starting point.
As to welding being performed by an "amateur"....kinda depends on the skill of the amateur more than anything else. You won't find many (any???) qualified/ticketed welders at places like Pedders. (I should be clear in saying that I am not suggesting that this work can be undertaken by just anyone, simply that there are plenty of exceptionally skilled welders out there in the real world who are technically "amateur")
Step 1 - gather all the information to understand the situation.
(One would be a little remiss to suggest exploratory brain surgery when someone complained of a recurring headache, without investigating further what are possible causes of the headache.)
-- Edited by ants_oz on Monday 16th of January 2017 10:07:08 AM
I would say it's not JUST a matter of welding . More a job of strengthening or re-engineering its strength ? I would double the bracket or subframe thickness or adding extra brackets ? Depending on what has cracked ? Generally welding cracks is not enough . The issue is STILL there !' Maybe a sub frame welded and bolted in ? Not enough info ., Weight saving is the issue . I'm old .. What was all that bad with leaf springs and beam axle ? Add shocks to strong attachment points . They are near bullet proof !! Yes can have clearance issues ? Just use high profile tyres on bigger rims .. If your going real bush .
ok new problem the van passenger side wheel has developed a lean the wheel is leaning over have had the bearings checked ,fine, had the bushes replaced , fine , but they discovered that the suspension is cracked they have welded it up but only for local use not recommend for long hauls haven't pulled it out or anything as not sure its going to be worth it ( at this stage ready to scrape the whole thing )
David, you have been a bit short on details. What is the make, model, approx year of manufacture and your location (area of suburb will do?) If you are dealing with a Viscount Ultralite then there are things you have to watch. For instance their chassis can not be welded. If you are in or around Adelaide there are some repairers over there that may be able to assist.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
The next one of those Ultra lites we MIG or bolt gussets onto won't be the first.
That chassis is what broke that company.
They were a good general van until he imported those for costs.
Aus.
No van much over 12ft can be an OFFroader anyway.
in the real world.
A lot of vans chassis ponts and drawbars should be reinforced with gussets and doublers.
Either Around or alongside existing.
On some new, as well as older vans.Built to price is the main problem.
Sections themselves extruded too light, Should be next size up in thickness.
When they get into cast suspension units though, the preheating and cast rods come in.
That's normally tradie level.
I learnt my welding with the "Stovies" on Pipelines out in easements.
They ARE the best continuous welders in world. Every inch welded and X-Rayed.
and in those days it was all 24in rods and a TA up and downing on DC sets.
The welders Up to their necks in mud a lot of the time.
"any body out there replaced their independent suspension ? is it something that can be done by a amateur ? any idea of costs ?
have even thought of pulling it out and putting springs and a axle in ? could this be done ?"
1. I'm no mechanic & I found it very easy. 2 bolts holding the swinging arm, & insert the spring into where it fits. Then, do up the shackles on the chain - Bingo! The one I replaced was trailing arm suspension.
2. a couple hundred dollars, plus labour.
3. I can't see why not! As long as there's somewhere suitable to weld the new spring hangars to on the chassis. I'd use a qualified engineer for that job if I were doing it though, coz my welding isn't brilliant!
Mutley, we have not found out what van the OP has. Also you did not specify what suspension you added to your van and what van you have. What you have done may not be applicable to the OP's van.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
I had the suspension replaced by Preston Chassis the original supplier of the chassis, there was a design fault and the axles started to break away from the welds, the van is a Windsor built 1996 the cost was about $2000 approx 6 years ago.
Cheers
David
