General Havin' a go at welding my Panda!

[nathankershaw]

I have just bought a Panda CLX ie and after having the tracking and wheel balancing done is a really nice car to drive.
Now, I got a bit bored one day and as you do! lay on my back under the car to have a bit of a poke around, top confirm how solid my new purchase was!
I was kinda expecting it after reading the post on here, but found inner, outer sills and rear suspension mounts to be less than MOT friendly! I'm surprised it got through the last one actually, but there you go!

So down to machine mart, motorworld and B&Q and my kit is becoming more complete. I got a Clarkwe 135TE gas mig and loadsa other bits.

I couldn't get it high enough today lifting via the central rear jacking point coz the arm on my jack isn't long enough! So I'll get it hiogher tomorrow and start attacking!

The worst rust is on the inner sill right behind the rear suspension mount, I assume I'll have to attack it from the outer sill and then butt weld the section back in. I can't see how I can get in between the mount and the inner sill.

Anyway here goes with the pics.

 

[nathankershaw]

 

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[nathankershaw]

 

[Welsh Jon]

Hey there Nathan!

I'm just looking for a Panda 4x4 atm, but I have done the od bit of welding.

As I'm not in front of the car this might sound like a bit of a dull idea but it looks like you might end up taking stuff off to get at that rather lovely looking hole. (Bearing in mind I only dabble in car welding!)

Looking at the pictures you might end up:

* taking the lower arm off
* drilling out the spot welds on the bracket holding the lower arm in place (the half closer into the body anyway)
* then cleaning up and welding the plate on
* then weld back the bracket and put on the lower arm
* and appropriately paint and underseal to stop it happening again

(Always welding with another person around, and a fire extinguisher!)

*** though the major problem I would have here (having never done the job) is how would you know where to put the bracket back exactly?
I'd say take lots of pictures, use lots of reference points and measure everything very accurately (you could even make a jig?) - looks like the bracket is made in 2 parts, so aligning should still be done methodically but shouldn't be impossible. Though I'd still highly recommend that you get the alignment checked before and after the job is done though.

Failing that the sensible option might be to take your Panda to a car body shop.

Either way let us know how it goes and the best of luck!

 

[CaptainTuba]

Nathan

I've discovered the exact same problem on my Panda too by the rear suspension mount
It is a really awkward place to get to.

I'm going to work on fixing the sills and boot to get some practice in before I tackle the this problem.

Let me know how you get on.

Cheers C.T.
P.S. I've got the same welder as you too, so we can compare notes.

 

[Xsisley]

I REALLY DONT THINK THOSE PICS LOOK TOO BAD AT ALL.
hope it goes fine.

iv done both sills on 3 pandas now, and they were alot worse than that !
should be fine mate.

keep us posted.
aran.

 

[CaptainTuba]

Hi Aran

The stuff I'm worried about are the bits of metal rusted away in the picture in post #8. Where the inner sill the attaches to the suspension mount.
I'll have to look at the other side to what its like.

Did you follow the same method as suggested by Welsh Jon?

Cheers C.T.