Thanks to help from my neighbour, a keen stock car driver, I have repaired the AVH van chassis today. When I purchased the chassis in Feb' 2005 I transported it home from South Wales (250 miles) and started to clean it up with a pressure washer. I was surprised to find that the very rear section of the chassis' top hat profile was broken behind the U bolt on the passenger side where the quarter leaf spring meets the chassis. The reason I was surprised was that it was completely broken and the only reason it had not fallen off on the long journey was the amount of oily dirt that covered the entire chassis was like tar and had held it in place.

My neighbour's stock car activities means that he has need of welding equipment on a regular basis. With his help I welded the piece back on with his MIG welding equipment and ground down the welds with angle grinders.

While it is not a professional job I am sure it will be fine, given the area will never be seen once the body is on. The lesson learnt today it to clean the piece back to clean metal in a much bigger area either side of the line of the weld otherwise impurities get into the weld.

The chassis can now be cleaned, primed, painted and reassembled. Time to phone Ian Dunsford to get a pair or new rear springs!