OffRoader
Member Since: 23 Aug 2005
Location: North Extreme
Posts: 120
  
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Hi,
I've been wondering that why are the body frame bars underneith the car full of holes. Those holes just mean that frame will get full of mud and salt, offering great environment for ROST to proceed.
Maybe guys in LR strategy office have been thinking that in this way they solve one of the key problems of Land Rover i.e. not enough renewal. Are they trying to shorten the average lifetime of Land Rovers down from 21 years to normal 6-7 years. When Disco3 gets the frame full of mud, it will be rosty in 3-4 years and the whole car would be ready for termination sooner than later. 
Has anyone put something to fill those damn holes ?
Offroader -- too many modifications made to my Disco 3 to be listed in here --
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 5th Oct 2005 4:15 pm |
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BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
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Interesting, but it may be to allow the chassis to drain and breath and indeed prolong its life, but will have to take a closer look.
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| 5th Oct 2005 4:24 pm |
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simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
  
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Or save weight !
-s
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| 5th Oct 2005 9:47 pm |
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BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
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simon wrote:Or save weight !
-s
Don't think its for that Simon. It would have to be a honeycomb to save weight on the D3.
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| 5th Oct 2005 10:09 pm |
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simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
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But holes mean no metal which means no weight where the holes are 
thus lighter than no holes.
-s
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| 5th Oct 2005 10:14 pm |
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BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
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simon wrote:But holes mean no metal which means no weight where the holes are
thus lighter than no holes.
-s
Yep, realise that, but if you drill or bore holes in a chassis as big as the D3, it would have to be like a honey comb to benefit and I don't think there are quite that many holes in the chassis.
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| 5th Oct 2005 10:22 pm |
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simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
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Are you sure... have you counted the holes in your D3 ?
-s
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| 5th Oct 2005 11:55 pm |
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OffRoader
Member Since: 23 Aug 2005
Location: North Extreme
Posts: 120
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Actual question is that why didn't LR put rubber cover to those holes in the factory to prevent mud to flow in ? Once mud is inside, it will never get dry again so corrosion goes on.
I did yesterday install about 20 rubber covers and will today buy more.
The right sizes seem to be about
- 12 pcs 12 mm
- 10 pcs 23 mm
- 10 pcs 15 mm
- 6 pcs 25 mm
- 2 pcs 27 mm
but might need even more, frames are full of holes..
I plan to do rust protection and these rubbers before getting into Finnish winter with pickled roads and before 1st time serius off roading with D3.
Offroader -- too many modifications made to my Disco 3 to be listed in here --
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| 6th Oct 2005 6:44 am |
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BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
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OffRoader wrote:Actual question is that why didn't LR put rubber cover to those holes in the factory to prevent mud to flow in ? Once mud is inside, it will never get dry again so corrosion goes on.
I did yesterday install about 20 rubber covers and will today buy more.
The right sizes seem to be about
- 12 pcs 12 mm
- 10 pcs 23 mm
- 10 pcs 15 mm
- 6 pcs 25 mm
- 2 pcs 27 mm
but might need even more, frames are full of holes..
I plan to do rust protection and these rubbers before getting into Finnish winter with pickled roads and before 1st time serius off roading with D3.
Offroader
OK, challenge taken, this is a question to ask Mole I think?
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| 6th Oct 2005 7:57 am |
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Winger
Site Moderator
Member Since: 15 Feb 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 3428
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All the Land Rovers I've had have all had chassis with various holes in them. The two in the shed that are now 52 years old are no different. Those chassis have some external rust, but are completely sound.
I would counsel that blocking the holes up (or at least all of them) is a tactical error. The chassis members are hot dipped, etc. providing excellent deep rust protection, and blocking all the holes will not allow the hollow frame to breathe. The holes in the base of the chassis rails are obviously drain holes, but take a look at the bigger holes in the sides - you will find that they have been deliberately (and quite crudely) made, leaving the cut-out tab bent back inside the frame.....stick you finger in and have a wiggle 
Imagine the scenario in chilly Finland, with your chassis members full of water and sub-zero temperatures. Ice is strong stuff, probably stronger than Lode Lane welds........... 
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| 6th Oct 2005 9:19 am |
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BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
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Well, much more eloquently put than me, but thats what I said folks  The chassis are made by GKN, who have been making chassis for many years. Sorry guys as you know, I know them as well and have just spoken to Steve and the answer is leave them open.
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| 6th Oct 2005 9:29 am |
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Winger
Site Moderator
Member Since: 15 Feb 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 3428
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Design and manufacturer comments notwithstanding, as confirmed by  , I will go a step further.....if you block the holes up, get a chassis rust or other problem, you might well find that you have invalidated your warranty.
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| 6th Oct 2005 9:33 am |
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BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
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Maybe OffRoader you should reconsider and debung your chassis 
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| 6th Oct 2005 9:36 am |
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KL
Member Since: 16 Jun 2005
Location: Gilling, nr York
Posts: 713
 
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They are 'drain holes'. I think the clue is in the name....
It would be inviting problems to bung these up, not least invalidation of warranty. Discovery 3 tdv6 7 seat Buckingham Blue
Had it since new - sold Jun 17 after 12 years and 214,000 miles
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| 6th Oct 2005 9:46 am |
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OffRoader
Member Since: 23 Aug 2005
Location: North Extreme
Posts: 120
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Good points, thanks. Anyway, the frame is so thick that during first 3 years it will remain solid. Great if Defender has really had the same construction during all those years, no problem then.
Also Toyota Land Cruiser have those holes, I have a friend who has put rubber to close those - we'll take a bier or two and think what to do now.. -- too many modifications made to my Disco 3 to be listed in here --
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| 6th Oct 2005 2:54 pm |
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