Tangerine Racing - Suspension Ear Re-Inforcement

Having re-inforced the outer suspension console, I needed to do the inner one - often referred to as the suspension 'ear'.

When I cleaned it up I realised there were a few rust holes which I welded up before welding on the re-inforcement piece.

This is the part from Tangerine Racing. Cleaned up and weld primered..

Here it is welded into place and 'tidied up' with the grinder post welding. Not the easiest thing to weld neatly! But it works...

Before painting it with Epoxy Primer I gave it a final going over with a cup brush on the grinder..and look what I unearthed..a lovely big hole on the underside of the ear. Had I not found it I suppose the suspension could have folded under heavy loading ...

 

...so I closed it up with with what could be described as a welded 'dog's dinner'! To be fair it was really tricky welding in this tight corner, especially upside-down. I think that should be strong enough now!

I should just mention, I also decided to weld all around the edges of the ear for extra rigidity.

More holes on the other side of the ear, welded closed..

..and the whole thing gets a liberal slap of primer, ready for the next 40 years.