Rear structural integrity

[keownk1]

I've had a 24v 164LS for about 12 months, and it's been a pleasure to drive it. The car is from the "salt belt," so I am working on replacement of the rear suspension parts including all four control arms, the cross member and shocks.

The job is relatively straight forward as explained in the service manual, and I have sufficient experience and the tools necessary to R&R the parts.

The trailing arms and bushings look pretty good, so I'm planning to just remove them and and refinish with heavy-duty weather proofing.

There are two plates of approximately triangular shape on each side where the trailing arms bolt to the frame, and herein lies my question. There is a lot of rust on the plates and the floor pan. It should be easy to remove, scale and paint the ones that bolt on, but I'm worried about the frame and the other plates that are attached to it.

I haven't started the dismount yet, so I'm not positive about how these plates are supported on the top side. The parts manual is not very clear, but there must be some members bolted or welded to the frame in order keep things solid.

I think the floor pan is the outter most part and it's pretty badly rusted in this area. The frame seems to have some surface rust, and the support members are in unknown condition.

It's doubtful that replacement parts are available, so some custom metal work is likely. I'd appreciate it if someone can give me clue as to the shape of the support member, maybe by citing the body parts manual page 70018.

Thanks,

Ken

South Florida

'86 Spider
'87 Milano Platinum
'88 Milano Gold
'91 Spider
'95 164LS

[Alfissimo Int.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by keownk1 I've had a 24v 164LS for about 12 months, and it's been a pleasure to drive it. The car is from the "salt belt," so I am working on replacement of the rear suspension parts including all four control arms, the cross member and shocks. The job is relatively straight forward as explained in the service manual, and I have sufficient experience and the tools necessary to R&R the parts. The trailing arms and bushings look pretty good, so I'm planning to just remove them and and refinish with heavy-duty weather proofing. There are two plates of approximately triangular shape on each side where the trailing arms bolt to the frame, and herein lies my question. There is a lot of rust on the plates and the floor pan. It should be easy to remove, scale and paint the ones that bolt on, but I'm worried about the frame and the other plates that are attached to it. I haven't started the dismount yet, so I'm not positive about how these plates are supported on the top side. The parts manual is not very clear, but there must be some members bolted or welded to the frame in order keep things solid. I think the floor pan is the outter most part and it's pretty badly rusted in this area. The frame seems to have some surface rust, and the support members are in unknown condition. It's doubtful that replacement parts are available, so some custom metal work is likely. I'd appreciate it if someone can give me clue as to the shape of the support member, maybe by citing the body parts manual page 70018. Thanks, Ken South Florida '86 Spider '87 Milano Platinum '88 Milano Gold '91 Spider '95 164LS