Lower front cross member ?

[William123]

Hi there, my 1998 2.2 Espace has just failed the MOT with a corroded lower front cross member  , is this part welded or bolted ? thanks in advance, Bill. 

[BrianM]

They are bolted, Is this the on that holds the radiators in place? Never heard of a rusty suspension crossmember on the Espace

[William123]

Hi brianM, its rotten as a pear  , must be the sea air down here.  Any ideas where I can get replacement ?

[BrianM]

I'm on the south coast & find the cars from up north are worse as they have salt on the roads more during the winter!
I would check out the local breakers. They can be a bitch to get out as the nuts in the chassis will have corroded. You will have to get a spanner on them. They have cage nuts which helps with manufacture but not for us when you want to get them out! Its not a major job, but give yourself a weekend if you do it yourself.

[William123]

Located a secondhand one at the local breakers, going to have a look in the morning, Happy Easter ! 

[William123]

Located a secondhand one at the local breakers, going to have a look in the morning, Happy Easter ! 

Just got back from breakers, their cross member was just as bad as mine, wonder if I could bolt a piece of channel instead of original cross member ? 

[William123]

Hi, took the rusty cross member off, do you think this would buff out  

[BrianM]

You could try a bit of gaffer tape
So it is the radiator cross member, yes the do rust but I have never seen one as bad as yours!
Guess it will be an ebay job then.

[William123]

No go on web/Ebay, so going to make one out of loo roll and sticky backed plastic.    MOT man said it was part of the suspension ?

[age9000]

is this one any good ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RENAULT-ESPACE-FRONT-CROSS-MEMBER-BUMPER-BAR-97-02-/220810674144?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3369577fe0

says cross member in listing but dont know if same part you need

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/renault-grand-espace-2-2-dci-2001-breaking-front-cross-member-/170811620743?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27c52a7d87

listing has ended, but no one bid, so may stilll be available

[William123]

Hi age9000, thanks for the info, but the " bumper bar" is the wrong part and the 2.2Dci is too new to fit  . There was a "front cross member" on Ebay but it was the slam panel that carries the bonnet catch etc. So no joy there. I have decided to make my own out of 3mm plate and a bit of box section to stiffen it up. It does not do a great deal as the rads are fixed at the top and this part just locates the 2 bottom lugs. It odd that Matra galvanised the chassis legs which are in perfect condition and not the cross member which as you can see is a bit rotten  .

[BrianM]

Just look for anyone with spares for your model & message them, it's what I do!

[William123]

Cross member made and fitted, used a piece of 150mmx3mm plate and  some 30x30 box to give it some rigidity, all bolted up to original captive nuts, not beautiful but strong.