Hi Guys

When I refurb the IRS, I am thinking of having the IRS Cage 'Hot Dip Galvanized'

Will this work? Is this a good or really bad idea!

 

Um, Why??
I've never heard of such a thing. Chromed diffs yes. But galvanized?
(';')

 

How much price wise vs a rustproof coating simmilar to something like Por-15?
Soak it in Abnseth! You have what it can do! Uh, better not, she will be wobbeling around and will never track true!

 

Hi Elinor

It wouldn't be the first time, that I have done something like that, galvanizing stuff can be addictive!

 

In case you haven't gathered by now I suffer from OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder!)

Which is really good fun!

Because you never know the moment when to put the Brakes on!

Which as a matter of fact on my Jag is going to be Tomorrow!

Though having something Galvanized is just so fascinating that once it gets a hold of you its difficult to stop, which is a bit like people who go and get tattoos.

Which as an added bonus is also rust proofing as well and isn't nearly as expensive as most people think.

I really used to be into boats, a bit like ('Steve') but mine were made of Steel! and I got sick to death of painting it!

So I asked a galvanizing firm if they would hot dip it for me.

In case I forget to mention it, this boat was 40ft Long! and the guy at the Galvanizing Plant, seemed to think 'I was Two Slices Short of a Toaster!'

Which I took as a Massive Compliment!

The only problem being that it was far too long to get in the Tank, So I got the Gas Axe Out and cut it in half!

Then when it was done the GF's dad, just welded it all back together, then we put it in the Water and it Sank!

Not because of the Welding but because I forgot to put the plug in the bilge!

So Galvanizing an IRS Cage would be a walk in the Park!

 

Wow!

I would probably paint it. Get the heavy grime off with soap/water/pressure washer, have it media blasted, primed, and painted. Let the paint harden. Use quality materials and you should be good for decades.

If you want to step it up you could also have it powder coated! (After having my wheels powder coated, I'm itching for things to do next!)

 

lol!!
(';')

 

When you have something Galvanized, the finish is Amazing! and you don't even have to clean the rust off before you take the Stuff in, as it goes through a number of processes before it gets dipped in the Tank.

I've had so much stuff done, that we are on first name terms as such they tend to treat me in the most disparaging way, by saying something like 'I hope it's not another of your '*******' boats!'

They let me watch the Process start to finish! and its 'Steps back in Amazement' when it comes out of the Tank'

But the reason I wanted to get some advice on this 'Particular Item' is that there is no guarantee there will not be any distortion.

Although the process is a 'Dark Art' it's not an exact Science either and things can go wrong, to the point where your item can emerge all twisted distorted and ruined!

That doesn't happen often but depending on the Shape and size and thickness of the metal, some distortion even though minor often still occurs, so in the case of the IRS Cage.

If that's a Critical Factor, then it could be a non runner in more ways than one, though knowing me in any event I'll be tempted to give it a go!

 

Doesn't most of the rear suspension hang off the cage?

If it distorts, then the mounting points move.

If the mounting points move ... good luck getting it to drive straight.

Might be equivalent to soaking it in absinthe

 

You've spent all that time and money getting the car right; have the cage gold plated!

 

Hi Plums

I've never seen the 'Cage' close up, so its all a bit hypothetical at the moment, so I'll have to make an Executive Decision when I drop it out after the Summer, assuming I get her back on the road before then!

My Immediate problem is removing the Paper Elements from the Air Filters because while they are stuck in there, I cannot get the hinged doors off, to give me room to put the Lock Nuts on the Flexi Brake Hoses.

As for soaking stuff in Absinthe! Let's not go there!

 

That was in fact Plan 'B'

 

In that case I would definitely stay away from that process. There is very little adjustment in the rear suspension, which uses the cage as it's foundation. Some of the parts don't even have bushings, but instead ride on steel bearings that have virtually no compliance. The last thing you want to do is introduce any risk of distortion to the foundation of your IRS cage!

 

Yes! definite food for thought on that, so I might go for powder coating.

But I will get a much better idea, when I take it out.

 

Id powder coat it and call it a day

 

Perhaps I might just do that but as of yet I've never seen an LSD Close up.

 

I had my camper trailer tail gate hot dipped and it hasn't closed flush since.(it never looked as good as the rest of the trailer from new so I had some panel work done and re-dipped it.) It is a lot more sturdy than the IRS cradle I had on my garage floor 3 weeks ago. If you lie the IRS with the front or back flat on the ground you can distort it by simple push on the opposite side.
I would go with paint or powder coating if it were mine,it was a job and a half getting evreything back in without it being distorted.