CHASSIS MODIFICATIONS 2-16 E URO C ARGO E URO 4 - 5 During welding earth the welding equipment directly to the piece that is to be welded in order to protect the electrical equipment (alternator, batteries). Ensure that the negative pole of the battery has been disconnected. On the inner side, reinforcing L-section flitches should be applied. These should be made of steel and have the same characteristics as the steel used for the chassis. The minimum dimensions are given in Figure 2.3 The reinforcements must only be fixed to the vertical web of the side member using welding beads, plug welds, bolts or rivets (Huck rivets may also be used).
The cross-section and the length of the weld bead, the number and distribution of the plug welds, bolts or rivets must be adequate to transmit the bending and shearing moment of the section. Operations before welding The instructions given below should be followed to ensure that welding is carried out correctly. - The surfaces of the leaf springs and air springs must be protected against weld splashes during welding. As part of the procedure it will be necessary to remove the paint and deoxidise the parts of the chassis that are affected by the welding operation as well as those parts which may have to be covered by possible reinforcements.
When work has been completed, the modified part must be protected with adequate rustproofing (see point 2.2). - Cut the side members with a diagonal or vertical cut. We recommend that the diagonal cut be used particularly for the section between the wheelbase. Cuts are not permitted in areas in which the profile of the side member as well as the chassis width change or in those where there is a high concentration of stresses (e.g. spring brackets). The cuts must not be made through the holes present in the side member (v. Figure 2.4).
Figure 2.4 NO NO YES 91446 YES - on the inner side of the side member give the parts that are to be joined a V-shaped chamfer of 60є along the entire length to be welded (v. Figure 2.5). Figure 2.5 91447 Stresses on the chassis Base - July 2006 Revi - June 2007 Print 603.93.431