Rear Chassis Leg design

[alewis]

Does anyone know why there is a dip in the top of early rear chassis legs ?
(And a spacer on the body to fill the gap ?!?)

(As seen in malcolms upside down photo
http://www.renault4.co.uk/gordini-inner-susp/ground.jpg )

As im planning to replace the rusty rear legs on my early van with some new replacements I have - the new replacements are like the later GTL ones in that the top edge is flat / straight.

Reason why im planning to replace rather than repair are:
The base and sides of the leg have gone all the way inside the vehicle
The back end of it is bent - expected accident damage

Wondering what peoples thoughts were?

Regards,
Andrew

 

[alewis]

Someone must know !

 

[Snoopy1974]

Someone must know !

I wonder the same thing as you alewis, I asked to french people in R4 4L forum but I had no answer... the only thing I've been heard sometimes, is that this type of chassis are R6 ones...

 

[malcolm]

Don't know why they put the dip on earlier cars. Maybe they used the extra bit attached to the body as a location point during manufacture?

The later chassis can be used on early cars if you remove that bit from the boot floor. I kept mine because it is cool.

 

[alewis]

hehe, I was tempted to put the dip into these new chassis legs i got (The ones from steve) but not sure its worth the bother - keeping it is one thing replicating it is bordering on insanity

Also I am curious does the dip cause sealing issues with the body to chassis ?

 

[Rutger-peer]

Also I am curious does the dip cause sealing issues with the body to chassis ?

Certainly doesn't help... My current chassis also has the dips and I haven't been able to figure out what they're for. They do however give you a good opportunity to get your fuelline to your fueltank without having to drill holes in your chassis legs.