If you plan to reinforce the body or its components, it’s crucial to do it properly. Whether you’re preparing the car for motorsport or simply want to prevent future issues, proper technique ensures the repair will be durable and won’t create new problems.
This article provides practical tips on the correct process of welding reinforcements to ensure lasting strength and safety.
Corrosion and cracking around subframe or control arm mounts are common issues due to the high stresses in these areas. Reinforcements help prevent damage such as control arm tearing and improve vehicle stability and handling — especially important in performance driving or under heavy use.
Below you’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to prepare the car, perform the welding, and install the reinforcement kit properly.
Notes:
Before starting, remove the rear suspension, rear subframe, and exhaust system.
Warning:
Before welding, disconnect the ECU and battery to prevent electrical damage.
The welder must be grounded directly to the chassis, not to suspension components.
It is strongly recommended to remove the fuel tank and cover all fuel lines to reduce fire risk during welding.
Step-by-step process:
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Remove all suspension and fuel system components.
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Position the reinforcement parts in the correct locations on the chassis and mark the areas that need to be cleaned.
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In the marked areas (and about 2 cm beyond), remove all paint coatings and any rust. Use an angle grinder with a wire or nylon brush.
Note: Any remaining coating or rust in the welding zone will cause weld defects and weaken the joint.
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For additional corrosion protection, apply welding primer (e.g., FORCH L235) to the cleaned chassis area and the inner side of the reinforcement plates.
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Use four bolts/studs (M12x1.5 and M10) to position and tighten the reinforcement kit to the chassis.
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The reinforcement plates include several holes that do not align with any existing mounts — these are designed for spot welding to connect the reinforcements to the chassis.
Note: To prevent deformation from heat, follow the correct welding sequence.
6.1 First, tack the reinforcement plates before they heat up. Apply several small tack welds across the area in this order:
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Slots around the mounting holes
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Spot weld holes
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Perimeter of the part
6.2 Then perform the final welds in the same sequence.
When welding the perimeter (step 3), a continuous weld is not required — intermittent welding is sufficient.
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After welding all elements, grind down any weld points protruding from the mounting surfaces so they are flat.
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Clean off all welding residue and burnt paint.
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Apply primer and corrosion protection thoroughly across the repaired area.
Summary
Proper surface preparation and welding are critical steps when reinforcing the chassis.
By doing the job carefully, you’ll avoid structural weakening and improve suspension stability and durability.
Precision surface prep, correct weld order, and proper corrosion protection directly affect the longevity of the modification.
If you already have welding experience, the process should be straightforward.
If not, consult a professional welder — correctly installed reinforcements are an investment that extends your car’s lifespan and prevents serious damage in the future.
If you have questions or want to share your experience, leave a comment — we’re always open to exchanging knowledge and insights.
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