Citroën AZU | If You Don’t Try Anything, You Can’t Fail… 

I commend you for trying. No shame to replace the bent part.

Ha! As soon as I saw the start of the video, I immediately thought "Laser level!" They have more uses than just making straight lines for tiling and door frames.

While it would be possible to start cutting out the thin metal and replacing it with new sections, the age of the chassis and not knowing if any other problematically thin areas exist, it's definitely going to be a much safer option (both in time, frustration and of course driver!) to go with a new chassis, though the cost of one for the AZU, that's another issue... :S

A very ingenious approach but that chassis does look compromised. If you can replace the front outrigger it may be worth a try.

Good use of the laser level. I’ve used mine on motorcycle work, definitely a boon! But I’d say the most likely cause of that bend and damage on the LHS front is solely down to a crash - or more than one… I doubt you did any of it. Brake fluid is a pain when it’s leaking out of sight like that. The 2CV and its derivatives are funny old things but a wonderful piece of design and engineering. Looks like a new chassis then? Sometimes things just wear out beyond saving. Still watching with interest! Les in UK 🇬🇧

The chassis is gone, you tried but i wouldn't spend more time. There are new chassis available. It was a good attempt.

Seppo it now seems you also have a BOTTLE JACK addiction too 😂, how many bottle jacks can one man need 😁.

I once changed a (1986) 2CV chassis because it was bent at exactly the same spot. Not caused by an accident, but just bent by use… nice try Seppo (very ingenious!) but this chassis is gone. Once you put the body over it, the un-originality won’t show. Take a deep breath and get a new chassis

Worth a try for sure, but safety first. So replacement, I think, is the best choice.

It was definitely worth trying. If anything it made for an interesting video!

You need an aiming bench to straighten out the frame. I'll bet there are viewers of your channel who can help you a hand by letting you use their aiming bank. After it is aimed well just reinforce the frame well. So you the viewer can help Seppo out? Thank you.

Toast. If you put this in a jig it's going to be ripped apart. New chassis looks like the sensible choice. You can always just keep the original chassis with the vehicle.

As a theoretical experiment I can see trying to massage it a bit more, but to actually use it in the car, I would just replace it. If it was just being bent that is one thing, but in addition to the rust I think it would just be a disservice to longterm life of the car. Sure it would not be original, but a new frame with an aged body would be the prefered combination to me since you have the looks but not the downside of the 70 year old questionable structural portions.

Honestly I'd go for a full new chassis, since it might be far beyond possible repair. Not a question of saving time and money but playing on the safe side.

Ingenious pulling mechanism though. Top marks for effort!

A new frame can be optical made old by using paint techniques and rust paint like spots and along the edges. Underneath all stays in tip top shape.

That was a very nice try with the laser level. I would say to try and see if the front piece can be replaced, go for it otherwise get the new frame for it. These frames were built for liteness and a certain flexibility so the metal is thin. Look at it this way, at least you can try and improve your welding and fabricating skills on this frame. If it doesn't work then get the new one.

Whst you have is a bent chassis and rusted, thin metal.....you are been very considerate in your repair.

If you take out the engine and gearbox, which is quite easy, you can then take off the complete swingarm/steering assembly (4 big bolts) in one go. That will give you a much better view of the state of the frame. There are reinforcement plates behind the spots where the 4 big bolts goes through the frame and behind them there are usually rust. I believe it's possible to repair it, but it will probably be a very 'dusty' and laborious job. All the bent pieces should preferably be substituted for new 'parts' as they will probably have lost a lot of their original 'geometrical' strength. The steel is of a very thin gauge and welding it to modern thicker steel will also be a challenge - I've done it... 😰 (Also, while I remember, when you get to the body; Note that the A, B and C-pillars are not welded to the sill, they are brass soldered. Very smart solution as that keeps the steel 'soft' =not brittle, and much less prone to brake or even rust). Thanks for sharing! 👍

Amazing effort. Well done! Even if not successful.

You are a hero. It was worth trying!

No harm in trying

I'm no expert, but that looks a relatively simple shaped section to cut out weld new metal in? Perhaps with a section from another dead chassis. Surely less hassle than swapping the chasis over. I know you hate cleaning stuff but I'd give the whole lot a jet wash in case there's other bits like that!

It was certainly worth a go but better safe than sorry. It wouldn't take much to really fold the front end in an accident now. I wouldn't want to be in it if that happened.

In my opinion, the concept of originality disappears the moment the vehicle needs a replacement of an important part, from that moment on, everything is part of the vehicle's history, as well as the non-original wheel arch that you want to keep because It is part of the history of the vehicle, a new chassis is also going to be part of the history, in general the truly original vehicles are those that did not have much use and even then they will always need a replacement if you want to use them, if the vehicle had a life, sooner or later it will need a spare part and it will lose its "originality" and that's fine, you have to do everything possible to keep it running in good condition and not become obsessed with the originality which in the end can ruin the vehicle, something original in poor condition is also useless and is not in original condition, it is worn out and needs replacement, if it is going to be used and needs a replacement, you have to put that replacement in it and in the future that replacement will be part of its history, Nothing lasts forever, I understand that it is a shame to remove something original for a replacement, but that's how things are, they wear out, they break and eventually they have to be replaced, especially if they are an important and structural component.

I really see the point of repair rather then buy new. I also am not very able to see the right picture of the situation. But: what about cut the damaged area and weld fresh new steel?

the original 2cv chassis is quite weak, even compared to that of the renault 4L. i remember in the past i have seen alot of used citroens with the chassis bent in the front section. even a little corrosion is enough to make it crumble new ones are reinforced. i think the metal guy do hammer the area to release the stress.

I would change the chassis and not sweat for the originality, the body has enough patina to compensate A galvanised chassis a like 1000€ and it will make your life easier

I am only about 5.30 in, but... If the reading number is smaller, 5 and a bit...then that part is higher It appears (at this point) that you are trying to bend "it" the wrong way. The left front needs to be raised...to make its reading/number smaller and match.

Success is going from failure to failure without loos of enthusiasm. ― Winston S. Churchill

For me it's simpel, I trade originality for safety anytime. The chassis is gone, buy a new galvanized one and the owner never need to think again.

12:30 The best way to check would be to go through old footage of the car that you have taken. There would be enough to see if this was done by you. Looking at it, this looks like to me it has been there a long time, I doubt very much that you did this. More likely from the original impact.

Seppo…..I think that chassis has been a chassis too long !!

Wouldn't really be very happy with that chassis. Apart from the already weakened and thin areas in the front corner you can be sure the rest of it won't be great. The car needs to be safe above all.

Is the chassis of this model of AZY the same as the 2CV chassis? Wondering if you can find someone who is doing a chassis change and has the old one that can supply the front part from their old one. You did also say that there were repair sections for these areas. Yes I know you have the Mehari chassis but using that would be a shame. I know the AZU isn't yours so I'm sure the owner has a say in this. Do your best but do it right.

Kom nu jeg vil se den diesel knallert motor 🤣🙈

I would not spend any more time on this and just go for a new chassis.

I think the frame is in bad chape its not your fault .9

Having restored many classics over the year I would cut the damaged area out allowing the chassis more flex, repair the damaged section & reweld it back in but in the case of the rotton area, I would make a repair piece, where it is bent behind the front axle it really needs heat to get it back to shape & maybe a smaller 'U' section put inside & a flat plate on the outside & wind it back straight

Nice try, but it's about 70 years old, thin, rusted, bent, cracked metal... it's not worth the risk of getting broken later on, possibly while driving or braking. The originality won't hurt much with a new one as you hardly see the car from underneath in normal use and the new will look like used in a few years anyway.

Get a new frame… They’re not expensive and safety is crucial

Chassis too far gone.