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Mitsubishi Delica L300 factory workshop and repair manual download

Tools & materials
- Basic hand tools: sockets (metric), breaker bar, ratchet, extensions, combination wrenches, pliers.
- Torque wrench.
- Floor jack and 2 heavy-duty jack stands (rated for vehicle weight); wheel chocks.
- Spring compressor (internal or external designed for MacPherson springs).
- Angle grinder with cutting and flap discs, 1/8–1/4" cutoff wheel.
- Spot-weld drill or carbide bit, nibblers, hammer & dolly.
- MIG welder (or TIG) with appropriate wire & shielding gas OR oxy-acetylene if no MIG (MIG preferred).
- Drill and drill bits, metal files, bench grinder.
- Sheet metal (1.2–2.0 mm steel recommended), pre-formed patch panels if available.
- Weld-through primer, zinc-rich primer, seam sealer, paint, underbody coating.
- Rust converter, degreaser, clean rags.
- Replacement fasteners (top strut nuts, washers), new strut mount/bearing assemblies, new studs or weld-in nuts / rivet nuts as required.
- Safety PPE: welding helmet, gloves (welding and mechanic), eye protection, respirator (for grinding/paint), ear protection.

Safety precautions (critical)
- Work on a level surface. Chock rear wheels. Use jack stands under rated lift points — never rely on the jack alone.
- Disconnect battery when welding or working near electrical components. Remove/cover fuel/AC lines if located near work area.
- Compress springs only with a purpose-built compressor, inspected and rated. Follow manufacturer instructions. Keep hands clear; wear eye protection.
- Use welding PPE and respirator for grinding fumes. Keep a fire extinguisher handy; remove flammable material from the work area.
- When cutting/welding around wiring, brake/ABS lines, fuel lines: remove or protect them and unclip harnesses out of the way.

What is being done
Repairing rotten/damaged strut tower metal: remove strut, cut away corroded tower metal, fabricate/weld in replacement metal or reinforcement plate, restore top mount attachment (studs/nuts) and corrosion protection, reinstall components and torque to spec, then align wheels.

Step-by-step procedure

1) Preparation & access
- Park, chock, raise front end with floor jack, and support on two stands under subframe or pinch welds (manufacturer support points).
- Remove front wheels.
- Remove items blocking access to strut tops: battery and tray, airbox/intake, any brake-fluid reservoirs or wiring harness brackets over the towers. Delica L300 commonly has battery/airbox near strut towers—remove for clearance.
- Clean the area to expose the full strut tower top and surrounding metal.

2) Support suspension and remove strut assembly
- Support the lower control arm/hub with a secondary jack so it won't drop when bolts are removed.
- Remove sway bar endlink(s) or brake line brackets as needed to free the strut.
- Remove lower strut-to-knuckle bolts (usually 2 large bolts). Have a helper hold the hub or use support jack to keep alignment.
- At the top, remove the strut top nuts (3) while supporting the strut from below. If nuts are seized, apply penetrating oil and use impact or breaker carefully.
- Remove the whole strut assembly from the vehicle. If you plan to reuse the mount or inspect bearings, use spring compressor and disassemble indoors on bench.

3) Assess damage & mark cut area
- Inspect the strut tower both top and underside for corrosion spread. Delica L300 often has inner and outer tower panels; rust may bridge both.
- Mark the area of rotten metal to be cut out. Cut beyond all rust to get to clean, solid metal — you must remove all compromised metal.

4) Prepare for cutting
- Remove any wiring clips, brake hoses, and anything that could be damaged. Cover nearby components.
- Use spot-weld cutter to remove factory spot welds if replacing inner panels. Use angle grinder/cut-off wheel to remove outer rusty sections. Keep cut edges even; use a piece of cardboard to mock-up patch shape.

5) Fabricate patch / reinforcement
- Cut replacement patch from 1.2–2.0 mm steel to match profile. If inner and outer panels both rotted, fabricate a reproducing inner panel or a reinforcement plate that ties into surrounding structure.
- If you can’t replicate factory double-skin, make a reinforcement plate that provides equivalent clamping area for the strut mount; weld it to surrounding solid structure. Use thicker plate (1.6–2.0 mm) for reinforcement where studs will fasten.

6) Fit & tack-weld
- Test-fit the patch. Ensure strut top stud holes align with patch. If original studs are usable, reuse; if not, plan to weld-in studs or use rivet nuts/helicoil welded nuts on the backside.
- Clamp patch, tack-weld in multiple spots to hold position. Ensure no distortion and correct alignment.

7) Welding technique
- Use short stitch welds (5–10 mm) spaced 10–15 mm apart to minimize heat warping. Allow cooling between stitches. Grind between passes if needed.
- If welding thin sheet to thin sheet, consider stitch welding and back-stepping technique. If welding to thicker flange, full welds okay.
- For spot-weld-style joints, either plug weld through small holes in patch to original flange or use continuous seam where appropriate.
- If you cannot weld to a completely intact flange, consider creating a welded-in reinforcement ring that distributes load into good metal.

8) Re-establish strut stud attachment
- If original studs are corroded through, use one of these:
- Weld-in studs (M10/M12) — tack-weld inside patch, ensure vertical alignment.
- Weld a nut on the underside (weld nut) to accept top nut.
- Install rivet nuts (nutserts) sized to match strut top nut and torque spec (use quality steel nutserts). Note: rivet nuts are acceptable if properly loaded on solid backing plate; welded solutions are strongest.
- Ensure the top mounting points are centered and perpendicular to the strut tower plane.

9) Finish metalwork & protection
- Grind welds smooth where necessary but maintain strength. Clean metal to bare steel.
- Apply weld-through primer on penetration points, then weld; afterwards treat welds with zinc-rich primer, seam sealer around seams (both inside and outside), then paint topcoat and underbody coating on underside.
- Reinstall any inner fender liners or splash shields removed.

10) Reassembly of suspension
- If you disassembled strut, replace top mount/bearing and dust boot/bumper as required. Always replace worn mount and top nut/washer.
- Reinstall strut into vehicle: raise strut into position, loosely install top nuts to hold it while aligning bottom to knuckle.
- Reinstall lower bolts, sway bar links, brake hose brackets, ABS sensor wiring. Torque all fasteners to manufacturer spec (top nut typically torqued in the range of ~45–95 Nm depending on stud size — consult manual).
- Reinstall battery, airbox, and any removed components.
- Lower vehicle, torque lug nuts to spec.

11) Final steps
- Check for proper seating of mount and absence of interference. Start vehicle and check for any unusual noises when turning steering lock-to-lock.
- Get a professional front-end alignment after repair (essential — towers affect geometry).
- Inspect repair after a short test drive and recheck tightness of fasteners.

Tool usage details & tips
- Spring compressor: mount symmetrically on opposite coils; tighten equally on both sides by alternating turns; never compress beyond the minimum needed to remove preload; inspect threads/locks frequently.
- MIG welder: use appropriate wire (0.8–1.0 mm) and gas (CO2 or 75/25 mix). Set amperage for thin sheet (generally lower amps to avoid burn-through). Use short stitch welds, cool between passes. If unsure, practice on scrap of similar thickness.
- Angle grinder: use new cutoff discs for clean cuts; wear respirator and eye/ear protection. File/grind burrs smooth to get good weld contact.
- Spot-weld cutter: drill or use cutter to remove factory spot welds when separating panels; be careful not to punch through to engine bay with excessive force.
- Rivet nut tool: if using nutserts, use long-handled puller that matches nut size; ensure a backing plate is used if sheetmetal is thin.

Replacement parts commonly required
- Top strut mount / bearing (recommended replace whenever you remove strut).
- Dust boot and bump stop.
- New top nuts/washers and possibly replaceable studs if corroded.
- Patch metal or reproduction tower panels, seam sealer, primer, paint.
- Possible new strut assembly if aftermarket strut damaged or if mounting hardware seized/corroded.

Common pitfalls & how to avoid them
- Leaving rust behind: cut out to solid metal — cosmetic grinding is not enough.
- Poor weld penetration or overheated metal: use stitch welds, let cool, avoid long continuous beads that warp structure.
- Reusing failed top mounting hardware/studs: replace studs/nuts/mounts if showing corrosion or deformation.
- Not reinforcing thin panels: thin factory sheet often needs backing plate to clamp properly; otherwise stud pull-through risk.
- Inadequate corrosion protection: failure to prime, seam-seal and undercoat will lead to recurrence.
- Incorrect spring compressor use: slipping compressors cause sudden release of energy — always follow tool instructions and use rated hardware.
- Not performing alignment after repair: steering and tire wear issues will follow.

Result criteria before road test
- Solid, non-wobbly strut top attachment with correct stud alignment.
- Welds that penetrate and tie patches into surrounding good metal.
- No leaks or exposed bare metal; seam sealed and painted.
- Proper torqued fasteners and functioning steering without noise.
- Professional alignment completed.

Do the repair methodically, prioritize structural integrity and corrosion prevention. After reassembly, test drive gently and recheck all fasteners and weld areas.
rteeqp73

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