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Bracing A Mini Shell


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#1 connor_cooper

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Posted 18 October 2019 - 03:55 PM

Good Afternoon

 

I have been on a hiatus from the mini world for a number of years due to my car being off the road due to rust etc.

 

I've now taken the decision to restore the car back to her former glory. However, when I get the car down to a bare shell, I'm intending to get it up on a rotisserie jig. What is considered best practice for bracing the body to avoid compromising the structure when making repairs?

 

Would appreciate if somebody could provide some photos as examples.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Connor



#2 wreckitralph

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Posted 18 October 2019 - 04:29 PM

mine has a square welded in between the a and b posts  and a leg front and rear down to the exhaust tunnel also a leg either side t the seat x member  pics in the build thread

budget rebuild

i didnt do it but some fairly major panels have been removed and nothing has moved


Edited by wreckitralph, 18 October 2019 - 04:46 PM.


#3 Maccmike8

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Posted 18 October 2019 - 04:31 PM

When I cut the floor out of my project in the garage I used 2" box welded to above inner sills - squared across to each side then triagulated to the A and B posts and that worked perfect for me.



#4 harrythehat

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Posted 19 October 2019 - 05:55 AM

just finished heel board and cill replacement 

braced across the doors at dashboard level dropped one down to the cross member (seating bar in car)

then one across from middle of door to middle of door other side worked fine



#5 connor_cooper

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Posted 19 October 2019 - 10:36 AM

Thanks guys, that's really useful. I don't suppose you have any pictures?

#6 sc-em

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Posted 19 October 2019 - 05:28 PM

I may have to do similar. Mine is already on the jig and I will be doing the boot end first so wont need it then, but will when I take to the sills, floor etc.

Yes, some photos would be a real help.



#7 sonikk4

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Posted 19 October 2019 - 07:14 PM

I may have to do similar. Mine is already on the jig and I will be doing the boot end first so wont need it then, but will when I take to the sills, floor etc.

Yes, some photos would be a real help.

 

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Tied in at the A and Bposts with drop downs to the crossmember and tack welded there.



#8 sonikk4

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Posted 19 October 2019 - 07:15 PM

I also added a brace across the inner arches when i replaced the boot floor

 

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#9 sc-em

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Posted 22 October 2019 - 06:48 PM

Very belt and braces but might give me a bit more confidence if I get carried away and cut out too much in one go. :D



#10 Cooperman

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Posted 22 October 2019 - 10:28 PM

If just doing inner & outer sills, bracing is not really necessary so long as one side at a time is done without rotating the shell. If the door frame step is also being changed, do the step first before cutting the sill off.

For an inner and outer sill it is best to buy the M-Machine inner/outer sill sub-assembly. Just do a bit at a time.



#11 connor_cooper

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Posted 24 October 2019 - 06:41 PM

Thanks guys, really useful




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