146 replies to this topic

[Dan6061]

This is doing my head in now.

The hinges don't seem to sit right in the front. When I flip them down inside the front where they'd usually hold it, the top corners won't sit against the scuttle panel!? There's a big gap in it. Then when I lift the front up against the scuttle panel, the front then sits on top of the hinges.
Then when I flip the hinges back down where they should be, it pulls the front back so I have the gap on the scuttle again!?

Arrgghhh.... help me.

[analogue_radio]

Got some snaps of what you mean? how big is the gap between the scuttle & the front when it's shut?

[Dan6061]

What I mean is, I try to fit it against the scuttle, but then then hinges won't sit in the front right. Then when the hinges are in right, the front doesn't sit against the scuttle!

It's awkward trying to do it by myself, and trying to hold it all up in place, and take a picture? Near on impossible.

[analogue_radio]

Oh I get you! but yeah I understand about multitasking, well.. I haven't got a clue, I'm still so inexperienced with this & I'll probably be faced with similar problems in a few months!

Rope in a willing friend for another pair of hands!

[zap]

Update:

Turns out my wiring skills are pretty good! Got the front sat over the car now, and I wired up the headlights and indicators, all working fine!
Had two fuses to replace, as I didn't have any lights on the drivers side, but they're fine now.







Fron't held up by the axle stands just to keep it level...ish.
I'm quite proud though, think it looks awesome!

Going to as a mate of mine to help me out with the actual fit, need to trim bits down to make it fit the scuttle properly. Not looking forward to that bit!

looking grate mate keep it up

[Dan6061]

Many many thanks to Karl (1984mini25) for helping me today!
We had a look at the hinges that were on the front of the subframe, and realised that they were pushing the front out too far. I was stumped at this point, but Karl decided to mount the hinges at the bottom of the front subframe, and bend them into shape! Which he has done, and they're perfect.

Slight disapointment with the mould of the front though, the drivers wing needs puushing out to match the A panel, and the other side is fine! So that's another delay!
Karl suggested cutting slots into the front, then bolting on a plate to hold it in shape, then fibreglass it back together, but I'm not too sure about that, as I don't want to mess it up!
A mate of mine suggested heating up that wing, and pushing it out, then let it cool down into shape, which could work?

Didn't take any pictures, as it doesn't really look that much different, apart from it's trimmed down to the scuttle panel MUCH better than before, and the hinges are hidden by the front.
I'll take some pictures of the drivers side wing to show you all what I mean about it needing to be pushed out!

[1984mini25]

Slight disapointment with the mould of the front though, the drivers wing needs puushing out to match the A panel, and the other side is fine! So that's another delay!
Karl suggested cutting slots into the front, then bolting on a plate to hold it in shape, then fibreglass it back together, but I'm not too sure about that, as I don't want to mess it up!
A mate of mine suggested heating up that wing, and pushing it out, then let it cool down into shape, which could work?

That wing looks more like it’s either come out of the mould too soon or it’s be squished/lent on by something, if it was a steel panel it wouldn’t of been too much of a problem as it could be clamped and welded.

The method I was suggesting was this one…
Camp Freddy’s The Rat, page55

But the hole from to me looks to be too short and thus sits too far back, one other thought I have while driving home was that the front sat right up against the flywheel housing, so might be worth slotting the starter motor back in (doesn’t need to be bolted up) to see if the solenoid on the front clears.

And before you fibreglass the hinges to the front, try and clamp it in place as much a possible and preferably with the bonnet in place to get the gaps right.

[analogue_radio]

Glad you've made progress with sorting the hinge & scuttle problem out now just this to do and you are well away! I hope I don't encounter the same problem

[Dan6061]

Was more Karl's progress than mine, I just found myself standing back and watching most of today! Although I have a cold and sore throat, so I have an excuse.

Good luck with your one though! Still slightly annoyed about my one, but hey... it happens!

Karl: I did have camp_freddy's project in mind when you mentioned cutting and re-fibreglassing the wing!
Thanks for your help today, really appreciate it!

Edited by Dan6061, 18 January 2009 - 06:50 PM.

[Dan6061]

Ok, I feel way too ill to try and work on the Mini today, but I dragged myself out to take some pictures of the driver's wing to explain myself better.

Passenger side is fine, here is the passenger's side wing - scuttle panel:


Then the passenger's side wing - scuttle panel:


And the driver's side wing - scuttle panel:


And finally the driver's side wing - A panel:


Same but closer:




See what I mean? The mould isn't right. If I do try to pull it over, it flexes so far, then I know I'd snap it if I went any further.
I'm thinking that simply heating it up and bending it out a bit will shape it up. I did give this a go with mum's hair dryer, but it didn't quite seem up to the job.
I think we have a heatgun in the shed though... I'll hunt around for that tomorrow if I feel any better!

[the.stroker]

i had this on mine,ended up making a plate on the a-panel to line it all up when its all closed

[Deathrow]

Pull it out and hold it for a while.

You could weld tabs on to your a-panels that will capture and hold the front in place.

[mighty mini jack]

Mines like that too, quite abit more infact!

Not sure what were going to do about it yet though.

What company did you get the front from?

[kez_19]

i did this



michael

[analogue_radio]

Oh christ that's a big gap! Surely you're entitled to some sort of refund or replacement? Seeing as it isn't your fault.