10 replies to this topic

[PaulGdebo]

Hey,

I have searched the forum for a many hours over the past few days. Looking at peoples restoration projects etc and reading posts in the bodywork sections. Still i have some questions as they pertain to my project and the sequence in which i should do the replacement panels.

Today i have my mini stripped off all parts and mounted on a spit. This weekend i am hoping to remove the front wings, front half of inner fenders and front nose panel. Putting on a flip front, so i thought i would get these panels off now. Also this weekend i am going to brace the shell as most do between the doors and across the inside of the car.

Now i have/want to replace the floor, inner/outer sills, door steps, a panels, inner fenders (from shock mounts back), door hinge panel, stiffener panels, and scuttle. For starters.

In what sequence would i be best to do all of those in to maintain panel alignment and structural integrity.

I am thinking that if i have the brace bars fitting i cannot replace the door hinge pieces because they will be welded to the brace bars. So i would assume maybe the floors and sills first then remove brace bars and do all hinge panels, inner fender, and a panel.

Thanks, Paul

[racer36]

Hey,

I have searched the forum for a many hours over the past few days. Looking at peoples restoration projects etc and reading posts in the bodywork sections. Still i have some questions as they pertain to my project and the sequence in which i should do the replacement panels.

Today i have my mini stripped off all parts and mounted on a spit. This weekend i am hoping to remove the front wings, front half of inner fenders and front nose panel. Putting on a flip front, so i thought i would get these panels off now. Also this weekend i am going to brace the shell as most do between the doors and across the inside of the car.

Now i have/want to replace the floor, inner/outer sills, door steps, a panels, inner fenders (from shock mounts back), door hinge panel, stiffener panels, and scuttle. For starters.

In what sequence would i be best to do all of those in to maintain panel alignment and structural integrity.

I am thinking that if i have the brace bars fitting i cannot replace the door hinge pieces because they will be welded to the brace bars. So i would assume maybe the floors and sills first then remove brace bars and do all hinge panels, inner fender, and a panel.

Thanks, Paul

i am doing the floors,sills,inner sills,doorsteps,inner wings,outer wings,scuttle,front valance aswell so i would also like to know which are the priorities !

cheers

[robtheplod]

Really good question, and one I'll be watching for the answer..... Is there a bible that tells people this sort of thing as I have no idea how the mini sections fit together, and what relies on what else etc..???

Edited by robtheplod, 27 January 2009 - 09:31 PM.

[PaulGdebo]

Glad to see i am not the only one confused by this.

There must be a logical way to do it. I am sure someone wise could let us in on the way to attack it.

[Scotauto]

On my pickup project I have replaced all these parts and more. Basically I would recommend you replace one panel at a time cutting out only enough of the old panel(s) surrounding the new panel you are replacing to give access to position it place. Does your mini have internal or external hinges? Are you replacing the whole floor or just the front or rear or just repairing? Keeping either the inner or the outer sills in place while removing the other will help keep the door gap true.

[PaulGdebo]

Internal hinges.

I want to replace the entire floor. I think i will end up doing each side (floor front to rear, inner sill, outer sill, door step) one at a time. Then move onto door post panels, flitch's, and a panels.

Do this sound like a good plan? This way i should still be able to get the door on (mounted by hinges) for checking gaps while doing sills and door step. then when i do door post, flitchs, and a panel i will clamp the door in place and use the hinges on the door, and door itself for aligning.

Thanks, Paul

[Scotauto]

If you replace the one floor side just tack it in place and that should be enough to hold it true. Then if it's not quite right it will be much easier to remove again. Good luck

[racer36]

hi again lol

im replacing just the front floor pans and not the whole floor ( lucky me lol )
then i gotta replace all this:

which is the order to do the car in? id say:

inner sills
sills
floors
scuttle
inner wings
outer wings
front valance?
when replacing the front valance and matching it to the wings should i fit and bolt it to the subframe first?

also i dont need to worry about the gaps to much as only weling a doorskin to the body ( its an autograss car so needs to be as light as possible)

cheers

Edited by autograss, 27 January 2009 - 11:12 PM.

[Burnard]

im doing the inner, outer sills, jacking points and door steps and repairing an A-Panel on mine.
in my mind the logical order would be:

(floor pan)
innersils
step panels
jacking points
outer sils
(A-Panels)

it just seems a logical order in my mind seeing how they are attached, and what you would need to be able to get to in order to fit the next part.

just work it out, what comes off first, should go back on last, unless it has fallen off already, then work out when you would have taken it off.

Chris

[racer36]

i thaught the inner sills first as they connect to the floor pans? unless u weld the floor pans in and leave a gap between the inner sills so they can then be replaced?

cheers

[zodiac123]

Get a digital camera and take loads of pictures and videos form every angle at every step. Youve always got something to reference when you put it back together.