9 replies to this topic

[Mattl]

Its a 92 Cooper and i have replaced both the LH and RH rear inner wing/flitch panels. Just got the RH side on and noticed it appears quite different from the LH. I have fitted both panels in exactly the same way Bolting the panel through the hing bolts, scribing round the new panel, removing the old crusty metal and welding the new one in place.

My problem is the lip that the A panel mounts to sticks out quite a bit more than on the left. I think the left hand side panel is correct and the RH panel seems too far outboard for the A panel to line up anywhere near the door.

I have attached some pictures for you to look at. Excuse the pics, the car is on a spit on its side at the moment.

Which side is correct? Any ideas what to do? They are hadrian panels on both sides. Unfortunately i dont have the panel number for the left hand side to check out.

Pictures coming any minute when i host them

[lrostoke]

The easiest way to make sure it lines up right is to fit the door.
Then hold the A panel up against it to check the shut lines and how far out it sticks.
If it sticks out to far then elongate the holes in the new flitch panel.

Did same trick on one of ours

[Mattl]

Pictures

LH Side









RH Side

[MiniLuke]

Looks like it sticks out a good half inch too much. How did you line it up? Did you rely on where the door hinge holes were in the new panel?

I think elongating the holes for the hinges is not going to work, perhaps you need to rework the edge by straightening and refolding it in the correct place?

Have you tried the door, new wing and new a panel in place? I would imagine they are not going to line up well at all.

[lrostoke]

Real stupid question, and it could be a trick of the photo



But is that the right flitch panel, it looks like the lip the A panel fits on is facing foreward ??

[MiniLuke]

Its a trick of the photo. The other pictures show it folds the right way, just too far out.

[Mattl]

Its a trick of the photo. The other pictures show it folds the right way, just too far out.

Yeah its a trick of the photo. I positioned it by lining up the hinge and vent holes and then scribed round the new panel and chopped the old one out.

I havent got an a panel to check the line up at the moment, though im sure its going to be way out. And im going to have to take the brace out before i can try a door in the aperture again.

Think im going to put the sill on, go grab an a panel and take the brace out and check the line up. Im sure its going to need mucho frigging. Bugger, wish i had noticed before i welded the buggar on. I think its going to need a new panel to bucher and some elongated holes in it to achieve the line up. Im hoping the left hand doesnt need redoing as well. And it was going so well too.

[jjojjas]

I just fitted one on mine, a Hadrian one. I lined the holes up and they were the same as yours. You can either re-beat the lip down closer to the plate of the A post (the other bit of steel that you lined the holes up against) or you can cut them off, then seam weld a lip back on in the right place and grind it flat for the apex to lie on top of.
It's not that bad a setback, but check it with the a panel first as they can accept a little lea way. You'll need the door back on as well.

Jas

[Mattl]

I just fitted one on mine, a Hadrian one. I lined the holes up and they were the same as yours. You can either re-beat the lip down closer to the plate of the A post (the other bit of steel that you lined the holes up against) or you can cut them off, then seam weld a lip back on in the right place and grind it flat for the apex to lie on top of.
It's not that bad a setback, but check it with the a panel first as they can accept a little lea way. You'll need the door back on as well.

Jas

Cheers chaps. Id better get me some a panels and decide how best to tackle it. Out with the hammer methinks!!

Its a bit of a joke that the left and the right hand panels are so flippin different. So sick of bodwork now. lol. Give me the oily bits to work on anyday!

[lrostoke]

Must say fitted 4 flitch panels now to 2 different minis, used Hadrian panels on both, and most we had to do was elongate the holes . You might find once doors in place and you've got a sill and A panel to line up off its not as bad as you think.