40 replies to this topic

[midridge2]

if the panel is the same as the original factory panel its not a repair panel.
if we use the example you gave any body shop that replaces a panel must seam weld it on and that is impossable in most cases.

[miniman24]

Ive just done this to my project, and used non genuine 4 1/2 inch sills, and plug welded the joint to the doorstep, and seam welded the rest


Had it checked out my my dads mate whos an mot tester with Kwik fit, he said it was fine, probably stronger than factory

Edited by miniman24, 26 April 2010 - 07:49 PM.

[robtheplod]

I replaced my sills and plug welded along the bottom, seam at either end and it was fine at MOT time....

[Shifty]

If you are putting a new sill on the car its a replacement panel, not a repair panel so you can either seam weld, spot weld or plug weld or a mixture of them all and if the welding is up to MOT standard it will pass.
its only repair panels and patches that have to be fully seam welded.

Finally, something we agree on!!

He's right, if you fit a replacement panel, then it can be spotwelded as per the original.

[rick.spi]

as well as not needing to seam weld outer sills, what about taking them off in the future when its rusts again. itl be alot harder to get off with a big seam all along the bottom edge.

[l_jonez]

i hate over sills

heres what i found under mine after a removing them and poking with a screw driver



as for the replacement panel thing, my understanding is if its a patch it must be seam welded but if its a replacement panel it can be spot welded as the factory or equivalent ( plug weld)

[tomdale86]

i have this problem with oversills myself atm-just getting all replaced today.

thing that gets me....why the *heaven* do they keep making and sellin the *silly* things!?

[hundred]

i have this problem with oversills myself atm-just getting all replaced today.

thing that gets me....why the *heaven* do they keep making and sellin the *silly* things!?

because they are a bodgers best friend and a lot cheaper than sorting it out properly, especially if some dishonest person wants to sell their 'rust free' mini, my mate has first hand experiance of that - he wasnt best pleased when he found out and the seller wasnt interested.

[Bergy]

Would I be right in saying to "plug weld" the sill, I will need to drill holes in between the drainage channels of the replacement sill?

The other argument regarding seam welding, would this be a case of seam welding the sill to the floor between the drainage channels?

Final one (for now) do I attach the top of the sill by drilling holes in the doorstep and plug welding through to the new outer sill?

Cheers

Bergy

[Rich.]

Yes, Yes and Yes.

Rich

[Frog]

You can plug weld along the sill to door step/quarter panel seam also plug weld in between the drainage holes. I normally space them about an inch apart, then seam weld at the front & rear edges. I have never had any problems with M.O.T's doing it this way.