16 replies to this topic

[I could eat a horse Haha]

Few questions on sill replacement.

The car currently has oversills which are rotten through on passenger side.

I want to remove these oversills and the remains of any of the original sill that is left.

Question is for the replacement should I use an oversill type again that folds round and welds to the floor??

or the original type with open vents?

After poking holes with a screwdriver all over the current sills were full of water.


Anyone know the correct parts from mini spares etc??

All advice appreciated

Cheers all

Andy

[jonny d]

HI Andy don't use oversills again they hold in water and rot every thing out I think you can get wider open vent sills from Minispares but be prepared for extensive repairs to surrounding areas were the water has been kept in and also the undersill that has been left in under the oversill they should be banned I think.

[sonikk4]

Use the 4 1/2 " wide sills with vents as these are original fit. Before you go any further peel back the carpet inside the car especially on the inner sills and see what is lurking there. If water has been trapped then there is a very good chance your inner sills will be shot as well.

Not good news i'm afraid, oversills are well known for hiding rust although if done well then they would do but obviously not in this case. Due to them not having vents in them they will collect moisture and lead to rust.

Edited by sonikk4, 10 October 2010 - 06:58 PM.

[I could eat a horse Haha]

the inner sills were replaced when the car was rebuilt 4/5 years ago along with top step sill. Hopefully they are still solid.

At the time the outer cover sills were still solid so weren't replaced. Wish I had done them now.

[Darkscamp]

Oversills are known as 'Car Killers' for a reason!!!!

I know they are easier to fit, but they will never be any good for the car in the long run

[steverose]

Sorry to hijack the thread slightly, but whats the best way of removing old sills when replacing? I have got some new sills (the wide ones) and need to take the old ones off. If anyone has a guide it would be appreciated.
Cheers

[lrostoke]

Cut along the seam with the car body, then just push down on the sill to bend it down, and keep pulling it up and down till it breaks off. Cut it into small sections if its stubborn.

Then just go round with a grinding disk and clean up.

[I could eat a horse Haha]

Ok....

the only 4 1/2" ones I can find are the non genuine type
Only genuine ones I have seen are 4" only.

Is this correct?? As I would prefer genuine only as reproduction ones always seem to be poor quality thin steel.

Cheers

Edited by I could eat a horse Haha, 11 October 2010 - 04:35 PM.

[minidaves]

4" is a gen sill, a 4.5 is an aftermaket vented sill

fit the 4" one and do the repairs as required

as for ease of fitting the standard sill is easiest because its what they came with, remove and replace

dave

[Kerrin]

Just in the middle of taking off the oversills on mine, luckily the inner sills were well painted with hammerite and well repaired, but the oversills had rotted through at the front under the A panel and at the back near to the subframe mount, there is minimal damage, but glad I found it before it got any worse.

[I could eat a horse Haha]

Found the damage at weekend...

Fairly extensive!!! - the lazy git that fitted over sills wants shooting.

This may take some time.....

Attached Files

•  Photo0225.jpg   2.95MB   66 downloads

[jayare]

Looks like you'll be needing one of these or the non-gen equivalent (still with narrow open vent sills),

JR

[Cooperman]

Looks like you're into new inner sills as well. It's not that difficult if you do it methodically. Make sure that you are welding to clean and good metal with no paint on it.
I like to have the wheels on and put them onto large crates to stop the shell moving whilst it's all cut about. Then do the inners, followed by the outers. If you can beg or borrow a spot-welder it makes it so much easier. Heritage or original genuine panels are the best and if you can keep it as manufactured it is always good. Don't forget that you may need new jacking points which may come with the new inner sills.

[I could eat a horse Haha]

Not at that price!!

I have a large sheet of steel, line bender, hammer and dolly. will be making the panels myself.

Only one i have bought so far is the outer sill itself.

Also yes hopefully have a spot welder on its way from a friend. Failing that will hire one from HSS. Got to be easier than gringing back all those plug welds.

Big job broke out me thinks!!!

Edited by I could eat a horse Haha, 18 October 2010 - 06:40 PM.

[sonikk4]

Liking your style for making your own


At least you know it will fit making your own.