13 replies to this topic

[beentheunseen]

Hey everyone, I have a fitch panel on one side which is very rotten around the fresh air hole and allowing water spray into the car. I don't want to remove any of the front end panels as they are in relatively good shape, at least for the time being. Is it possible to remove the dash and patch up the fitch from the inside? Has anybody tried this before?

Edited by beentheunseen, 08 November 2010 - 07:41 PM.

[sonikk4]

Anything is possible if you out your mind to it. Doing it the way you have mentioned will be difficult but doable. Your biggest problem will be cutting out the damage so a Dremmel or something similar will be needed. It all depends on how bad the damage actually is as to how far you will need to go.

Not really helpful but some patience and being careful and you should be able to achieve a fairly decent repair.

[beentheunseen]

Cool cool, anyone got any pictures of what the top of the fitch looks like behind the dash?

[sonikk4]

Cool cool, anyone got any pictures of what the top of the fitch looks like behind the dash?

Try these





Hope they help

Neil

Edited by sonikk4, 10 November 2010 - 08:07 PM.

[Tomf]

It is possible, but it just depends how far the rot has gone...

[beentheunseen]

Wow, awesome pictures, looks like it could be possible, though the upper dash rail and A post may interfere... - thanks a lot!

Edited by beentheunseen, 11 November 2010 - 12:35 AM.

[olds_kool_lews]

also, you have to take into consideration the scuttle closing panel, as can be seen in the pictures, if the fresh air vent area is rotted out, the closing panel may also have suffered and need replacing, but you might be very lucky and have the rot localised to the air vent hole, but thats unlikely.

try get some pics up if your can

[Stevee]

Cool cool, anyone got any pictures of what the top of the fitch looks like behind the dash?

Try these





Hope they help

Neil

what have you done with these??

[bunch1980]

Am i right in thinking there is a pocket behind the air vent hole? if so does it stop at dash level or go right down to the wheel arch area?
As i was thinking the wheel arch is just one piece going right to the top but looks like there is a possible water trap again under the lower dash rail?

Hope im making sense great pics by the way!

[MiniMoe]

Cool cool, anyone got any pictures of what the top of the fitch looks like behind the dash?

Try these





Hope they help

Neil

These are some great pictures !!!! I need to replace this whole panel on my clubman.

[sonikk4]

Unfortunately this is what i had to do on Project Erm. I have changed all of the front panels bar the upper bulkhead and several sections of the cross member.

Have a look at the link and you will see what i have done.

[sonikk4]

Am i right in thinking there is a pocket behind the air vent hole? if so does it stop at dash level or go right down to the wheel arch area?
As i was thinking the wheel arch is just one piece going right to the top but looks like there is a possible water trap again under the lower dash rail?

Hope im making sense great pics by the way!

Cheers about the pics. The only pocket would be above the air vent behind the scuttle close out panel and below the scuttle. The other potential water trap would be in the A post area if the flitch has rotted out there. Internally there is some support structure behind the dash rail that runs along to the bulkhead panel.

If you have a look at the Project Erm link you will see exactly what is in that area with all of the panels removed.

Hope this answers your question

Neil

[bunch1980]

Am i right in thinking there is a pocket behind the air vent hole? if so does it stop at dash level or go right down to the wheel arch area?
As i was thinking the wheel arch is just one piece going right to the top but looks like there is a possible water trap again under the lower dash rail?

Hope im making sense great pics by the way!

Cheers about the pics. The only pocket would be above the air vent behind the scuttle close out panel and below the scuttle. The other potential water trap would be in the A post area if the flitch has rotted out there. Internally there is some support structure behind the dash rail that runs along to the bulkhead panel.

If you have a look at the Project Erm link you will see exactly what is in that area with all of the panels removed.

Hope this answers your question

Neil

Thanks I think i get you now and will take a look at your project thread to, im more wanting to know if it is possible to inject cavity wax etc in there or if there is any need in this area.
I have had a good look under neath inside my front arches and it seems very solid up there so hope its all good.

[SMP]

Here's an internal repair of the panel you asked about.  The front end of the car is ok so there was no way I was chopping that off just to get at this.


My top tip is if doing the drivers side take the steering column out!!  Also I bought a powerfile off ebay - fantastic - wish I'd bought one years ago!!

Most of the rot chopped out:-

 DSCF2718s.JPG   50.51K   10 downloads

Cardboard template

 DSCF2724s.JPG   46.82K   8 downloads

Welded in

 DSCF2726s.JPG   51.31K   6 downloads

Painted.  Just got to sort the retaining bolts which had all seized - will try and drill out and re- tap bigger.

 DSCF2727s.JPG   52.2K   10 downloads

Excuse the standard of welding - I know it's not very good - but this is a running repair - not a restoration.

Get one of these - I was amazed - I thought it would be really flimsy and belt would wear out in seconds - fantastic!!

 powerfile.jpg   2.82K   9 downloads

Cheers

Steve