7 replies to this topic

[sceptre1725]

Hello

Took a door skin off this morning, (first time I've done this), with the grinder and was shocked to find how much of the frames lower flange has rotted away. Also, the top edge of the skin came way from the frame but took with it the inner section, (Ie the skin and this piece would make up the double thickness panel that the trim finisher slots onto). I would not have expected this to have detatched from the frame - is this correct? The rest of the frame is good with just bits of surface rust. Am I wasting my time welding this up with repair sections or would I be better off with a new door. The new doors look particularly pricy.

Are early 1990's Coopers made of recycled Lancias by any chance....?

Cheers

Nige

[binge]

Im not sure. Doors are very pricy, even second hand your looking at £50+ a piece.


My passenger door skin has rusted, Ive sanded it right down on the frame and hammerited it up. But the skin has came away from the frame along the bottom. Will probably get the Oxy/Acetelene Out at work tomorrow and run a strip of weld along the bottom of the door.

Hopefully it wont bubble the paint on the outside of the door too much.

[dklawson]

Mk1/2 doors are notorious for frames rotting out, particularly at the bottom. There are repair sections that can be welded in but I have found this rather tricky. I would have thought the Mk3 and later cars wouldn't have had severe problems like this.

There is a company that advertises in Mini World who specialize in door repair. I believe they can fix yours or sell you new ones. I'm sorry, I don't remember their exact name but it's something obvious like "Mini Door Company". They have a fairly small add (75mm x 75mm?) without pictures. Were they an option to me... I would have used them rather than spending the time I did fixing my own doors.

[Woody]

the skin has came away from the frame along the bottom. Will probably get the Oxy/Acetelene Out at work tomorrow and run a strip of weld along the bottom of the door.

Best NOT to get oxy/acetaline out , as patches done this way will only speed-up the rusting prosess
think of it this way , rust is oxidisation you will be adding heat and oxygen+steel=oxidisation.


new doorskin should come with the double skin section at the top , i have had some odd shaped skins in the past , best to check skin size and shape in door apeture before starting

Edited by Woody, 16 January 2006 - 07:24 AM.

[sceptre1725]

Ok so new door skin and new flanges made up out of sheet steel and welded to the frame. What thickness metal do we buy for fabricating Mini repair sections?


Cheers

[sceptre1725]

Been to Tec tonight. 18mm sheet steel for repair sections for reference as no one appears to know... Nice repair section butt welded into place. Who needs new door frames....

Cheers

Nige

[The Roadie]

Are early 1990's Coopers made of recycled Lancias by any chance....?

Practically.
Early '90s ones were made from quite poor quality steel. You need a 1994 Sprite or Mayfair made forrm Polish steel, they are quite rustproof (for a Mini!)
Oh and a new BMH door is £380 :nugget:

[mini-mad-dan]

i can get practacly mint doors for £20 mk3 onwards am in fareham area