i know sills are supposedly structural but have found a few little holes on sill under drivers door i have used an abrasive wheel on the rest and all seems solid and ok.
question is do i really need to change the whole thing. is there a way of getting a plate put on without it looking dire. any thoughts would be greatly appreciated
thanks in advance.
82 mini 1000
Sills Got A Hole
Started by
gazza01
, May 30 2011 01:00 PM
3 replies to this topic
#2
Tupers
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Up Into Fourth
- Location: Devon
Posted 30 May 2011 - 01:25 PM
Sills aren't "supposedly" structural they ARE structural and need to be replaced or repaired to a good standard. Providing the rust isn't too bad you may be able to cut the rot out, rust treat the area and butt weld a new piece in.
If you can post a decent picture of the affected area we'll be able to give you a better idea of if if can be repaired or if it needs to be replace.
If you can post a decent picture of the affected area we'll be able to give you a better idea of if if can be repaired or if it needs to be replace.
Edited by Tupers, 30 May 2011 - 01:26 PM.
#3
Boycie
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Camshaft & Stage Two Head
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Posted 30 May 2011 - 02:44 PM
If the rest of the sill genuinely is solid and not a nasty 'oversill' then welding a localised patch in place is perfectly acceptable.
It doesn't need to look awful either, 90% of people who claim to be able to weld.. cannot weld.
A good repair is to cut out ALL of the grot, and seam-weld a section in place that is flush with the surrounding metal. If done by someone who knows what they're doing, it will be invisible.
If you have oversills, or are in any doubt about the rest of the outer sill, or indeed the inner sill- it all needs chopping out and a new panel fitted. Quality sill panels are not overly expensive and the repair will look excellent- as well as lasting the test of time.
It doesn't need to look awful either, 90% of people who claim to be able to weld.. cannot weld.
A good repair is to cut out ALL of the grot, and seam-weld a section in place that is flush with the surrounding metal. If done by someone who knows what they're doing, it will be invisible.
If you have oversills, or are in any doubt about the rest of the outer sill, or indeed the inner sill- it all needs chopping out and a new panel fitted. Quality sill panels are not overly expensive and the repair will look excellent- as well as lasting the test of time.
#4
sonikk4
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Twisted Paint Polisher!!!
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Posted 30 May 2011 - 03:05 PM
The biggest problem with rust especially with sills is that it normally starts from the inside and then perforates through. If holes are appearing then change the sill.
Yes you can do localised repairs but if you are keeping the car and can weld or know somebody that can then change the sill. Remember the jacking point is also welded to the outer and inner sill so if its starting to rot the next time you jack the car up using the jacking point it could potentially collapse. Not good.
Sills themselves are not expensive and very easy to change. Look at an hour to remove and clean up the mating faces. Spend another hour or two prepping the sill and inner sill area and then another hour or so welding the new sill on and grinding back the welds. This can be quicker if you have a spot welder.
Now this time scale can change drastically if the jacking point is damaged and the inner sill is crusty it really does depend on how well the car has stood up to the test of time.
Yes you can do localised repairs but if you are keeping the car and can weld or know somebody that can then change the sill. Remember the jacking point is also welded to the outer and inner sill so if its starting to rot the next time you jack the car up using the jacking point it could potentially collapse. Not good.
Sills themselves are not expensive and very easy to change. Look at an hour to remove and clean up the mating faces. Spend another hour or two prepping the sill and inner sill area and then another hour or so welding the new sill on and grinding back the welds. This can be quicker if you have a spot welder.
Now this time scale can change drastically if the jacking point is damaged and the inner sill is crusty it really does depend on how well the car has stood up to the test of time.
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