2 replies to this topic

[sceptre1725]

Hello

I am about to start replacement of the outer sills, ( and on one side a door step repair section ) on my 1991 Cooper as part of a full resto. What is the best position for the car in terms of access and keeping the body rigid? Should I tip the car on its side or is there a better method?

Cheers

Nige

[Fogg]

When i did the sills on my car i tipped it on its side, the car was tottaly stripped so there wasn't alot of stress being put on the shell. I just layed a few old tyres down and used a long peice of wood to prop the car up along the roof gutter. Welding the sills on with the car like this makes it alot easier than working from underneath! Just be careful when turning the car on its side. I have also seen a car turned completely on its roof using a set of old roof racks the stand it on, this seemed to work quite well.

[Woody]

The best way i have found is to put the mini up on 4 axel stands , at the front they need to be under the bottom suspension arms , at the back under the radiusarms , this way the weight is evenly disributed and the same as if it was still on the floor .
leave the door on , this will tell you if the door gap is changing
if the door must be removed , then i have found it best to weld in a piece of 1 inch angle on the inside of the door apature horisontal 2 inches above the step , this can then be removed with an angle grinder when the panels are fully welded on
A word of caution here i was asked to look at a mini of a mate of a mate , he fitted his own sills witha gasless mig (first attempt never welded before) " I chopped out the sills, inner sills ,step and a bit of the floor , the sills they sent me were too long , i welded it all up and now the door overlaps the rear quarter , what can i do ?)