22 replies to this topic

[callumwebber]

do the plates have to be welded on or can they just be held in by the mount bolts?

[Spitz]

Bolt in.....

[jaydee]

Best to weld them, but you can even use rivets if you dont want to strip down the interior to weld on the heelboard

[Spitz]

oh...thought he was asking about the solid mounts...lol

[Ethel]

Spitz, though I have not personally experienced that failure (yet) I do remember it being discussed a lot (on the MM board) when I was restoring my Mini. Apparently it is not that uncommon and I do remember several people suggesting exactly the repair method you describe.

You've got me nervous now.... I am afraid to lift the carpets up in my car.

Don't think you've got anything to worry about Doug, it's seems to be just the rubber mounted frames.

[sonikk4]

Best to weld them, but you can even use rivets if you dont want to strip down the interior to weld on the heelboard

 

If you do decide to use rivets then they will need to be steel or mono rivets and solid type not pop rivets. Welding will be the best method.

[Cooperman]

The splitting shows the sort of loading the floor takes, so it's best to weld the reinforcing plates in if the floor has already cracked. In fact, it's best to drill a hole at each end of the crack, then weld the crack up, grind back and weld the reinforcing plate to the floor by both seam welding around the edges and plug welding through 3/8" dia holes drilled in the repair plate. Then finally grind back and paint. 

[Ethel]

I reckon they'd be better bolted and bonded, but that does depend on them making a thick enough sandwich to transfer the load into the floor with less flexing. It also wouldn't do as much to isolate the cracks.