10 replies to this topic

[JDImini]

have been working on my sons 89 mini which we have just bought, treating rust in usual places and wax oiling as per a brilliant post on box sections. He has removed some of the bituminous sound deadening material in the foot well as it had started to split and the rust seems to be centered around the 3 drain plugs?? Can we just knock these out and replace with new ones, once sorted the surface rust out or do the plug holes need to be welded up? Haven't done it yet as don't have access to welding gear if that is what is required.

 

Thanks

   

[alex-95]

Have you got a picture? If there is rust then it'll need to be welded with or without the holes, If it's just surface then you can stick some bungs in the holes once it's been treated.

[sonikk4]

Its entirely up to you whether you want to keep them or not. You can get replacement bungs as mentioned but if you do refit some make sure they are fitted with sealant and also make sure the edge of the holes are well painted.

[tiger99]

I agree entirely. The holes are optional. Some people think that they were not drain holes (and the number and position of them supports that theory, because there are none at the rear, and those at the front are not all right in the corners of the depression, which would be lowest if the car was not sitting level) but access holes for welding or jigging during manufacture of the shell.

Surprisingly, neither Somerford nor Minispares, as far as I can see, list the blanking plugs for these holes, but they both supply replacement floor sections with holes. Make of that what you will....

[sonikk4]

Somerfords do actually list a range of grommets from 1/4" to 1 1/4" which will cover what you need.

SCparts also list them as well item 5

http://www.scparts.c...kal.tpl,x-a.htm

[tiger99]

Yes, Somerford do list general purpose grommets, but ordinarily they would have been shown under Body Sealing Hardware, and their use in that position mentioned, like for instance the LHD wiper hole blanking plugs.

 

Actually, at least one of my Minis had metal blanking plugs, snap in things with multiple springy prongs, that presumably were sealed with some kind of mastic. Thinking about those was why I went looking on Somerford.

 

SC want £5.27 for one? Whether rubber or metal, and they don't say, surely they cannot be serious?

[sonikk4]

They are not cheap hence why if I was to have holes in the floor pans I would use a suitably sized rubber grommet and a good quality sealant non silicone based.

[tiger99]

I have just looked at the SC web site, and a complete shell, under £6k from Somerford, is over £10k. I don't think I will ever be buying anything from them!

 

In every field there are always ripoff merchants who sell things at well over the going rate. What amazes me is that they continue in business, because mugs buy from them without doing any research.

[JDImini]

actually got some rubber grommets from Mini Fair 2 and they fit a treat

[craig 1010cc]

SC are a funny place. Their catalouge is really good (and more useful than a haynes in some respects) but their pricing is odd. I have found in the past that for some things they are much cheaper (I bought a front panel and wings from them, and the wings were BHM panels but with the stickers removed and at budget prices), but as you say, some things are silly prices.

[sonikk4]

I bought their catalogue just for picture reference and for that its ideal. The other thing for me is they are only five mins away from work so handy to drop in.