6 replies to this topic

[Seba5tian]

I'm new to the repair of mini body work and I have some rusting at the front of the inner sill, and along the inner sill wall under the door.

 

I acquired some inner sill repair panels for free as seen HERE

 

How would I got about fitting these? Is it as simple as grinding along the bend in the floorpan/combined sill on the left hand side of that linked picture and fitting the repair panel in it's place and welding up? If so, spot or seam welding?

 

 

Is there any danger of accidentally cutting through something underneath?

 

Thanks, Sebastian

 

P.S, Sorry if I sound like a noob

Edited by Seba5tian, 17 January 2014 - 05:27 PM.

[domdee]

a picture of your rust would be helpful....

 

but a 'butt joint' on the floor pan would be best...

and then spot/plug weld along the door step panel.

the crossmember box section might need some attention where it meets the sill but this can be rectified with some off cuts of tin... might be best to chop 6" of it out to get a good look. clean up any surface rust to the best you can and smother it in red oxide or zink primer. and then weld it back in if all is ok.

9 times out of 10 i'd say you'll have something to do in there! if so, fill the notch/gap on on your new panel with some metal and fit the full thing, then repair/fit the cross member box section over the top of it!

 

the seat belt anchor point will need to be welded on to your inner sill panel if you are taking it back as far as that! make sure you get some bloody good welds on it and add a few plug/spot welds through to it!

 

i dont think you need to worry about cutting through anything though, certainly not inside the sill/step, but check for pipes and cables clipped to the underside of the floor.

 

 

hope this helps and makes sense

Edited by domdee, 17 January 2014 - 06:00 PM.

[domdee]

hmmm also the front section of your flinch panel and outer sill (possibly door step) might need patching!

[Seba5tian]

a picture of your rust would be helpful....

 

but a 'butt joint' on the floor pan would be best...

and then spot/plug weld along the door step panel.

the crossmember box section might need some attention where it meets the sill but this can be rectified with some off cuts of tin... might be best to chop 6" of it out to get a good look. clean up any surface rust to the best you can and smother it in red oxide or zink primer. and then weld it back in if all is ok.

9 times out of 10 i'd say you'll have something to do in there! if so, fill the notch/gap on on your new panel with some metal and fit the full thing, then repair/fit the cross member box section over the top of it!

 

the seat belt anchor point will need to be welded on to your inner sill panel if you are taking it back as far as that! make sure you get some bloody good welds on it and add a few plug/spot welds through to it!

 

i dont think you need to worry about cutting through anything though, certainly not inside the sill/step, but check for pipes and cables clipped to the underside of the floor.

 

 

hope this helps and makes sense

 

Thanks for the very good advice! The Mini is garaged up away from home at the moment and I haven't got any pictures I'm afraid   
I'll be starting the work tomorrow so I'll get started and report back with how things goes! And yes, a bit of the flitch/outersill needs patching also

[domdee]

cardboard templates will help. measure twice and cut once etc...

[corrado vr6]

Personally after I bought those panels you have linked to I threw them in the bin as they seemed very flimsy and didn't look up to the job, more of a bodgers cover panel

[sonikk4]

Personally after I bought those panels you have linked to I threw them in the bin as they seemed very flimsy and didn't look up to the job, more of a bodgers cover panel

I agree here they are not particularly good but can be used for patching. If you want a decent panel then try the ones from M Machine. They do full inner sills that do the job far far better than those repair panels.