3 replies to this topic

[foreverfixin]

Hi folks, I’m seeking clarification about doors. Yesterday I spent the afternoon assessing what remains to be done to make the nearside door fit properly. The gaps need adjustment but that’s not the immediate issue. One thing I have noticed is that the door skin is slightly bowed horizontally at the bottom and wonder if this is correct. It is straight, obviously, at the window weather strip but at what point does it begin to change to not being straight if indeed that is intended? I do seem to recall the door carcass bottom repair panel being wider in the centre than at either end so this would account for the skin not being straight. I also remember that whilst the door step is straight the outer sill is slightly curved. I don’t want to waste time on the gaps if I have messed up with the skin. I hope this makes sense?

 

[sonikk4]

Nope i understand what you are getting at and there should be a minimal curve BUT as i found out those repair panels can be overcurved and as such create issues with the skin.

 

So if you feel yours is too great a curve then rather than deskin the door you could cut a slot in the repair panel then carefully close it up and reweld it. This in theory should work. It may take a bit of careful tweaking cutting but be patient and it will come good.

 

Mine on paddy are straight as the doorsteps i have fitted are not from any of the normal suppliers but from a local machine shop i frequented for my metal, and the old owner Alan was a mini buff and custom mini builder. He pressed several sets for me. No dodgy folds, perfectly crisp and tapered along their length to meet the slight taper from B post to A post.

[foreverfixin]

Thank you Sonnik for your advice. Much better to have a straight panel which will help when it comes to block sanding later. I’ll give your suggestion a try and see how it goes.

[sonikk4]

Although this was from a long time ago on my lads car this is what i did to one of his doors. It was really bad and with the skin off makes life easier. BUT be careful to make sure the slit is big enough to take the worst of the curve out but still leave a small gap to allow you to weld without puckering the metal.