6 replies to this topic

[daniel_johno]

Ive started my new project which is a 1275gt. I have it stripped to a bare shell and have removed the front end and the subframes. The mini had been in 2 front end smashes. I removed the wings and inner wings as the front end wasnt fitted very well and the shut lines where awful.
Ive now seen that the toeboard where the subframe mounts has been pushed back and is buckled and bent. Should i replace the toeboard? I have no idea how to measure how much it is off by and dont know how to fit a new toe board and line it up right since the front end is off so i will have nothing to line it up with.
I am new to welding so dont have great skills and the toeboard looks a nightmare to fit, is it? Would leaving the toeboard on that is bashed and out of shape affect the suspension geometry much? I dont like doing jobs by halfs so if it needs replaced ill have to take the time to do it.

Thanks

Daniel

[1380davis]

i read on another post someone had the same problem ,he managed to push or pull it out rather than replace it as it does sound a nightmare to replace it, he used like a tool or something used in bodyshops , worth asking a bodyshop specialist if it is repairable i spose.


rob

[mike.]

To do a proper job of it you'd need to get it put on a jig and have it pulled out properly and back to the right angles and proportions or replace the panel.

Edited by minimadmike, 20 September 2008 - 11:37 PM.

[jack_marshall]

Depends how deformed it is.

It its really not too bad, lump hammers, blocks of wood and tape measures are your best/cheapest friend.

Then theres portapower if its a little more bent.

Then theres the expense of putting it on a jig.

But if the cars been driven since having the smashes it cant be that bent or someone would have noticed!

[1984mini25]

The only problem I can see is if you do replace the panel, once you have chopped it out, the new one might not fit as the surrounding metal might still be out/bent, witch wouldn’t of been as obvious at first.

[daniel_johno]

Bit of an update to this, i have the mini rolled on its side and have been stripping the underseal off the floor. From what i can see i am going to have to replace or patch the floor in several places, the boot, in rear arches and it has oversills fitted so i will replace these with genuine sills.

My question is should i get the front end replaced first then sort the floor and everything after or start from the back and work forward? If you can make out from the pics the front of the floor by the toeboard is dented and buckled as is the inner arches. would this affect which panels i replace first?

Thanks for looking

Daniel

[JustGo4It_]

Bit of an update to this, i have the mini rolled on its side and have been stripping the underseal off the floor. From what i can see i am going to have to replace or patch the floor in several places, the boot, in rear arches and it has oversills fitted so i will replace these with genuine sills.

My question is should i get the front end replaced first then sort the floor and everything after or start from the back and work forward? If you can make out from the pics the front of the floor by the toeboard is dented and buckled as is the inner arches. would this affect which panels i replace first?

Thanks for looking

Daniel

You should start in the middle of the car and work your way out. You picked a heck of a car if you are not confident with your welding. If the car is truly worth saving you should change out the floor pans. Abrasive blast the panels you keep and treat them with epoxy or etch primer. The job will be much easier with a spit.

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