Inner wing panels

Post by **bigginger** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:40 pm

I'm not with my Minors just now, so I can't check things physically, but I've just bought a couple of inner wing repair panels (flitch to hinge pillar) and was surprised to find that the rear is bent at a 45 degree angle (Hadrian parts). I've been pondering over how they should be fitted - do they simply cover the area behind the post, or will I need to chop out some patches for that area? Also, where and how (yeah, I know 'welding') do these angled pieces connect?

Post by **jonathon** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 11:37 pm

Andrew, these panels are cheap and horrible in my opinion. The angled panel is meant to represent the back of the hinge pillar but is miles out of shape. I would suggest removing the back of the original hinge pillar. Remove the plate behind this if it is badly corroded, flatten out the repair panel so as it can be fed right up against the back edge of the the front of the pillar. Then use a proper hinge pillar cover and weld both into place. Make sure that the door is fitted during this operation and that the door gaps are set as you want them. Welding in the back of the pillar will shrink the steel and pull the pillar forwards, so go carefully when welding and check the gap constantly.

Post by **bigginger** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 12:19 am

Excellent - that was my idea too, but thought I might be missing something. It did seem a little queer to have the panel running diagonally across things...

Post by **chickenjohn** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 3:59 pm

Yes, I did simmilar to Jonothan, I also just cut the angled bit off, you can buy the properly shaped rear of the a post hinge panel

for four quid or so. Next time I might just make up my own inner wing panel and weld in the captive nuts according to the holes in the front wing- as its just a flat sheet of 1.2mm.

Post by **bigginger** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:24 pm

I've made so many in the last few months that I thought I'd treat myself, only to end up puzzled... Thing is, it's the area behind the pillar that has rotted out, so it does seem queer that the repair section doesn't replace it

Post by **jonathon** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:32 pm

The full flitch panel does, and also incorporates the front face of the hinge pillar. Maybe we could suggest that they make the shorter repair panel to the same spec.

Post by **bigginger** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:39 pm

It would make sense. I've cut a couple of old flitches and used them before now, and assumed that the rear repair piece would be the same. As you said, cheap and nasty...

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:56 pm

I agree with all - yet another example of poor spares

The strength of the hinge pillar comes from what is inside. If you repair a car using the panel as supplied, it will result in a shoddy repair