ARGH!

Post by **FrankM83** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 6:54 pm

Well first problem since the van cam from the paintshop is it seems that during the preparation the van was put on the side and the lower "block" in the A post ( the ones the door bolts bolt into) fell at the bottom of the A post. any idea how to get this apart from tearing the A post?

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:14 pm

Bent coat hanger and a lot of tedious fiddling about? Failing that, cut a hole in the cover panel, put the plate back, weld up the hole, and paint over. That area is hidden once the wing's attached.

Post by **Nadir** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:17 pm

There isn't an access hole for the coat hanger, is there?

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:26 pm

You'd have to go in through one of the holes for the hinge screws and carefully manoeuvre it back into place - it would take more than one piece of stiff wire and a lot of hassle I expect.

Post by **Nadir** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:35 pm

I think it would take a miracle

Post by **MoggyTech** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:37 pm

Sheet of paper to protect the paint, and a powerfull magnet.

Post by **Nadir** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 9:24 pm

I *really* think you're on a hiding to nothing. For the plate to 'fall out', part of the tab holding the plate captive must have disappeared, and even if it were still there,I can't see how you could get the plate back in. I very much hope I'm wrong, but I reckon you're into cutting into the pillar from the rear and finding out what's going on/sorting it out. Sorry

but it's a job I've actually done

Post by **Nadir** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:16 pm

OK, pic of the pillar from the inside here - http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj21 ... pillar.jpg
The red line is the shape of the plate retaining piece, and it covers the space between the outside of the post and the flitch, leaving no room for the plate simply to fall out

Post by **jonathon** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:16 pm

I agree Nadir, it should be impossible for the plate to fall out and I'm not too convinced that if all is as it should be inside ,that the plate can be placed into position from the hinge side. However if Alex has done it then well done. I 'd cut a section from the pillar cover. Make the hole as high as possible so that you are not welding at the bottom of the pillar,sill area, as this can pull the pillar when the weld shrinks, taking it higher and cooling quickly will reduce the chance of this problem.

Post by **alex_holden** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:57 am

I was just suggesting an alternative he could try first as he said he didn't want to cut it open. "Failing that, cut a hole in the cover panel, put the plate back, weld up the hole, and paint over."

Post by **RogerRust** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:43 am

I know that this is "shutting the door after the horse has bolted" but as a reminder to others always put at least one hinge bolt back in to retain the plate when you take a door off and the same applies for door latches and anything else that has a retaining plate.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:01 am

I agree, if the door bolt captive thread plate has fallen out- the retaining flanges must have rotten away, meaning the rest of the A pillar will not be far behind. I would replace the whole a pillar, or at least the bottom section. (I think these are available seperately- must check).

Post by **jonathon** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:51 pm

Bottom repairs are available. I'd advise against complete pillar repair unless its totally shot, mainly because the new ones available now are dreadful. Poor quality steel, dubious amount of effort made to create correct datum points and correct shape. Retain as much as possible of the original car wherever safe/economical to do so.

Post by **kennatt** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:57 pm

had exactly the same problem,tried bits of wire,could feel the plate in the bottom of the post but could do nothing with it ,tried the magnet bit as well,no joy probably due to the amount of rust inside. Eventually decided to cut and shut .Left the bottom of the a post as it was ,to keep everything in line ,split the post with a grinder above hinge and down to the sill both sides,then pulled the bit of post down. Found the plate in the bottom of the a post (I almost forget the next bit but do it to save agro) Cleaned the plate up and ran a tap down the threads to make sure they would not bind,The reason that the plate pulled off its retainers in the first place. Remade the retaining boxes inside the a post and refitted the plate,then welded up the cuts.Been done 10 years now and have had the same door off several times,but greased the nuts up to stop them binding again,Don't want to go through that again.good luck with it

Post by **dunketh** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:30 am

If you were a shameful bodger I guess you could use rivnuts in place of the proper plate.
Wont afford much strength though.

Post by **jonathon** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:59 am

Wouldn't allow for movement to achieve the correct fit either.Don't think they are available as sleeved reducing riv nuts either. Proper bodge is to weld the hinge to the pillar as one of our customers has found on his custom minor

Post by **FrankM83** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 10:30 pm

well I dont know exactly how it fell off but it seems the thread slided to the left and fell out during shot blasting the ratining pieces that hold it in place are in place as i can see them throught the holes with a torch, anyway Im going to tear the back panel out and see what I find!

P.S. If someone could get me a better photo of the pillar from the inside, would be much appreciated

Post by **Nadir** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 10:49 pm

I'll take one from the rear (different pillar) tomorrow - but there isn't room for it to "slide out", honest

Post by **FrankM83** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 11:58 pm

thanks would really appreciate that as we had the cover panel out an the pillar was solid so I can't understand exactly what happend! Thanks again

Post by **Nadir** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 12:47 am

A pleasure - just lucky I've got so many in pieces