Best way forward

[millerman]

P1010055.JPG (917.06 KiB) Viewed 1697 times

Hi all, see photo, plan is to cut along the yellow line and weld a plate from inside the Trav and tack the plate to the vertical section. I will probably remove the wing to see if there are any other surprises. All welded joints to be seam sealed and /or Tiger Seal.

My time is at a premium and it seems to me the above is the quickest repair unless there are other better ideas???

[firedrake1942]

if it is corroded there to that extent, Is it not worth looking further at the C post and where it joins the floor pan / rear cross member. It might be worth doing the whole job and replacing the inner panel - £79 from ESM. I know time seems tight but if you start looking you may turn over a can of worms but also may be a good idea as structural corrosion is not simply an MOT issue but also a safety one.

[mogbob]

Welding " inside " the car ? ? If you're set on that , then protect all the glass , wood , interior trim, upholstery , roof lining etc basically anything within firing range of hot molten flying metal. Double check no wiring has been taken over the inner wing. If something does catch fire inside the car , with you inside it... it will be a validation of your record "Exit time " from the inside of the car. Welding Helmet ,flameproof overalls, leather welding apron and thick welding gloves will be your handicap, that's if you see the fire start straightaway ! For me it would be a complete no no. Repairs on an empty shell would be acceptable.

I would have welded from the outside, wheel removed , car on axle stand. You will have more access to move yourself and the welding torch around. Protect the other side of the weld area ( inside the car ) with non flammable material and away you go. Preparation as important as ever , back to clean metal. Lay a decent bead of weld an 1" of so at a time and move about the perimeter , so you don't set up any distortion.
Bob

[Mark Wilson]

As you have probably realised, the vertical part is the inner side of the angled flange which is welded to the inner arch and supports the wood frame. The rot will almost certainly have destroyed the flange, so taking the outer wing off and cleaning everything up is a good plan. As the rot will have been caused by leaks from the timber rail above it could just be localised, but could also be worse.

I don't think a piece in repair is impossible here with all precautions taken. Do protect your glass before you start cutting!

[biomed32uk]

I will confirm how bloomin awkward it is welding inside the car, having to do the cage nuts down inside the front legs for the rear gearbox bracket, amazing how cumbersome it all becomes. The drivers side was even worse, getting under there with a welding helmet, being able to move the torch and get to a position I could see the job - as wearing varifocals means I have to look through a certain part of them.

[millerman]

Thanks all for replies.

Welding in this area I found fairly easy and not awkward, although my welding is not brilliant the welds had good penetration. All windows masked up and old blanket over seats and removing the rear wing made life easier.