Rear inner wing flange removal

[Pedro Orange]

Hello all
Please could someone tell me if there is any reason not to remove the rear wing mounting flange?
Its just that mine have pretty much rusted through and surely if they were removed and welded up they would be easier to repair and be less of a rust trap? I can't find any threads of anyone else doing it though.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Baaaad idea to weld wings. If anything it's more of a rust-trap. Nothing hard about removing a few bolts once a year, cleaning surfaces and then rustproofing.

[Pedro Orange]

Thanks for the reply, I don't think i explained myself very well though. Sorry, I didn't mean welding the wing to the body, I meant the spot welded seam that the rear wing rests on. Can anyone think of any disadvantages to grinding this off and welding it up, other than not having a ridge to locate the outer wing on? Dont fancy fabricating two edges to plug weld together, or shelling out for the repair panel!

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Hi Pedro, welcome to the forum!

On my green minor I removed the flange you are talking about and made a piece to suit from flat steel. I think that this is fine and has given me no problems. I have also used the proper repair section on another couple of cars and found them to be difficult to fit especailly if you are also fitting new inner wings you still have a lot of bending, beating and fitting!

I'm afraid there is no quick fix on this area which ever way you decide to do. I would recommend lots of refitting of the wing to make sure its always in the correct place as there is very little room for adjustment.

[Pedro Orange]

Thanks for the welcome and the advice
I think I'll have a go at removing the flange then, just didn't want to be the first person to try it!

[chickenjohn]

Hi Pedro, if the flange is rusty what you could do is cut off the double skinned flange and weld a thicker strip of steel on in its place. This will be less rust prone and will still locate the wing.

Seam sealing the area and then afterwards wax protection will help with rust prevention as well.

[chrisryder]

i think the lip is there, not only to support the wing, but to act as a sort of 'baffle'. stopping water that flies off the tyre going straight into the gap between wing and body. if you did remove it completely, you'd have to ensure the joint was well covered in seam sealer to keep the water from going straight into the gap.

[chickenjohn]

I expect as well as the reason you mentioned Chris, and the locating of the rear wing that the flange is simply there for production reasons as it is the means by which the rear quarters and inner wing are spot welded together. Remove the flange and the rear inner wing will no longer be joined to the rear quarter/boot surround panels.

[Pedro Orange]

The thicker metal strip idea is a good one but unfortunately I've already started welding it up!
It should at least make repacing/removing the bolts easier
I thought about it stopping water going into the inner/outer wing join, but figured that as the front wing doesn't have a flange to sit on it can't be vital! Thanks for the tip, I'll slap on the seam sealer and underseal and see what happens!

Anyone got any tips to stop old seam sealer catching fire when welding?!

[Murrayminor]

I appreciate this is an old thread but on searching it seemed to be the same question I have.

My next job on the list is the rear wing flanges, I have ordered the two piece repair panels but looking at what I will call the "spot weld seam" it also appears to be rusted in places.

The question is can this "spot weld seam" be cut back flush with the inner wing giving a smooth inner wing and maybe let a flat panel into the gap left behind?

Obviously I would leave it in place to fit the new flange to ensure the fitting was correct but once I have the wing fitted correctly, can this "spot weld seam" be removed and sealed?

Regards

Dermot.

[Richie B]

Hi Dermot,
Any chance of pictures?
I posted for help on the replacement of the rear inner wheel arch panel and the 2 piece repair flanges a couple of weeks ago. Its under " Clarence 2 Door saloon" in restoration section.
I found the replacement inner wing didnt marry up with anything logical and therefore the repair flanges didnt fit too well. After a lot of fettling I did make it all work but the left hand side is not too neat looking at the moment. Im about to start on the right hand side. Ill get some pics on in the next few days as work progresses, hopefully.
Good luck

Richard

[Murrayminor]

Having mulled over the idea with a couple of cups of coffee and a lot of will it wont it I made the decision to jump in.
The results are shown here in this video

https://youtu.be/XO1J8Jrt4hM

I have seen repair panels let into bigger panels in the way I've described in the video so I think that will be the route I take.

Unless I'm doing something drastically wrong that is.

[ManyMinors]

I don't see any problem it doing away with the seam - particularly if you are able to butt weld the repair section in. It is just a rust trap and as somebody else has pointed out, it is only there because it is a simple, cheap way of joining two panels together.

[Murrayminor]

Yes the old joint was properly rusted through, I have been told to fit the wing to the flange prior to welding which I intend to do.
Once I'm happy with the fit I will weld the outer flange and then remove the inner flange and reduce the rust trap.
Many thanks.

[Richie B]

Dermot,

Looking at your video the repair flange you have looks like it has a lip on the outer edge. Is that correct as the one I have from ESM doesnt have an outer lip.
I shall be having a go at mine tomorrow.

Richard

[Murrayminor]

Dermot,

Looking at your video the repair flange you have looks like it has a lip on the outer edge. Is that correct as the one I have from ESM doesnt have an outer lip.
I shall be having a go at mine tomorrow.

Richard

Hi Richard
My repair panels are from Andrew Eggleton, and have both an inner flange and an outer flange, the inner spot weld flange on my car was rusted through so my intention is to remove the inner flange completely and make up a repair panel to suit, which will hopefully keep the rust at bay for a while.
If you need any photographs before you cut yours let me know.

Dermot.

[Richie B]

Dermot,
Thanks for reply. I will press ahead with my plan as Ive cut away all the inner wing and have room to fit the flange with extra strengthening strips on the inside of the car. The inner wing repair panel is a challenge as I found out on the left hand side. Ill get some pictures posted if I remember to take some