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Wing removal and front end overhaul
http://forum.triumphdolomite.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=25131		 Page 1 of 5
Author:  ToledoZombie [ Thu Jun 06, 2013 3:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Wing removal and front end overhaul
Hi all
Sorry it's been a long time since I visited.
I'm about to start the replacement of my old wings with some of Aluns finest grp versions.
Can anyone give me any guide on how to do this in a correct manner? I have a couple of new spot weld drill bits. Is it door off? And how is it possible to get to the ones on the inside of the door hung area. I'd like to do a nice neat job without butchering the car. Is there any hidden problem areas?
Thanks in advance
Author:  Carledo [ Thu Jun 06, 2013 10:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wing removal tips?
Door off? Absolutely! The back edge is one of the 2 problem areas, its best to cut the wing off from here, leaving just the joining flange on the car then remove the flange carefully afterwards to avoid distortion.
The other tricky bit is at the top front where the wing joins the outer valance front upper panel and the eyebrow. Again cut off making all your cuts on the wing side then tidy up afterwards. In my ignorance I actually cut through what was left of my eyebrows (not much, and not much of a disaster since I was also fitting the GRP valance) but I think it may be possible to locate and drill out the spotwelds holding the wing to the eyebrow if yours are still good.
Best tool for cutting off is an angle grinder with the thinnest cutting off disc you can buy, an air chisel will do it but will bend everything so it needs panel beating straight again!
Hope this helps,

Steve
Author:  Purplebargeken [ Thu Jun 06, 2013 10:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wing removal tips?
What Carledo said.

The 1mm disk(s) will be your friends. Just take your time.
Author:  xvivalve [ Thu Jun 06, 2013 11:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wing removal tips?
I take the door off, open up the flanges between the welds with a large screwdriver and then use a reciprocating saw to cut through the welds. Same with junction between bottom of valance and wing.

I generally leave the junction with the top of front valance and wing until last and use a good quality hacksaw blade to carefully cut down the joint (but I know where the eyebrow sits). By leaving this area until last it helps you 'feel' how you are progressing. With everything else loose, the spot welds onto the eyebrow itself often fatigue.

When I take off a wing its usually so it and the valance can be re-used!
Author:  ToledoZombie [ Fri Jun 07, 2013 9:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wing removal tips?
Thanks guys
I have obtained a reciprocating saw today, so tomorrow i will remove the doors and have a go with that. Spot welds on the top have drilled out nicely. I've removed wings before bit only as scrap so this time I'm trying to be more carefull, the front panel is being replaced too as the lower half is grotty. Is there any money to be made from the top half of the panel I remove? Only funds are tight and it would help find some of the materials.

Oh and it looks like i'll have to tackle the sills now as they have gone through on the front half.
I'm guessing i would need to chop fown dolly sills for this?
Alun can you give me any prices?
Author:  xvivalve [ Fri Jun 07, 2013 10:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wing removal tips?
If the top half of the front panel is OE and in good condition, then yes, its well worth salvaging!!!

The cills are I believe the same length for the two door tolly (but happy to be corrected on this) so the outer dolly sill that we supply should fit a treat complete.

Cills delivered to members are £37.00 for one side or £62.00 for a pair ordered and delivered at the same time. Alternatively, £25.00 each collected.
Author:  ToledoZombie [ Fri Jun 07, 2013 5:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wing removal tips?
If anyone has any photos of the club cills it would be appreciated as I would like to start work on removing the old ones but would like to know how far I need to chop out.
Author:  Carledo [ Fri Jun 07, 2013 8:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wing removal tips?
I fitted the club sills to my 2 door car, the length is perfect. The sill is for a 4 door (obviously) and is the same shape as a "skin sill" ie it doesn't include the front bit behind the wing and it only goes into the door shut as far as the first lip.
What I did to make it fit the 2 door was to leave 1" of the original sill in place from the back of the door to the wheelarch then put a set in it with a joddler. I then removed the lip and a bit more from the corresponding section of the sill and after a bit of fine fettling, hole punched and plug welded the sill to the joddled section. A smear of filler then makes the join invisible. I think there are a couple of snaps of this in my "Carledos Way" restoration thread. (I'd put them up again here but i'm STILL having problems with photobucket)
Its also worth noting that it helps (once the old sill is off) to slightly bend down the edge of the shut where the sill fits over to give the door a bit more clearance.

Steve
Author:  ToledoZombie [ Sat Jun 08, 2013 9:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wing removal tips?
That's great Steve.. Just had a look at your resto. My inner front panel will have to be repaired.
What did you do with regard to the eyebrow
One wing off this morning, inner front panel is in terrible state, I knew it was corroded but not this bad. Everything up yo the inner wing is shot . Alun, how much metal comes with your end sections?
Author:  Carledo [ Sat Jun 08, 2013 8:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wing removal tips?
Quote:
That's great Steve.. Just had a look at your resto. My inner front panel will have to be repaired.
What did you do with regard to the eyebrow
One wing off this morning, inner front panel is in terrible state, I knew it was corroded but not this bad. Everything up yo the inner wing is shot . Alun, how much metal comes with your end sections?
TBH I got the GRP eyebrows but ultimately left them out :oops: with my new inner front panel being well strong enough to hold up the headlights unsupported, the GRP eyebrows needing much fettling to fit (and being quite expensive) and the fact that once the grilles are in, you can't tell they're missing, for me it was a no brainer!
BTW the new single headlight front panel came from Mick Dolphin, last I heard, he had one more left! About £100 IIRC! Aluns repair sections are big enough to overlap the flitch but are for 4 lamp cars so need to be modded for a square headlamp car.

Steve
Author:  ToledoZombie [ Sat Jun 08, 2013 9:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wing removal tips?
I could use Aluns panels as twin lamps would be nice. 2 things holding me back though, first is there is heavy surface rust inside the inner panels middle section , and second is expense.
It certainly would be beneficial to fit a complete panel while I'm this far into it
Author:  Carledo [ Sat Jun 08, 2013 11:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wing removal tips?
It'd be quite pricey to go for 4 lamps, you would need the end repairs (app £30 ea) the headlamp mount panels (app £35 ea), 4 complete lamps (app £90 new for 4) and grilles and headlamp bezels (£?)
I'd give Mick Dolphin a bell!

Steve

EDIT, And the lovely spotlights would have to go too!
Author:  xvivalve [ Sun Jun 09, 2013 7:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wing removal tips?
Just move the spotlights in a bit ;-)

The inner end repairs extend about an inch or so past the line of the inner wing; they are actually £45 each delivered. Headlamp mounts are £35 each delivered, but only have one NS in stock at the moment, restock ordered, but no timescale on delivery
Author:  ToledoZombie [ Mon Jun 10, 2013 8:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wing removal tips?
Spoke to mick dolphin, he has one listed but cannot find it and believes its been sold. I may have to come up with another plan. I'm hoping to remove the outer panel today so I'll see how it all looks then and maybe upload some photos
Author:  xvivalve [ Mon Jun 10, 2013 6:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wing removal tips?
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