How do you separate the front lower lip to replace it

Thin bits of metal and bright blue light. Including glass & trim.

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what2do
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Re: How do you separate the front lower lip to replace it

Post by what2do »

If that's the case, I'd better start calling around and see who can form me a piece as I can't see the Shriner being small or cheap!
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.

boatbuilder
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Re: How do you separate the front lower lip to replace it

Post by boatbuilder »

You can buy a full width repair section ready made, no fabrication or shrinking or stretching required.
1984 1.9D (AEF Code) T25 tintop

what2do
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Re: How do you separate the front lower lip to replace it

Post by what2do »

boatbuilder wrote:You can buy a full width repair section ready made, no fabrication or shrinking or stretching required.


Ooh, I'll go and have a look, that's very interesting indeed. Thanks.
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.

thecyrusvirus
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Re: How do you separate the front lower lip to replace it

Post by thecyrusvirus »

If it helps, this is the bit I bought from schofields to repair it:

http://www.alanhschofield.com/ourparts/ ... 05036.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I haven't yet made any progress (my back has been playing up again) but I have got myself a spot weld splitting chisel and a metal disc for my 9" angle grinder. Hope to tackle it soon
1987 1.9DG Petrol High top - Cardiff, Wales

what2do
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Re: How do you separate the front lower lip to replace it

Post by what2do »

thecyrusvirus wrote:If it helps, this is the bit I bought from schofields to repair it:

http://www.alanhschofield.com/ourparts/ ... 05036.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I haven't yet made any progress (my back has been playing up again) but I have got myself a spot weld splitting chisel and a metal disc for my 9" angle grinder. Hope to tackle it soon


Topman, I've just struggled in vain to find this part. I'd suggest you also buy a good spot weld drill as too much chiselling will probably cause deformation of the panels from the impact. Good luck with yours. :ok
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.

boatbuilder
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Re: How do you separate the front lower lip to replace it

Post by boatbuilder »

Buy a decent cobalt spot weld drill. Or else buy some good 8mm normal HSS drills and learn how to grind a spot drill on a bench grinder.
1984 1.9D (AEF Code) T25 tintop

thecyrusvirus
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Re: How do you separate the front lower lip to replace it

Post by thecyrusvirus »

I have some wurth spot drill bits but my drill is too fat to get a decent angle of approach to drill the spots, especially as some of them seem very close to the inner edge. Even with an angle adapter on the drill the chuck still fouls on the front panel. How have others managed to drill them out?
1987 1.9DG Petrol High top - Cardiff, Wales

boatbuilder
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Re: How do you separate the front lower lip to replace it

Post by boatbuilder »

Can't really remember how I drilled mine out... now that I think of it, I thiink I had the same problem ... You can hammer and chisel the metal around the spot welds, leaving the spot welds themselves intact. A cheapo sharp woodwork chisel will cut through the 1mm metal pretty easily without doing damage to anything else. Don't try to just hammer at the spot welds themselves - they need grinding off. Think I used a combination of a big grinding disk and a powerfile. I remember the powerfile being really handy for that area.
1984 1.9D (AEF Code) T25 tintop

what2do
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Re: How do you separate the front lower lip to replace it

Post by what2do »

Really interesting stuff. I was going to steer clear from too much chiselling but it sounds as though it's unavoidable. I've bought a powerfile in preparation for this and loads of belts to go with it.

I was hoping to get the area sandblasted first so that I could see what I was letting myself in for - hit a brick wall as nobody locally will touch such a small job. a***! Oh well, it's getting removed anyhow. Pics to follow...
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.

boatbuilder
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Re: How do you separate the front lower lip to replace it

Post by boatbuilder »

Yeah the powerfile is great. Only problem is the belts don't last long.
1984 1.9D (AEF Code) T25 tintop

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Bigjcc55
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Re: How do you separate the front lower lip to replace it

Post by Bigjcc55 »

I've fitted quite a few of the scholfields repair panels, they are OK for all that they cost. As above you need a big grinder. I bond the new ones on with panel bond, that way there is no grinding of welds in a hard to get area and no oxidised metal surrounding the weld in a known water trap.
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Bigjcc55
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Re: How do you separate the front lower lip to replace it

Post by Bigjcc55 »

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1985 1.9 Devon moonraker
1992 2.1 SA big window syncro
1991 TDI syncro panel van

what2do
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Re: How do you separate the front lower lip to replace it

Post by what2do »

Well, that's a another method to consider. Do you have any more progress pics please?
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.

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Bigjcc55
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Re: How do you separate the front lower lip to replace it

Post by Bigjcc55 »

I'll try and dig some out, this one was done about three years ago, and is still looking good.
1985 1.9 Devon moonraker
1992 2.1 SA big window syncro
1991 TDI syncro panel van

what2do
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Re: How do you separate the front lower lip to replace it

Post by what2do »

Right, keep changing my mind on what course to take regarding this front panel. Several people are suggesting that it's actually easier to replace the entire panel rather than the lower piece that has been shown in pics above. I've looked at it today and I can't figure how to weld the r/h and l/h edges, even with the rad removed and the washer bottle out the way, access for a welding gun looks very tight. So, many have done it successfully but how?

Thanks, Mitch.
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.

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