464 replies to this topic

[Avtovaz]

i take it those are magnum wings? you saw the problems i had with mine, its like the jig is very much out.

 

looks good, i cant believe its the same car already!

[Ben_O]

This front end is proving to be a bit of a nightmare.

 

It seems that I get one thing right and then something goes out.

Never mind, just have to crack on and make it work.

 

I've been using ratchet straps to pull the panels about to get what I need

 

 

 

Which does allow this join to come together somewhat but it's still a bit gappy

 

I'm starting to get things reasonably even

 

 

I can get a nice even tight gap here which is what i'm aiming for

 

 

But then this happens....

 

 

I can pull them together with grips 

 

 

But then this happens

 

 

The top of the wing rolls over. there is something wrong with the dimensions of the panels

 

I would say that it's acceptable but not excellent

 

 

 

 

 

So after a couple of hours, i'm back to square one pretty much

 

 

At least the gaps are even.

I think i'm going to have to consider modifying the wings to prevent them rolling out at the top. This means chopping them open beside the shut line, move the pieces over and then weld up the gap.

Maybe it would have been netter to use genuine...

 

 

I can get a really nice shut line down the bonnet

[floormanager]

What a game Ben.  Are all the panels from the same supplier?  Why don't they fit better?  It's not like minis have changed their size?

Paul

[Ben_O]

What a game Ben.  Are all the panels from the same supplier?  Why don't they fit better?  It's not like minis have changed their size?

Paul

Yeah all from the same place.

The problem seems to be the dimensions of the wings. You have to stretch them to reach the front panel ends which rolls the top of the wing over.

The fit I have achieved so far is the same as I have seen other minis fitted with non genuine front ends and as I said, it's acceptable but I would like better.

 

Cheers

Ben

[Sam76]

How bad were the heritage panels?

[gaspen]

I have pretty similar issues with the heritage panels, except that here the wing stretched to the other direction. Interesting fact that the RH side wing fits near perfectly, but not the LH side. The picture taken some weeks ago, after some bending now a little bit better, but still very far from good.

 

 IMG_20200915_103846.jpg   84.37K   7 downloads

 

 

[floormanager]

I'm impressed you can bend them to fit.  I'd end up with a wonky mini!

[Ben_O]

The heritage panels are getting worse hence trying these at half the price to see what differences there were in fit.

 

Gaspen, I have had the same issue as you with heritage wings. Right one fits great, left on exactly like you show in your picture.

 

Paul, bending and twisting them is necessary  to get them into shape and I did quite a bit of that today on this mini.

I wish I could have shown you guys but its difficult to describe in photos exactly what was needed.

 

Cheers

Ben

[blacktulip]

Wow this is a great thread. Top top work Ben, I'd love to have a job like this. Your living my dream!

[Kevinmini]

Could you raise the front panel to meet the wing rather than clamping the wing down to the front panel which then rolls the wing over.

Would a slice below the front indicator on the front panel allow this to be pulled up towards the wing, then an infill made to fill the gap.... also the bumper would hide this work.

[gaspen]

 

Gaspen, I have had the same issue as you with heritage wings. Right one fits great, left on exactly like you show in your picture.

 

 

That is the proof that the fault isn't in my hands   

 

I'll follow your work with interest.

 

When I first bolted on the front panel it looked "slant". If you look this picture you'll see what I mean.  

 

 eleje.jpg   86.64K   2 downloads

[Ben_O]

Could you raise the front panel to meet the wing rather than clamping the wing down to the front panel which then rolls the wing over.

Would a slice below the front indicator on the front panel allow this to be pulled up towards the wing, then an infill made to fill the gap.... also the bumper would hide this work.

It can't be raised any more as you are governed by the rear drop mounts.

I did consider raising the ends by cutting as you suggest but unless the wing is pulled down to the front panel, the front of the wing doesn't sit level.

I think I'm going to have to cut the top of the wing beside the edge to release the tension and then weld it back up.

 

Cheers

Ben

[Ben_O]

Wow this is a great thread. Top top work Ben, I'd love to have a job like this. Your living my dream!

This was my dream job and was all I wanted to do.

Couldn't believe it when the chance to work here doing it came up.

I love it!

[gaspen]

 

Could you raise the front panel to meet the wing rather than clamping the wing down to the front panel which then rolls the wing over.

Would a slice below the front indicator on the front panel allow this to be pulled up towards the wing, then an infill made to fill the gap.... also the bumper would hide this work.

It can't be raised any more as you are governed by the rear drop mounts.

I did consider raising the ends by cutting as you suggest but unless the wing is pulled down to the front panel, the front of the wing doesn't sit level.

I think I'm going to have to cut the top of the wing beside the edge to release the tension and then weld it back up.

 

Cheers

Ben

 

 

I am afraid that "forced" alignment should distort or deform the front end when the subframe removed.

 

Should I worry about that ?

[sonscar]

In my very amateur view bolting the front panel to the teardrop mounts is useful to hold it in place,it cannot reliably fix its location as there are too many variables(subframe mounts accuracy of new panel etc)The sheetmetal is cosmetic,make it fit where it looks right then worry about bolting it up,after all some cars had teardrop mounts "shimmed" from the factory.Also regards heritage vs pattern if you have to cut the panel at all it may as well be the cheapest.Just my paupers DIY views.I understand entirely if others strive for perfection and I salute them.Steve..