12 replies to this topic

[Yeti]

Hey guys, is it possible to remove the front wings from my 1978 pickup without damaging them? Everywhere I have looked says I have to cut them off and bin them....... I want to remove but not butcher them off.


Anyone done this?



MR Benn

[Big_Adam]

Their spot welded right, get a spot weld remover drill thingy, like a tiny holesaw with a pin in the middle.

You'll end up with a load of little holes but it will work.

[The Matt]

Tis very tricky to get em off intact. It's usually easier if they have been replaced at some point though!

[Yeti]

What about where they join around the scuttle at the top?


I would like them off in one piece ideally, its a very long story....



Mr Benn

[Mini Man Dan]

I took the wing off on my mini using a spot weld drill and they were intact afterwards apart from the rust holes lol. Well i say I, i mean my dad

[Guess-Works.com]

You can drill the spot welds out... bu the place you'll have difficulty with is the connection between the wing and valance... (unless of course you remove the front in one piece, ie both wings and valance in one go )... but for the cost of replacement panels, IMO, not worth it...

PS, the wing is not attached (or should not be ) to the scuttle..

And dont forget when you come to weld the panels back on, it's likely you're going to have to clean and respray them anyway

[midridge2]

the original wings are spotwelded to the scuttle panel.
if the car has original wings you can drill the spotwelds out down the flange under the bonnet and with luck down were it joins the apex panel the hard bit is the ones were the wing joins the front panel and the ones around the scuttle panel.

[Yeti]

The wings have very little paint left, I've been stripping the whole car, run out of awsome sanding disks (not the normal type ones). I have a budget that is so minimal its stupid, im currently with no job (just spent the last hour with a job agency). So I belive I can repair/maintain them for a while longer, and Its going flip front so if it all comes as one section, All the better.



Mr Benn

[Guess-Works.com]

the original wings are spotwelded to the scuttle panel.

No they're not, there should be a skim of seam seal between the scuttle and the wing.....

And yes it will all come off in one section...

Edited by GuessWorks, 23 April 2007 - 05:56 PM.

[Yeti]

I shall go and aquire on of those spot weld drill thingy bits. I know what they look like. And I'll tell you in the next few days if its welded to the scuttle or not lol

Cheers for the help guys, yet again this site has helped me out



Mr Benn

[Sprocket]

PS, the wing is not attached (or should not be ) to the scuttle..

Original factory wings are spot welded allong the scuttle and an absolute b!tch to get at with any sort of tool other than chisling them off which is not what you want.

Should be fine if they have been replaced though as most dont weld that area back up

[midridge2]

sorry guessworks but i have been taking mini wings of since 1969 and factory fitted wings are spotwelded around the scuttle panel, i removed 2 wings about 6 months ago and they were factory fitted wings are were still spotted on and it was a 1995 model.
maybe all the wings you have done had been done before.

[Guess-Works.com]

I will stand corrected, but I've never come across one spot welded... Seam welded yes which is a complete pain in the arse....

I'll find out when I take the front off my 72' which I know is all original metal...