Inner wings

[Daz1968]

I need a little advice regards inner wing fitting on my mk2, I was expecting the return lip on rear of the heritage wings to be spot welded to the outer a panel inside the door jam, I have fitted the wing correctly and it lines up everywhere else but it is a good 20mm away from the place I wanted to spot weld it to, I really can't see anything wrong with any of the panel fit so am at a loss what to do, anyone have any advice regards this issue,
Failing cutting off the return lip and welding a new one on I can't see how it could be done.

[STG95F]

Daz any chance of some photos of the problem area ?

I know the Heritage Inner wings are not the best fit at all . I had major issues with the N/S on my MK2

Ian

[Daz1968]

Thanks

Please see pics below,



It fits fine on bulkhead, under floor and at bottom, it's just the top of door post, other than cutting it I can't see a way around it as it's so far off the a panel is correct as door fits fine,








I really don't think it will clamp over without causing issues elsewhere

[STG95F]

Wow , that's out a fair bit

I take it the outer A Panel all lines up ok with the door fitted and sitting flush ( A to Door skin )

Maybe its the Pressing that's wrong . I know i had some issues again on the N/S on my MK2 . ( It was more at the bottom )

[Daz1968]

Yes the door fits perfect, nice even gaps and flush

Of trial fit of door

[STG95F]

You know at the top of the A ( body line ) is that flush with the door or is it sitting out ??

[Daz1968]

Not sure if this pic shows it better but the door fit is the best I can get, it he door frame is pretty level all the way round, what I can't understand is it fits fine everywhere else, even trial fitted bonnet and it lines up with gutters on top, I may be able to pull it a little but not that much. The a panel is a full one with post so not very easy to fit wrong

[STG95F]

The only other thing . When doing my MK1 the M-Machine A Panel took some reworking to get right at the top by the body line area /A post joint

[Daz1968]

Thanks, will have to bolt door on properly and have a good look around as it's not too late to alter anything at the moment. I know the door post was level with seam on scuttle joint and body seam strip fitted ok to body, the door upper frame is also pretty level all the way round. In fact I was very pleased with the door fit and a panel alignment. I have also had a straight edge across doorway and along a panel and rear quarter and I was happy with it at the time.

I just don't want to weld in the inner wing until I am happy with progress.

[STG95F]

with everything you have said it all seems ok and correct . And the amount of gap you have 20mm on the inner wing area , if there was an error it would stand out a mile . Maybe its just a very bad pressed Inner wing ??

[InimiaD]

My friend had the same problem with his van.
He slit the inner wing, "bashed" it out to meet the A post and then welded in a strip to "fill" the gap.
He wasn't a particularly happy bunny with Heritage.

[STG95F]

Not the first Time have a heard this about Heritage

[Daz1968]

I also trial fitted inner a panel and it also slots in ok and lines up with holes on outer panel and also scuttle closer is in correct position, also lines up fine at bottom, think I was exaggerating with 20mm think it's about 13-15mm out at top,

[InimiaD]

A couple of mm here or there is not too bad, but 15 > 20mm is a shambles.

Edit. Not directed at your fine work Daz. Heritage panels fit is my issue.

[BLT]

Hi Daz. I know your pain. I have just done this and it's a pig of a job. I used m-machine inner wing repairs and had the same problem. Profile is not good. In the end I removed the inner A post stiffener(with the check strap captives on) so I could clamp it all together with some force. I then spot welded and replaced the stiffener with a new part which, guess what, didn't fit very well either. Both the inner wing and stiffener needed plenty of bashing with a hammer first. Fits great now and is super strong, but took patience. From your picture I'd suggest pushing it up a bit and bending in the very top zig-zaggy bit if it snags. If it means chopping metal off the top or adding it to the bottom, or having to remould the lip at the bottom around the toe board/floor, then that's just the way it is. Good luck.

[Nick W]

Daz I have a nos bmc inner wing I can measure the offending area if you want.
Looks like your doing a proper job, that's why this problem is annoying you !

[STG95F]

As others have said , I don't think for one second its something you have done Daz . its just down to panel quality

[Daz1968]

I can't really move the inner wing up as it is aligned level to other side and shock absorber mounts, will clean up the hinges and fit the door properly check everything over then if I need to slit the flange off inner wing and move it to the a post then make a template for a piece to let in the inner wing, it's only clamped on so I can remove it and weld it up then try the fit again, just glad others have had problems in this area as it's a critical part in getting the front aligned correctly and I want it right. I currently have no inner post as I have cut it out and have a new one to fit after the spotwelds are done.

Thanks for comments as it helps the thought process.

[Daz1968]

Nick, if you can measure somewhere on the original wing it may help put my mind at rest, only place I can think of is width of flat area near the indent at the top, I also fitted a new crossmember end piece, the triangular shaped one, it was an m machine part but when compared to my old original the upper angle was different, I couldn't get the wing anywhere near, I had to modify this slightly but am happy now that this point is in correct position, this however wouldn't effect the area I have issue with now.

I also notice the original inner wing is curved inwards from bulkhead to the front in the channel for wing but the heritage one is almost straight so this may need a few tweaks when I align the wings with bonnet, this should be easy by comparison though.

Thanks

[BLT]

Yes I see how you can't move it up as its a complete inner wing, mine was just the repair. You'll just have to force it, maybe bend out/bash or joggle the top section to approx the right profile, then clamp from the inside to the A pillar outer shoulder, spot weld, then move down. As long as the A panel inner fits it will be ok. Anyway, it's happened to a few people by the sound of it so just one of those joys of restoring a mini. I ended up using 2 panels as I had to 'encourage' the first one so much! Still got the other side to do.