Replacing the front panel
Turbo Mini Forums

I need to replace my front panel as the one on it looks like a Swiss cheese that has been thrown down the stairs! It looks fairly easy to remove by drilling out the spot welds on the two side brackets either side and then remove it where is attaches to the wings.

My concern is do I get a genuine one for around £110 or a pattern one for £40?

Also, I'm not great at welding so how easy are they to fit? The two brackets on either side seem easy to get too and assume they take the majority of the strength. How easy is it to attach to the wings? Are they spot welded in place originally? If I get really stuck, can I bolt it to the wings?

Thanks in advance!

Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary, now that's what'll get ya!

You get what you pay for!

Ive replaced dozens and find the genuine no better than the pattern parts tbh.
Get the new panel in front of you and it'll be obvious to you where to cut the old one off.
They were spotwelded to the wings as standard but most people run half a dozen seam welds along the seam edges under the wing. You can plug weld them but its tricky due to awkward access or spotweld them if you have access to a spotwelder.
My biggest tip is fit new teardrop mounts at the same time

Paul

I seriously doubt it!

No you cannot bolt it on, it has to be welded.

They are easy enough, but make sure the bonnet lines up well before you start the job, and then make sure everything lines up nicely before you start welding in anger. A few small tacks then check for fit etc.

If you can borrow or hire a spot welder with decent length arms it is even easier.

Here is what the panel looks like at the moment. It's hard to tell the condition of it but you can see a lot of dents in it.



Am I better off trying to repair it?

Here is where it attaches to, it looks fairly simple to remove and replace:





It has already been replaced before by a previous owner and this is what it looks like:



Am I better to try and borrow a spot welder or try to plug weld it?

Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary, now that's what'll get ya!

That front panel looks like the original from the spot welds. Either that, or someone has made a very neat job of replacing it. I would say that the weld on the edges is where new wings have been fitted to the existing front panel.
Personally I would spot weld if possible, takes a bit longer to prep, but the actual welding part takes minutes and looks very neat, also very strong if done properly.
Why not fill in your location in your profile, you may find someone local has one you can borrow or hire, I know of at least 3 or 4 people on here that have one.

As Tom says that looks like the original front panel. Its nice to see inner wings that in good condition, it will make your job a lot easier

I seriously doubt it!

Thanks, thought that I did put my location in.

I live in Jersey so doubt anyone local would be on this site that would have a spot welder spare. Just trying to see if any local shops would be able to hire one out but doubt it

Thanks for all your help guys. I will let you know how I get on.

Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary, now that's what'll get ya!

I'd go for a pattern panel, because of the price difference, that is what I have and the fit is very good! I have also had ALOT of heritage panels recently that im not overly impressed with.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fusion-Fabri..._homepage_panel

www.fusionfabs.co.uk



1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

As i'm local top you I know neither SGB or Normans hire them out over here pal, so think it fairly unlikely you'll be able to hire one, unless you know anyone connected to the trade that would be able to 'borrow' one for ya?
You'll get a mig welder from SGB though if you've not got one - so you'll be able to plug weld it on 'easily' enough....

On 27th Feb, 2011 fasteddie84 said:
Thanks, thought that I did put my location in.

I live in Jersey so doubt anyone local would be on this site that would have a spot welder spare. Just trying to see if any local shops would be able to hire one out but doubt it

Thanks for all your help guys. I will let you know how I get on.

Edited by Fortecphil on 27th Feb, 2011.

Thanks Phil. I am trying a few friends to see if they know of anyone with one.

I haven't done much welding before and would prefer to spot weld it, if I could.

I was thinking about buying a spot welder, use if for what I need it to and then sell it one. As such, what do people think about this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RAM-TOOLS-NEW-Spot-W...=item2c5b0fbe0d

Seems ok for the amateur mechanic and if I could sell it on, then happy days. I have no experience with these so would appreciate the advice.

Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary, now that's what'll get ya!