r.e. body repair

Technical Area Body, Interior & Styling
2

 Hi All.

Anyone know anything about rear sill repair on mx5 mk1?

I have found a large anount of rot on the rear end if ny passanger side sill, the area affected is inner and outer sill plus end of wheel arch.

Seems a complex repair and i am not entirely sure how to proceed.

Does it require three repair sections?

Which one is done first?

Do any repair sections exist?

This is a common problem on mk1s as they are now twenty years old.

Any information would be appreciated.

Paul .M.

3

 It is a reasonably common issue

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/1254 will do everything you need I think.

 

Any (decent) bodyshop will have no issue sorting it out for you. There are plenty of people with first hand experience who will be able to give a bit more advice I’m sure.

4

Strictly speaking, It’s not necessarily your sill thats rusted out. The bit you described is just the front lower end of the rear wing, It covers the rear end of the sill for about 10". If the rot doesn’t extend too close to the lowest swag line (I.e. The “crease” that extends back from the  lowest edge of the door), Then a GOOD body-shop shouldn’t even need to get in a repair panel, With the right tools that section can be made in about 20 minutes (It’s just a one dimensional curve with a return lip shrunk into one end).

If the rots extends above the lowest swag line then It gets a little more involved so buying a repair section is usually the best option, Also, If this is the case, I’d be tempted to say that there may be significant rust in the sill underneath, This’ll need sorting at the same time.

Try to get the body-shop to “Plug weld” the return lip and lower edge of this panel because if its welded continuously it can form a water trap and in relatively few years you’ll be doing this all again.

Its not a difficult area to repair, It’s made easer the closer to head level you can get it to though.

 

Edit : I just reread the original question… It seems I didn’t read it particularly well the first time and ended up answering what I thought had been asked… Sorry.