Un-spot welding

[doommachine]

OK just got a quote for the repair of the galant.. 800 bucks.

Yeah.. nah. They won't allow me to remove all the panels from the GSR first so it's a simple panel swap, because they need to "align all panels and check" in order to do it. Whatever, it's just a radiator support, the worst thing that can happen is the radiator is off centre slightly.

Anyway... has anyone got any experience removing spot welded panels?

I can see how easy it is to get the broken part off, but unfortunately doing so would damage the nose cone, which means the replacement part won't be able to be attached (ie, if I drill out the weld with a spot weld removal bit, it will leave the welding surface on the car but not on the nose cone).

I have googled a lot but I haven't really been able to find much info on doing it outside of doorskins, and they recommend you glue them on rather than reweld.

Is this an option with the nose cone? Is the glue they use for doorskins adequate to hold the radiator up?

I dunno any info people can provide would be helpful.

 

[doommachine]

Oh, if I go the route of using a spot weld removal bit on the replacement panel, is it acceptable practice to spot weld next to the original point of welding? Or is this dangerous?

 

[BYBY5L]

800 bucks?? is that shopping around an asking how much for cash?? 800 isnt to bad to replace it,

dunno bout galants but radiator support gives the headlights the line above the bar an line below the bonnet, being the first thing ya see when its coming towards ya id want it to be bang on personally

probly wouldnt glue it, (tho ive never seen it used before) with the twisting under power it might crack, an eventually let the bonnet go
ive always drilled em out an then they got re-welded, i cant weld so i cant say bout rewelding, sure it'd be fine

 

[265T]

OK just got a quote for the repair of the galant.. 800 bucks.

bring it around, i'll do it for half that

it must be welded & as BYBY5L said if it isn't done correctly nothing will line up

 

[murray]

it all depends on the way the car was hit. if it was hit from the left, you may have to pull the front around first (with the raditator suport on). if it was hit straight on maby a rail is bent and may need to be pulled back out?
check if there is any kinks under the battery and air cleaner. u may need to pull it out first.
i would not use glue. drill out the old spot welds, if you dont go all the way through, weld the new one back in the same spot, it will not weaken it
before you weld it, put the panels on and make sure they line up, even try the headlights. it is so much eaiser to fix before you weld it

 

[doommachine]

The reason I went to this panel beater is it's near my house - I don't want to pay to get the GSR towed back, plus the VR4 isn't exactly in drivable condition (radiator hose is extremely bent). It's close enough that I can push both there.

Theres no chassis or inner guard damage at all, only the radiator support panel is bent in. Honestly Entaran suggested slide hammering it out and that would probably be OK but I don't want the car to look bent.

I guess I can hire a spot welder?

Does it need to be welded in the same spots? If so how do you undo the spot weld on the replacement panel without drilling the metal out?

I looked at the panel and I really didn't think it would be that expensive to remove and replace. I was expecting a quote of 400, to be honest.

Thanks for the offer 265t but then the GSR would be stuck at your house You don't need a GSR hehe...

 

[DOUGMO]

its worth the money-your not paying for the welding as such but the skills they have to line it up nice and straight - well worth it imo. car looks nice - retains resale value etc...

 

[doommachine]

Yeah.. I agree in part but like murray says if I check that it lines up first it should be cool. 800 bucks just isn't worth it, I'd rather part the car out.

 

[mrcyborg]

i would say just take it to paul. i get the priviledge to see all sorts of dodgy fixed cars. seriously, get paul to do it, he will do it twice as quick as you can, it will very hard to see that it has even been done when done by a pro (it is what paul does for a living). and yes, it is the very front of the car the first thing that is seen, and it lines up everything on the front and even gaurds bonnet and stuff as well.

 

[philsth]

When I had to have a new rear 1/4 panel fitted to a corolla, the panel beater I used said he grinds off the the damaged panel leaving the good part or part your reusing intact he wasn't keen on the drill out mig up hole method, he re spot welded just like manufacturer.
He did explain the reason but i don't remember now.

Cheers
Phil

 

[rob323]

By a proper spot weld drill bit, it makes it alot easier than using a normal drill bit. Or, use a 12mm drill bit with a 120 degree tip, just don;t drill all the way through the second panel, just enough for the radiator support panel to come off.

 

[murray]

use a mig welder to weld it back on, u dont have to use a spot welder.

 

[Velocity Racing]

Do yourself a huge favor and just take it to Paul. You could pay to get the GSR towed afterwards and still have $350 bucks in your pocket over what the other place would charge!! Not to mention Paul would probbaly do a bettter job anyway!

 

[doommachine]

Alright.. well.. no I know, I'll just take the front off the GSR prior, and shove it in the boot. THat saves bringing the GSR back.

 

[doommachine]

OK so I think I will get Paul to do it, I feel suitable amounts of dread at the idea of having the whole thing dodgy.

Um.. I have PM'd you Paul but you havent answered?

 

[265T]

sorry my inbox was full & i didn't recieve it, could you please resend it