how the ~#*%$ do you get the front wings off a mark 3

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rshyndy
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how the ~#*%$ do you get the front wings off a mark 3

Post by rshyndy »

i used to consider myself a good mechanic and welder but im absolutly stumped. how do the sodding things come off and where can i get replacements. i have a small ammount of rot on the top of the n/s and the bottom of the o/s is split all up the front. i will try upload pics. whats the chances of finding more nastys once the wings are removed. if the wings are repairable by someone better at bodywork than myself, is it still a good idea to take them off and check behind the wing??? someone please help me
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Re: how the ~#*%$ do you get the front wings off a mark 3

Post by andrewg1323 »

Bear in mind they'll probably be fecked behind so budget for additional work!

They;re welded with spot welds along the top, coupla bolts where it meets the alance and a few weds at the base of the a pillar
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Re: how the ~#*%$ do you get the front wings off a mark 3

Post by Chavcapri »

If the wing to come off isn't to be re used then 5 minutes with an air chisel cutting well within the mounting flanges will take off the majority of the wing then carefully trim the wing off the flanges. Unless you are very lucky you will have to repair either lower A pillar, A pillar, wing mounting rail, headlamp bowl. If you're really unlucky, all of them but whatever you find must be repaired before refitting the new wing. If you don't then you're just wasting your time.It's all striaghtforward stuff.
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Re: how the ~#*%$ do you get the front wings off a mark 3

Post by Peter-S »

Have a look on ebay for replacements, there's quite a few on there for betweeb £60 - 80. CCI sell them too but usually a bit more expensive as are expressed steel panels. Also bear in mind that replacements are pattern parts and will need a bit of fettling to get a good fit. :goodluck:
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Re: how the ~#*%$ do you get the front wings off a mark 3

Post by Jaxon »

Ed China covers it in this old episode of Wheeler Dealers I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc97Mw_JVGw
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Re: how the ~#*%$ do you get the front wings off a mark 3

Post by Burtr »

8-) Let me help you with that ! I've been trying to find a simple way to do this too and have come to a conclusion. And you need one, well no two very new and sharp spot weld drill bit removers. They are drill bits designed to remove spot welds without damaging the metal underneath (although it often happens). Get them from Screwfix £8 a pop. I chiselled and hammered my passenger front wing and it was taking bloody ages to get off. Being the impatient sort I ended up angle grinding the wing all the way up the wing rail and smacking the *%$" outta it. For the drivers side i bought a spot weld remover, cleaned the areas on the drip rail with a rag where i thought the spotwelds were. Drilled them out and wing was off in half a shake. Then i removed the top strut mount strengthening plate the same way. It was simple enough. Throwing the wing to the floor i then bent up what was left of the wing mounting rail on the inner wing so once i had drilled the spotwelds out of the strut top strengthening plate i could bend the strengthening plate up and out of the way. The reallllllll biyatch was the 8 spotwelds down the inner wing (by the coil and fuel pump) holding the strengthening plate on. It was so rusty though i just smacked them with a chisel. Now, with the wing off, the strut top strenghtening plate off i now need to remove the wing strengthening bracket. This is also spot welded, so the drill bits are coming in useful. If anyone has any tips or pics how to do this better, let me know. I am a little concerned about welding though, because the fuel pump is off and the fuel pipes are moved out of the way with clingfilm and ties on them...
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Re: how the ~#*%$ do you get the front wings off a mark 3

Post by tck »

dead easy..4" angle grinder...grind every spot weld off the top drip rail, the few spots on the bottom where it joins the sill..gring the couple of stitches down the a pillar...and grind straight through at the join with the front valance (allowing a little for later trimming).....and dont forget the only bolt on the top drip rail...and the two where it joins the front valance....if you aint bothered about mutilating stuff use an air chisel...done loads over the years, takes a little time if you want it removed without destroying whats underneath......dont be suprised to see your inner wings with loads of rot in yer face..
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Re: how the ~#*%$ do you get the front wings off a mark 3

Post by rshyndy »

cheers for the response. my wings arent that bad on the outside. i could probably repair them but if replacements are cheap enough it might be easier to get new. im fairly confident that it wont be to bad underneath the wings but i wont know until im in there.
does anyone have a price or a company who sells front wings???

also, does anyone know a reliable supplier of rear wheel bearings???
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Re: how the ~#*%$ do you get the front wings off a mark 3

Post by Chavcapri »

I supply wings, bearings and most other parts you will need.
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Re: how the ~#*%$ do you get the front wings off a mark 3

Post by thebigsham »

wheeler dealers on youtube. is a must. to remove wings. you just have toi be cruel to be kind when removing them.

you can try to drill out all the spot welds first and get it sorted. but you have to remove the door. to do it right.

if its passenger side its some much easier. getting up into the brackets behind dash is easy. but Drivers side, Allow extra time. and ban any swear boxes. from being added to your garage. due the stripe/ refit. if you have a good friend with skinny girly wrists then your in a better postion than i have in past to start with.

if it cheaper to repair wings in place, than remove and replace. i'd always opt for that first. as most non EO parts dont fit great, and you'll spend ages getting it right.

good look and may the Ford be with you!!
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rshyndy
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Re: how the ~#*%$ do you get the front wings off a mark 3

Post by rshyndy »

thanks the big sham. i only have a small area of rust and pepper pot holes in the usual placees on the very front of the wing. there is only 2 or 3 small areas uner the car that need repairing and as far as i can see there has been no other repairs, so pretty solid really. but there has been some strut top repair panels fitted at some point so im kind of unsure weather to remove the wings and check underneath for nasties and just bite the bullet and put up with the hassle of pattern wings.
or do i stay optimistic that under the wings will be ok and just repair the wings in place.
what do you all think.
i must add that the spare wheel well is solid, the battery tray and scuttle are all solid and even the wing mirror mounts and roof drains are all solid and rust free so do you think that under the wings will be ok and i should just spray some waxoyl up under there???

and chav capri could you sort me out with a contact number again coz iv got a new fone and suprise suprise my numbers cant be transferred over and the old fone has a smashed screen.
im in need of rear wheel bearings for a d reg laser 2.0litre pinto. english axel i think although correct me if im wrong.
might even be worth replacing pinion bearings while the back end is still in bits. what sort of price for the bearings???


cheers again people
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