Write off....no way !!!

[Ianmc]

Haven't removed my rear bumper, but the Bentley manual indicates that only the 6 cylinder models have these "bumper retaining clips". You are also correct in that RealOem is not infallible. Another vote in favour of the 4 pots!

 

[Mazza]

Clips picked up and lower panel installed this morning, then went to put the number plate on......

Cant put it on with the top edge looking like that!!!!!
So need to get another one ( brand new on line 36.00 free delivery)
I would have contacted our resident breakers for one but at that price.......bit of a no brainer really. Sorry chaps!!
Also front number plate needs replacing....wasnt going to but everything else is new so not worth spoiling it.
And I can get it so its straight and not off centred as it was before.

On the upside, I am still well within the budget for the repairs ...
.mind you, I have still to pay for the respray

 

[Mazza]

Thats the plate I would like....... but not a hope in hell

 

[Synclare]

My 2002 1.9 has the clips that fit in the 'keyhole' shaped cutouts. As Brian says it allows the bumper to move without buckling bumper or wing in a minor bump. Other 4 pots I've broken have them also.
As an aside the front number plate plinth looks cool painted body colour along with the blanks by the side of the fog lights

 

[Mazza]

I wonder if the keyhole clips were an update as part of the facelift change on the 4 cylinder. ???

Thats not a bad idea, re painting the plinth and fog light side blanks....unfortunately I don't think my new plinth will arrive in time now though as the bonnet and bootlid should be completed on Monday.

 

[Mazza]

Collected the bonnet and bootlid today.

Its actually sitting on the cats bed slung across the chair .....the cat will have to sleep rough for a day or so

This picture is for @Ryan atkins ..... damage all gone !!!!

I forgot to take a picture of it the other way round to show @Jjim the finish and its too heavy to move on my own, plus it is safer that way round, plus I can refit all the bonnet parts back on.

Lots to do tomorrow now

 

[Jjim]

Looking forward to seeing it all back together.

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Looking forward to seeing it all back together.

It’s all looking good Malc, hard work but you must be pleased
Geoff

 

[Mazza]

Today was a bit of one step forward two steps back....

Boot lid done...

Not too bad refitting, put the two screws in that slot onto the hinge and did these up finger tight, then unclipped the bottom fixing of the strut and put the other screw in, and clipped the strut back. Same for the other side.
Then I aligned the hinges to the original marks on the lid and it lined up almost perfectly. Carefully lowered it down and checked the shut lines and all ok.

Used some earth wire to pull some thinner string though then connected the wires and pulled them through ...about 10 minutes.

Fitting back the locks etc took a while ( couldnt remember the order I removed them )
But eventually all in and everything working as it should.

And nothing left in the parts bin !! !

Then things started to go downhill.........
Started to put some of the parts back on the bonnet, so got my container of bits, picked out one of the washer jets, dropped it and broke the holding tang!!!!!!

@spurs fan in a coupe ....got any of these???? I am driving up the A3 saturday morning so if you have, I could call in to pick up. (2 if poss and PM with price please)
The new bonnet had some of the plastic bits already on it, so didnt need to all my parts , but then found there is a stud missing that a buffer screws on near the earth stud. Cant weld anything as would ruin the paintwork, and cant drill and tap as to thin, so only option is to find a really strong metal glue.

As it should be ...

And missing on the other side

I’ve filed down the head of a pan head screw to make a stud. So just hope this works.

The day finished on a high when the number plate base turned up

 

[Antm72]

Its looking great, hiccups are sent to try us but its all coming together

 

[Mazza]

One hiccup, fingers crossed, is now sorted.
Looking at where the stud broke off, its been missing for some time.

So small wire brush in the drill and cleaned up the area to get bare metal exposed.

Using this, as was recommended for use on metal, but only time will tell if it is any good for this application.

And a bit of pressure to hold it tight for 24 hours!!!!

And I remembered to put a big thick wad of kitchen roll under the clamp on the other side

I also made a test piece to test strength of glue. I leave it for 24 hours then try to break it apart

Thats it for today.....dont like to work too hard , and off out for a pub lunch that I will try to con my brother into paying for !

 

[Ianmc]

Will be most interesting to see how the glue fix works, have never felt right about gluing metal, likely just me though!

 

[Mazza]

Will be most interesting to see how the glue fix works, have never felt right about gluing metal, likely just me though!

To be honest Ian, I’m not really sure about it either, but at the moment is my only option.

 

[Mint]

...I will try to con my brother into paying for...

Great build thread Malc which I'm following ………...but more importantly...……….did he?

 

[t-tony]

Great build thread Malc which I'm following ………...but more importantly...……….did he?

Probably not, for laughing about a wasted trip to Mansfield Dave

Tony.

 

[Mazza]

No we went @hardtop..........sorry I mean dutch !!!!

(And he still has another Mansfield trip to do)

 

[Mazza]

Test peice failed

BUT I didnt clean all the plating off and get back to a roughened metal surface....
The stud however seems to have worked

So painted the area with anti-rust paint and after it dried screwed the buffer on with some copper grease on the thread. It does appear to be a secure fix but I dont think I will give it a hammer test

Now to get the two new number plates drilled. ( not looking foward to this !!!!!)
I think I need to make a template to ensure holes line up correctly.

 

[Brian4]

I think I need to make a template to ensure holes line up correctly

It's just like drilling holes for handles in kitchen cupboard doors.

I found the front plate needs all 4 screws as it is curved

 

[g8jka]

You can heat the plate slightly with a heatgun / hairdryer and give it a slight bend to follow the curve of the front plate holder, it will stay solid once cooled. Then you could use some double sided tape / velcro to attach them so you don't need to drill holes in them nice new plates! Even if you still want to drill, I would heat and curve the plate first so you don't need as many screws.

 

[Mazza]

I did warm the front plate a bit, but have used 4 screws in each, of which two pairs (white and yellow caps) are anti theft screws.
I’ve never had a lot of luck with just velcro or double sided tape.
Took ages until I was happy that the marks where to drill were right. Used the old plates to practice on and managed to avoid drilling holes in the worktop

Result is that both bumpers ready to back on the car now,

Just have to close the screw caps and remove the protective film, but will leave that until bumpers refitted.

Another step nearer completion...........