Fitting a new front panel.

Ok, It has now got to the stage where i need to fit a new front panel. Im not the type of person who likes to pay people to do things that i can have a crack at myself so here i am asking if anyone has got any advice on replacing the front panel. Thought it might be a good idea to do a bit of a how tooo feature.

Any advice would be greatly appreaciated.

Chris  

Quite straightforward really:

Strip front end down,
Remove wings
Cut out old panel - drill spot welds and cut/chisel welds on side members
Offer up panel and check positioning
Weld as original
Prep, seam seal and paint.

'bout a 15 minute job  

Great, 15 Mins. I will bring it up to you then Rich. I will gladly pay you over the minimum wage so should cost around ?2.50 Bargain. lol          

I'd recommend putting the (original) wings back on before you weld the front panel on. That way you can make sure it's aligned properly and all looks 'correct'. A few tacks to hold it in place and the wings can come off again. Better than welding it on fully and finding out it's 2cm too low / off to one side, etc, when wings go back on. I say original wings as many replacements are a bit 'hit and miss' fit wise.
Good luck !
Mark

Good point Mark.

Turbo - but I charge ?3000 per hour so that makes the job ?750  :wink:

For your expertise……. still a bargain.
Think i will have ago myself. Looking for a genuine drivers side wing if you have got one crazy would help if it is in lahsa green.

Buy this book covers the lot at Amason [click here] You will not regret it …….

This is the MK1 Golf bible for restoration  

Thanks Chudd, Haynes is just up the road from me so i will see if i can get a copy

Soz - No lahsa wings - but do have two pairs of Used Genuine in good nicK

Interesting Chudd - I could swear the Haynes resto manual I have that looks identical to that was written by Lindsay Porter… :?

Is there a new version out now?

Its a great book, and although it shows a Mk2 on the main cover shot, the one I have is almost exclusively devoted to the resto of a Mk1 tintop and a Mk1 cabrio.

Chris

Pictures of me doing the front panel on my website (Link in my SIgnature)…

Took me about 3 hours to get the old one off properly though and I snapped about 5 drill bits!  I was being careful not to do any damage to the rest of the car mind you!

I put mine in place and replaced the wings as said above to see what the positioning was like - this is vital as if you push the new panel back into place until it stops, it will be too far back!

The only problem I had wa with the lower front corner, but I don't know if this was due to the way my mate and I fitted the panel, or if it was because I used pattern wings.
Managed to get it to match well enough in the end though and when it was painted, you couldn't tell at all.

get a proper spot weld drill bit - they work well imo. only about 3 quid

Sorry to jump on this post but,
Al-Mk1 where'd you get those small bumpers from!!

I've posted this on here somewhere before but cant find it  

But i've also posted it here too…

http://www.demonvw.co.…orum/viewtopic.php?t=4417

I agree with trial fitting the wings on before fully fixing, and also dont be too surpirsed to find some demons hinding in the chassis legs like I did when the front panel was removed.