Ford Transit Forum

by **ztorm** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 5:16 pm

I'm thinking it might be necessary to remove the front wings of my MK1 (also see my topic in Transit progress report "(T) rust in my Transit") but I haven't got a clue where to begin. :roll:

As a lot of you already removed your front wings, what's he best way to do so?
Any tip or hint will help!
Thnx

by **Luke** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:16 pm

are you wanting to keep the wings and refit them :?:

if so you'll need to drill out the spotwelds with a spotweld drill

if they are scrap then cold chisel and angle grinder will do the job :lol:

by **Luke** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:18 pm

this is the type i prefer the centre pin is on a spring and goes back into the drill :idea:

but you can get these type aswell

by **ztorm** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 5:55 pm

Thanks for the reply, but I'm more confused about where the weldsports are on these wings.
Where do you start, or is it so deadeasy that I worry for no reason :oops:

by **Muttley** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:25 pm

If you look at the drip rail at the top of the wing where the bonnet shuts, the flat surface between the rail and the wing is where some of the welds are. It depends on the condition of the wing as to whether you can see them or not, they are little circular dips about a couple of mm across. I find if you use t cut on the paint they tend to show up more :wink:

You will have to remove the doors to see some more where the back of the wing fixes to the door pillar. There will also be some where the front panel and wings meet, you may also find a strut from the wing to the front panel at the bottom. You have to use the spot drill dead centre on the weld and just drill through the wing and not into the panel below, keep going till you cant find any more welds or the wing falls off!!

by **ztorm** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:36 pm

Thanks Muttley! That was the information I was looking for. Sounds straightforward enough. I'll give it a go then.
Come so far already, I suppose it makes sense to also thoroughly check the condition of the inner wings and so on.
I'm prepared to get scared again!! :lol:

by **Luke** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:38 pm

it's not an easy job - sometimes the spotwelds are difficult to find

have a read of fredericks progress report :arrow:

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=6907 theres pics of almost a full van took to bits on the spotwelds :lol:

by **ztorm** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:47 pm

How could I have missed that report? Just took a peek, and man, thought my van was in a poor condition. Lots to read now..and learn. Thanks for this tip Luke !

by **ztorm** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:25 pm

Well Luke and Muttley, thanks for your advice. The wing is off

Hurray

Besides the spotwelds, is was welded at the bottom too, hidden by rust.. But I managed to get it off.
What I found is in my topic in progress report "(T) Rust in my Transit Mk1 "
Little pic of the welds drilled through...

And rust at the bottom part

by **Muttley** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:34 pm

Well done matey, now the fun starts, lots of rust behind them I suspect :wink:

by **ztorm** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:46 pm

Yep, you're so right.

But, all considered, it wasn't too bad

You can see the rest of my rusty horror tales in my progress report.. :lol:

Now that I've seen almost as much rust as you have, maybe I can call myself a member of the Muttley Crew?
Or we can start a rusty band, Mötley Crüe :lol: