Front inner arches

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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nth
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Front inner arches

Post by nth » Fri Aug 28, 2020 7:04 pm

There's plenty on here about the rear arches but has anyone had to sort the front inner arches? mines are a bit 'soft', just wondering if repair panels are available or is it a case of just fabricating something?
Also is there meant to be a plastic liner on the rearmost part of the inner arch (above where the mudflap would sit)?, Neither side on mines has ever had one & this is the bit that's needing sorted, just wondering if a missing liner has caused this?
95 2.5d 4WD AFT
willow2u
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Re: Front inner arches

Post by willow2u » Fri Aug 28, 2020 7:12 pm

Be easier to source another wing
nth
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Re: Front inner arches

Post by nth » Fri Aug 28, 2020 8:20 pm

Sorry, its the front inner Arches that are the problem.
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nth
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Re: Front inner arches

Post by nth » Tue Sep 01, 2020 3:26 pm

No one had to do front inner arches??
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Bongolia
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Re: Front inner arches

Post by Bongolia » Wed Sep 02, 2020 3:32 pm

Think OP may mean the flitch panels or inner wing panels.
OP can you upload an image of the bit your talking about?
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Re: Front inner arches

Post by cwilliams255 » Wed Sep 02, 2020 5:41 pm

Mine had holes here
8FD39E39-E0AA-4534-9E12-E8DA61F6F4D6.jpeg
8FD39E39-E0AA-4534-9E12-E8DA61F6F4D6.jpeg (27.33 KiB) Viewed 4999 times
You could put your finger through to the passenger footwell carpet, sold it but had a plate welded over it as far as I know
Bongolia
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Re: Front inner arches

Post by Bongolia » Sat Sep 05, 2020 10:36 am

Nth. Do a search on 4WD refurb.
In there somewhere are images of inner wing repairs. I have few more showing various states of play if it would help.
nth
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Re: Front inner arches

Post by nth » Sat Sep 05, 2020 12:03 pm

cwilliams255 wrote: Wed Sep 02, 2020 5:41 pm Mine had holes here

8FD39E39-E0AA-4534-9E12-E8DA61F6F4D6.jpeg

You could put your finger through to the passenger footwell carpet, sold it but had a plate welded over it as far as I know
Yes, thats the bits, my fingers will go through them if i push on them.
In 20+ years in the motor repair trade i have heard them called flitch panel’s or even heard the term flitch panels before. I would call that part the inner arch or inner wing panel.
Every day is a school day I suppose.

So can it be bought as a pre made panel or is it making something up out of sheet metal?
I’ll have a read through that blog later.
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Bongolia
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Re: Front inner arches

Post by Bongolia » Sat Sep 05, 2020 12:23 pm

As far as I am aware there are no pre-formed panels available but they are easy to shape up. Needs good strip out in that area to make life easier.
The section at the bottom of the A pillar around mudflap area is a box if you have problems there then opening up that section may reveal more corrosion in there. Esay to check if you have a cheap USB endescope Ebay.
Good luck.
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helen&tony
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Re: Front inner arches

Post by helen&tony » Sun Sep 06, 2020 4:02 am

Hi
Yes, Bongolia, spot on...I have always known them as flitch plates, and i've not long been repairing my own cars....only 54 years, I'm afraid...LOL...after getting a quote from a garage , who thought the "silly woman" incapable, and quoted ridiculous money.....so I learned
Here's a quote:

Automotive Dictionary: Flitch Plate

Throughout this site we use many technical terms, and given the breadth of readership our site enjoys, sometimes we are remiss and incorrectly assume everyone knows what we are referring to. For those that do not, here are some explanations of the technical terms use.
Fade To White
Flitch Plate
Probably derived from the old definition: the side of a pig, this is the side panel of the engine bay, a structural member which also forms the inner surface of the wheel arch.
Cheers
Helen
In the beginning there was nothing , then God said "Let there be Light".....There was still nothing , but ,by crikey, you could see it better.
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Re: Front inner arches

Post by Bongolia » Sun Sep 06, 2020 5:42 pm

Hi Helen
Wow didnt know where the term came from, interesting. What about longerons,cant rails, never really thought about where those terms came from.
P.S. nave plates?
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helen&tony
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Re: Front inner arches

Post by helen&tony » Mon Sep 07, 2020 3:53 am

Hi Bongolia
Yes....I remember those names...not all,but I have to look them up sometimes...I copied that one (flitch plates) from an "Automotive Dictionary", but there are a fair few car dictionaries and I can't find that one again. Sadly, nobody uses the correct terminology these days, as it's easier to de-educate the populace, as an educated population is harder to rule....it's one of the pretexts of leadership dating back centuries. Thus, when I see some of the reasons for failure quoted on MOT tests according to folk asking on forums various, it makes me wonder as to the skill of the tester.....namely that they don't know themselves , and how many have you seen that need guesswork as to the meaning? If they can't name a part, what are they doing there?
Cheers
Helen
nth
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Re: Front inner arches

Post by nth » Mon Sep 07, 2020 2:02 pm

Bongolia wrote: Sun Sep 06, 2020 5:42 pm Hi Helen
Wow didnt know where the term came from, interesting. What about longerons,cant rails, never really thought about where those terms came from.
P.S. nave plates?
Never heard of any of these terms either #-o
I've asked quite a few colleagues & ex colleagues over the last few days if they knew what a flitch plate is, no one under the age of 58 knew :lol:
I just even called my 68 year old father in law who worked in garages most of his days since he was 16 & has never heard of Flitch plates, Longerons or cant rails #-o
helen&tony wrote: Mon Sep 07, 2020 3:53 am Thus, when I see some of the reasons for failure quoted on MOT tests according to folk asking on forums various, it makes me wonder as to the skill of the tester.....namely that they don't know themselves , and how many have you seen that need guesswork as to the meaning? If they can't name a part, what are they doing there?
To be fair about the MOT thing, since the MOT went computerised, the failure reasons are set drop down menus with pre written reasons for failure and they can only name the component whatever the system allows them to. Remember there can be multiple different names for the same things that are all correct, just depends how the have been taught/who taught you.
In fact here is a copy & paste direct from my advisory notice:
Nearside Front Inner Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))
Offside Front Inner Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))
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Bongolia
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Re: Front inner arches

Post by Bongolia » Tue Sep 08, 2020 1:15 am

Sad but true. Since the MOT became computerised , although not the reason, the testing has been dumbed down. The reason we were told is the need to comply more closely with EU test standards"compliance" they called it, strangely EU countries all have their own standards and most are tougher than ours.
The problems really started when they amended the testers manual prior to that the manual was unambigous in the most part now it is not. Terminology does change over time in all things I suppose, programs are now apps for instance but now it is difficult to actually know what the hell it failed on!
Nths example sums it up really.
Spent all my life in the motor trade from commercials through to passenger cars and whilst I enjoyed most of it the last few years I didnt. Only to happy to have retired.
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helen&tony
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Re: Front inner arches

Post by helen&tony » Tue Sep 08, 2020 3:57 am

Hi
nth
well...a lot of terms in most trades , jobs and professions have been dropped to make it easier, as has a considerable amount of skill and knowledge, so that each sector of our workforce has minimum ability according to reduced requirements, and the difference in knowledge is made up by checking the computer , which uses simplicity programmed in by those who know nothing of any particular trade....I'm afraid craft has gone out the window in favour of machine.
Bongolia
The sad thing is that the EU agrees standards, and within any standards, the individual countries have their own variations to fall within those set standards whilst the UK muddles along and blames the EU for it's apparent inability to comply. Sadly, when I left, the UK was stricter than where I live, and remained so for a fair few years, then, suddenly, along came a spurt , and the difference is astounding...For one instance, every applicant for a driving licence has to see several medical specialists, including a psychological examination before being granted a licence....
Cheers
Helen
In the beginning there was nothing , then God said "Let there be Light".....There was still nothing , but ,by crikey, you could see it better.
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