Wheel arch replacement prep

[Lewy]

I've got a very very good quote to finally get the rear wheel arches replaced on the Bongo from a well regarded local body shop. Before I go for it, I was wondering what sort of preparation needs to be done for the welding etc.

Does all the internal trim have to come off from the inside, and if so is it much of a job, any pitfalls to be aware of? I will take out the rear seat and I have a side kitchen unit which I'll obviously take out too. Does the carpet have to come up? I want to present to them as easy a job as possible really so they can get the tricky bit done

Also what should I ask for them to waxoil/underseal once the job has been done. If its a matter of waxoiling from inside, can that be done straight away at the painting stage?

And...it seems the Hadrian Transit panels are currently out of stock...just making sure that the Imperial replacement panels have been used succesfully - they have gone up quite a bit in price £120 or so. Have people had any problems with fitting these? I'm trying to source some clean arches from a breaker, but they are quite rare it would seem.

Thanks - Lewy

[briwy]

Got mine from Imperial, no problems at all. Easy fit according to the body man.

I/he didn't need to take the trim panels off to do the arches but I did later to get the Waxoyl in easily.

[Lewy]

Thanks for that - will defo be waxoiling this time from the inside.

Will order the imperial ones tomorrow I reckon.

[briwy]

Lewy, forgot to mention. When I got mine ( I picked them up while working nearby) the guy at Imperial said one of the panels had a small dent in it, got £20 off the list price.
Worth asking if they have any seconds as a lot of the panel is cut away anyway and it has to filled where it meets the original Bongo panel so a few small dents won't matter and may save a few bob.

[Doone]

Lewy you have a pm.
There're a few post HERE that discuss 'waxoyling' the wheel arches.

[tallbongo]

briwy,

Did you get the parts A4480L & A4480R, i.e. the whole rear panels? The clinic http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/fox_archives.htm recommends two different parts. The aforementioned whole rear panel which includes the arches, or just the arches from Hadrian 3053508. There's a £20 difference although Hadrian are out of stock of one side, and have no idea when it will come back in.

[briwy]

These were a whole panel, wheel arches plus about 18 inches above it. The part nos I think were the ones in the clinic.

I was away when he did the job so didn't see exactly how much of the panel he used but I was up there a couple of weeks ago and he had another one in. Looked like he had used the arches plus about 4 inches around around them. I guess it depends on how far up the rust has gone.


Finished job

[tallbongo]

Thanks. And very nice looking too. I'm sure you'll miss the orange rustiness though once the novelty wears thin

[tallbongo]

My wheel arches will soon be done by "a friend of a friend".

He repairs car bodywork as his trade, and has recommended, but not insisted that I leave the interior panels off while the work is done. The trim comes off easily enough - just have to go gently on it.

If anyone is looking for suppliers of the body panels, the cheapest I could find online and in stock was £38+vat each here http://www.auto-paints4u.co.uk/body-pan ... 6.html?p=3.

Its worth checking local bodyshops too - I'm getting them for £35+vat locally so I'll end up saving £15 on the auto paints price when you account for postage.

[wilnx005]

Hi Bongolier, the arches look really good - I noticed your from the peak district area, I would be very interested in knowing where you have the arches done as sadly mine are in need of some tlc....

Cheers