gloide69 Posted September 27, 2021 Report Share Posted September 27, 2021 Hi I'm struggling with a decision on whether to start to try to repair my front wing, it needs a lot of work or buy a new replacement and try to get that to fit. Are the current replacements any better a fit? Thanks Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted September 27, 2021 Report Share Posted September 27, 2021 That is repairable but a ot of work. Don;t buy the bottom section repair panel as it is useless - make your own. The rear edge down the 'A' post will allow you to make a good fit with the door. The front end around the side ;oght is more demanding but do' able Roger. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted September 27, 2021 Report Share Posted September 27, 2021 Doable but will require some skill and some lead too. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Salisbury Posted September 27, 2021 Report Share Posted September 27, 2021 Hi, the new Bastuck panels are expensive, they feel slightly thinner but I suspect they are from a harder grade of steel, they fit well with little or no work and once fully fitted, painted and undersealed you would be hard to find any difference to an original panel, I've recently fitted 2 front wings to my 4A. Cheers Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted September 27, 2021 Report Share Posted September 27, 2021 8 minutes ago, Rob Salisbury said: Hi, the new Bastuck panels are expensive, they feel slightly thinner but I suspect they are from a harder grade of steel, Cheers Rob Hi Rob, I suspect that they are made from the standard type of mild steel that is easy to press out. If they went to the trouble of using a harder grade then they may as well of used the thicker steel that isn't especially hard. I think if I was going for a new wing I would go for a light Alloy version so as to minimise corrosion. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james christie Posted September 27, 2021 Report Share Posted September 27, 2021 ‘I think if I was going for a new wing I would go for a light Alloy version so as to minimise corrosion.’ Roger’ are you sure that would be a good plan? I have a feeling (I’m dragging up A level physics from 55 years ago) that you might be setting up an electrolysis cell which would promote oxidation/rust. james Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted September 27, 2021 Report Share Posted September 27, 2021 (edited) Hi James, you are correct. The steel will steal electrons from the Ali and cause the Ali to become weak. Some Ali Alloys are better than others but I'm sure the TR repro Ali wings will be the cheap alloy. There are jointing compounds that do a good job in isolating/insulating steel and Ali from each other. Even a good paint finish will help. Roger Edited September 27, 2021 by RogerH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Salisbury Posted September 27, 2021 Report Share Posted September 27, 2021 Hi Roger, I really do wonder about us lot being concerned with corrosion, I mean my original sills and wings had gone after around 10 years but that was with hard everyday use living outside all year round and with the minimal underbody protection that the factory provided back then, even so much of our cars have lasted 50 or 60 years (about a thousand times longer than Triumph intended!!), we are now rebuilding them with superbe metal protection, the cars are cosseted, live in garages only come out when the sun shines!! and, if there is any petrol left for them, will outlive our grandchildren!! ...... have you been near one of the alloy wings? ... you only have to blow on them gently and the metal moves!!! .... I think they are for the race boys who want everything as light as possible. Cheers, Rob PS. the Bastuck wings once in position and fully bolted up are just as solid as a StanPart wing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted September 27, 2021 Report Share Posted September 27, 2021 Hi Rob, you are spot on. I lived my life on light alloy aircraft and know what it can and can't do. Some of the alloys can be easily worked and then tempered into rock solid structures. It would be nice to have wings worked in 2024-T0 and then heat treated to 2024-T3 or 4 - I think they make brick 'outhouses' from it. But as you say a decent steel repro wing should out live most of us. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malbaby Posted September 27, 2021 Report Share Posted September 27, 2021 Nothing is impossible, miracles take a little longer.. Seriously, the time/effort required to fix that would out weigh fitting a new or repairing a secondhand wing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malbaby Posted September 28, 2021 Report Share Posted September 28, 2021 There is a secondhand one for sale at Sidmouth....listed on the "TR4 group" facebook page. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gloide69 Posted September 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2021 Thanks for the encouragement etc. It sounds like it is doable, so I've decided to give it a go, nothing to lose really apart from a bit of time. (The hardest bit for me is getting started) I thought about the 2nd hand route, but from the photos I've seen, they all still need work and are typically a long distance away from me, to have a good look before buying. I guess this may be a Plan B though. Cheers Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malbaby Posted September 28, 2021 Report Share Posted September 28, 2021 If you can find a secondhand one, even if you need to replace the lower sill section [easy fix] would still be a better option. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gloide69 Posted November 22, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2021 After some initial setbacks, I'm starting to make some progress on my wing and am now about to tackle the front area. Before I start to make it fit to the grill etc, I noticed my bonnet gap widens towards the front and is a bit larger than I wound like (same on both sides). Is it possible to adjust this by bending the top of the inner wings? Cheers Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boxofbits Posted November 22, 2021 Report Share Posted November 22, 2021 23 minutes ago, gloide69 said: After some initial setbacks, I'm starting to make some progress on my wing and am now about to tackle the front area. Before I start to make it fit to the grill etc, I noticed my bonnet gap widens towards the front and is a bit larger than I wound like (same on both sides). Is it possible to adjust this by bending the top of the inner wings? Cheers Paul That’s a fair gap, and I don’t think bending the inner wing in is the answer or will make much difference. Conversely mine were too narrow, and at the bodyshop we could not seem to influence it much by bending the inner wing lip. Has the inner wing been changed or repaired? Ideally it should all be gapped before welding. Kevin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted November 22, 2021 Report Share Posted November 22, 2021 Hi Paul, you will need to bring the front of the inner wings in. I think it is caused by the front grill panel flattening (it should be curved). If you remake the curve the inner wings will then want to come in. I have the same effect and one day, just one day I will look at it. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted November 22, 2021 Report Share Posted November 22, 2021 (edited) 36 minutes ago, gloide69 said: After some initial setbacks, I'm starting to make some progress on my wing and am now about to tackle the front area. Before I start to make it fit to the grill etc, I noticed my bonnet gap widens towards the front and is a bit larger than I wound like (same on both sides). Is it possible to adjust this by bending the top of the inner wings? Cheers Paul Yes I have had to do this a number of times, the wing will follow the line of it once its bolted up but can sometimes try and pull it back so its a bit of trial and error, often need to bend it too far and then it will come back into the right line once its all tightened up. Dont forget to keep trial fitting the grill also to ensure the front end follows the edge of it and that its even on both sides, sometimes it needs a bit of lead.The filler panel should be welded to the inside of the wing though do be careful to match it to the edge of the front panel as well as the wing as the repros are a bit poor fitting. Stuart. Edited November 22, 2021 by stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted November 22, 2021 Report Share Posted November 22, 2021 FWIW I have also had to do the opposite as the gap wasnt wide enough due to a DPO fitting stuff wrongly Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gloide69 Posted December 15, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2021 It's looking better, hopefully another session with the lead will have it finished. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted December 15, 2021 Report Share Posted December 15, 2021 (edited) 6 minutes ago, gloide69 said: It's looking better, hopefully another session with the lead will have it finished. Well done, glad to see someone else continuing the tradition of lead filling. You might want to put a bit down that bonnet edge too unless the inner wing will come in a bit more. Stuart. Edited December 15, 2021 by stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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