A Column repair panels

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Hi guys, the teardown continues - Its a little hard to see in the picture http://www.wallothnesch.com/d/pg/g58.jpg but will this panel replace the rusted part of my car http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ll_LQXf2jPs/T ... G_0485.JPG ?

It looks to me that it doesnt include the area close to the hinges which is the most badly rusted part on my car, although on the fantastic 2002tii.org the repair panel looks different http://www.2002tii-restoration.org/images/left_column_05.jpg

Has anyone had personal experience of fitting these, or am i better off buying the complete A column panel with hinges?

[Tommy]

This thread should be all you need for answer - and more.

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,50/page,viewtopic/p,896966/#896966

Tommy

[stymee]

Thanks for the plug, Tommy

I have used both the original panel from W&N, the one pictured in the 2002tii. It went almost all the way to where the hinges attach to the car.

The new panel stops a lot shorter. I believe the reason may be to prevent the need to remove the fender bracket when making this repair. Unfortunately, it is usually the area under the fender bracket that is rusted!

I asked W&N if the old style panel was still available (I wanted to use the same one as the other side, you know, symmetry and all). They replied that their tooling was worn out, so new tooling and a new panel were created. If my area under the fender bracket had been more rusty, I would have welded in a strip of metal to bridge the gap where the new panel doesn't cover.

All that being said, the new panel has a much better fit to the original rocker area and has the area punched for the sunroof drain. The quality of the panel is great, just be sure to strip off the paint it comes with, it is only there for corrosion protection during storage (my assumption, as it comes off easy).

Also, I believe Blunt can source you the full A column that includes the hinges, but it is way more money and complicates the repair because you have to keep the car straight and the hinges lined up properly.

[1453aalapapa]

#3

http://www.bmwmobiletradition-online.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=2291&mospid=47132&btnr=41_1143&hg=41&fg=20&hl=5

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Thanks for that Guys, that is an awesome project thread and answers all my questions - crazy thing is i'm subscribed to it but just didn't go far enough back!

The area that is badly rusted on mine is under the fender support panel (which has completely disintegrated!), the hinge area is fine and doors fit nicely, so i will probably fabricate a patch for the rust affected area only.

[scanner]

A bit late to ask but is it safe to cut out the back section of the inner fender panel http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jnaendcor9c/TvvjbSQwnxI/AAAAAAAAAdM/epuZnR5V6aY/s640/IMG_0500.JPG (Latest entry in my Blog)? Or will it result in catastropic warping and bending of the body -please say no!!

Also is the Walloth and Nesch repair panel the same thickness as the origional panel?

[stymee]

If that were such a major structural component, there would be a lot of '02s out there spontaneously folding in half!