engine and drivetrain Body Braceing For Rocker And Floor Panel Replacement

[Pamola]

Folks,

 

I have reached the point of the restoration where it is time to brace the body before I replace the rockers and other various load structural pieces of metal. The car is currently stripped and sitting on a lift. I have seen several methods for bracing the body before cancer surgery.

 

Screwjacks => http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/143721-rocker-panel-replacement-in-2-weekends/

 

Jack stands => http://classicmotorsports.net/project-cars/1972-bmw-2002tii/rocker-panel-replacement/

 

And various homemade jigs….  It least in my head if I go the homemade jig route I should connect it to the shock mounts to keep the body point loads and bending similar to when the car is sitting on its own tires. Oh and of course put screw jacks at each corner so I can adjust until my hearts content.

 

So for the people here that have gotten into the load bearing sheet metal work. This is a shoot the engineer moment. What was enough to make sure the cars shape is not changed during the cancer repair?   

[TobyB]

Oddly, the outer rockers aren't particularly load- bearing when the car is just sitting.  It's the inners that take vertical loading.

 

If you REALLY want to do it right, brace it up BEFORE you take the motor out, and do it with the car on its wheels.

 

Honestly, though, if you don't take it too far apart, there's not enough load on just a shell to let it creep dimensionally.

But don't overlook the power of a weld to shrink a 32nd of an inch out of here and there, if done wrong.

 

t

[Kpeters]

This contraption is what I use to replace lower panels and floors.

 

Needs a forklift to get it up there though :

 

/

Edited December 9, 2013 by Kpeters

[DaveBMX]

i used angle iron across the doors at a downward angle and then a piece across diagonally. Car was supported on 4 matching axle stands set to equal height left to right

 

 

http://s41.photobucket.com/user/superflygizmo/media/car%20restoration/SAM_2223_zps068b8dfe.jpg.html

 

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/129100-my-1976-1502/page-2

 

rancid welds i know but they were my first ever haha.

 

car appears to be straight after outer rocker replacement, rear wing replacements and front floor and rear subframe mount areas

 

heres the full thread if you interested

 

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/129100-my-1976-1502/page-2

 

 

regards

 

 

Dave

Edited December 10, 2013 by DaveBMX

[glemon]

Not an expert on 2002s, but have done rust repair on old British Roadsters, as you might be able to imagine, they are not real rigid to start with, and don't have a roof to aid in the structural integrity of the whole.  I will illustrate what I am going to say with a story, about 15 years ago I looked at a Jag E type Coupe, it was apart but complete, and cheap for a Jag even then, the guy wanted $3500 for it.  It was complete, but he had cut out all the rust in one day (who know maybe a week) and not repaired anything as he went along, or braced anything up.  I am willing to tackle ALMOST anything, but know my limitations, and figured I my chances of ever getting that car back together again without it being all wonky were somewhere between slim and none.

 

If you take off on structural member at a time I would think the thing would stay pretty straight and true, but no direct experience.  So my advice does not go so much in how to brace, but how to avoid the need for bracing or at least minimize it

[markmac]

Matt McGinn is doing a knarly restoration on what appears to be a baur o2, the likes of which I don't know that I have ever seen before - that is so little of what was once a car.  The car must have some great sentimental value to the owner to go (or should I say pay for) to the extent they are to save this thing.  I haven't ever met Matt, hope to some time.  The guy is a real pro, the likes of which are few and far between these days.  I am guessing you could learn a lot by studying the images on his site.  But then, if you have to ask, you might be over your head.  The work he is doing on this car would be way (WAY) over most.  Very impressive.  Good luck with your project.

 

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29110923@N05/

 

www.alpinabmw2002.com

[Pamola]

markmac,

 

Great refrence. Thanks for the link.