Trying to set myself a limit before visiting welder...

AndrewJames · 15th October 2020, 10:13

So after having new rear tyres put on, about two weeks later I am looking at the sills and notice damage to the nearside rear sill. After poking and pulling some rusty chunks and flakes away I'm left with a hole inbetween the jacking pad and drain hole. None of this was visible before tyre shop so I suspect they have jacked in the wrong place and crushed through weak and rusty metal! I removed the jacking pad and a bunch of rust fell out too haha.

I'm visiting a welder tomorrow to get an estimate for repair and I've asked him to also look for more rot. The same sill may be suspect at the front but nowhere near as bad. Other side of the car seems fine to me...The car only cost me 800 quid and I'm trying to set myself a limit on cost before I walk in. Any suggestions?

I've never been to a welder in my life but he comes highly recommended.

trikey · 15th October 2020, 10:26

Tom Hobbs did both my rear sills for £250 this included making new outer skins and treating the inside of the sills with rust protection.

AndrewJames · 15th October 2020, 10:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikey

Tom Hobbs did both my rear sills for £250 this included making new outer skins and treating the inside of the sills with rust protection.

I've read the name quite a lot on the forum. Unfortunately he's very far away! Sounds like a good bloke though for those closer.

Annfield-East · 15th October 2020, 10:35

I had the same issue a couple of days ago. Took my 75 to a dismantler who specialises in MGR spares to have a replacement wing fitted, and while there asked the guy to check underneath as the car's MOT is due in a few weeks. One of the sill points you mention had been done for its MOT two years ago, and the NSF will need doing for its next test.

The donor vehicle from which the wing for my car had been taken was being scrapped because all four of the points you mention had gone.

The guy quoted me the cost of welding as £100 for each corner. Its not the end of the world, its a relatively straight forward job. He had the donor car on the hydraulic lift so I was able to see exactly what he meant.

AndrewJames · 15th October 2020, 10:39

I'd be happy to splash 200-300 to get it fixed. I suppose the danger is that there will always be more rust than I can see from lying on the ground. Luckily the guy I'm taking it to has offered to get the car up on a ramp too and walk me around it.

tantallon · 15th October 2020, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewJames

I'd be happy to splash 200-300 to get it fixed. I suppose the danger is that there will always be more rust than I can see from lying on the ground. Luckily the guy I'm taking it to has offered to get the car up on a ramp too and walk me around it.

Be aware there are fixes that will pass an MOT .A repair like Trikey has had done is what you need .Ask them what they are going to do before giving the go ahead

Annfield-East · 15th October 2020, 10:49

Yes, its worth it. With the car on a lift you will be able to see clearly the extent of the decay.

My job is costing £200 as the guy is also tidying surface rust on both outer sills and replacing some underframe rubbers.

AndrewJames · 15th October 2020, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by tantallon

Be aware there are fixes that will pass an MOT .A repair like Trikey has had done is what you need .Ask them what they are going to do before giving the go ahead

Thanks, yeah the guy has been recommended as someone who will do a proper job and not just a patch job for an Mot. Recommended by a friend who is a welder but too busy himself to take the job on.

Sonic ZS · 15th October 2020, 11:24

The cost of repair will depend very much on what is found inside once the outer sill section is cut off. You will likely find that both the internal jacking bracket and inner sill will also be badly corroded.

If you want these sections cutting out and new pieces fabricated (for a proper, long term repair), be prepared for a much bigger bill as it takes much longer.

Unfortunately, I think many 75/ZT's just get a patch slapped over the outer hole in the sill skin, to gain a cheap & quick MOT pass. Unfortunately, this just stores up the internal rust for a few more years, until the whole lot collapses, and the car is then deemed too far gone to bother saving

Get a firm description of what will be done, and ask if you can see the work as it progresses. If the repairer isn't keen on this, I'd go elsewhere...

Good luck

vitesse · 15th October 2020, 11:32

If the internal jacking structure needs work it might be worth contacting Mr. Hobbs as I remember him mentioning that he was think of doing these too. Might anyway be worth contacting him as he has the sill repair sections all made, on the shelf, and very well made too at a most reasonable cost.

Regards

15th October 2020, 10:13	#1
AndrewJames Loves to post Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 291 Thanks: 133 Thanked 102 Times in 61 Posts	Trying to set myself a limit before visiting welder... So after having new rear tyres put on, about two weeks later I am looking at the sills and notice damage to the nearside rear sill. After poking and pulling some rusty chunks and flakes away I'm left with a hole inbetween the jacking pad and drain hole. None of this was visible before tyre shop so I suspect they have jacked in the wrong place and crushed through weak and rusty metal! I removed the jacking pad and a bunch of rust fell out too haha. I'm visiting a welder tomorrow to get an estimate for repair and I've asked him to also look for more rot. The same sill may be suspect at the front but nowhere near as bad. Other side of the car seems fine to me...The car only cost me 800 quid and I'm trying to set myself a limit on cost before I walk in. Any suggestions? I've never been to a welder in my life but he comes highly recommended.

15th October 2020, 10:26	#2
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,763 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	Tom Hobbs did both my rear sills for £250 this included making new outer skins and treating the inside of the sills with rust protection. __________________ Lest we forget..

15th October 2020, 10:35	#4
Annfield-East Loves to post None Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Nowhere Posts: 274 Thanks: 142 Thanked 111 Times in 72 Posts	I had the same issue a couple of days ago. Took my 75 to a dismantler who specialises in MGR spares to have a replacement wing fitted, and while there asked the guy to check underneath as the car's MOT is due in a few weeks. One of the sill points you mention had been done for its MOT two years ago, and the NSF will need doing for its next test. The donor vehicle from which the wing for my car had been taken was being scrapped because all four of the points you mention had gone. The guy quoted me the cost of welding as £100 for each corner. Its not the end of the world, its a relatively straight forward job. He had the donor car on the hydraulic lift so I was able to see exactly what he meant. Last edited by Annfield-East; 15th October 2020 at 10:37.. Reason: Minor correction.

15th October 2020, 10:49	#7
Annfield-East Loves to post None Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Nowhere Posts: 274 Thanks: 142 Thanked 111 Times in 72 Posts	Yes, its worth it. With the car on a lift you will be able to see clearly the extent of the decay. My job is costing £200 as the guy is also tidying surface rust on both outer sills and replacing some underframe rubbers. Last edited by Annfield-East; 15th October 2020 at 10:52..

15th October 2020, 11:24	#9
Sonic ZS Posted a thing or two 75 Conn CDT Tourer, 75 Conn SE V6, 75 Conn V6, 75 Conn CDTi Tourer, ZS 180 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Devon Posts: 1,986 Thanks: 1,287 Thanked 963 Times in 534 Posts	The cost of repair will depend very much on what is found inside once the outer sill section is cut off. You will likely find that both the internal jacking bracket and inner sill will also be badly corroded. If you want these sections cutting out and new pieces fabricated (for a proper, long term repair), be prepared for a much bigger bill as it takes much longer. Unfortunately, I think many 75/ZT's just get a patch slapped over the outer hole in the sill skin, to gain a cheap & quick MOT pass. Unfortunately, this just stores up the internal rust for a few more years, until the whole lot collapses, and the car is then deemed too far gone to bother saving Get a firm description of what will be done, and ask if you can see the work as it progresses. If the repairer isn't keen on this, I'd go elsewhere... Good luck __________________

15th October 2020, 10:39	#5
AndrewJames Loves to post Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 291 Thanks: 133 Thanked 102 Times in 61 Posts	I'd be happy to splash 200-300 to get it fixed. I suppose the danger is that there will always be more rust than I can see from lying on the ground. Luckily the guy I'm taking it to has offered to get the car up on a ramp too and walk me around it.

15th October 2020, 11:32	#10
vitesse I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Gävle Posts: 2,528 Thanks: 395 Thanked 823 Times in 652 Posts	If the internal jacking structure needs work it might be worth contacting Mr. Hobbs as I remember him mentioning that he was think of doing these too. Might anyway be worth contacting him as he has the sill repair sections all made, on the shelf, and very well made too at a most reasonable cost. Regards