A Panel Removal

[Gordon]

My nearside A panel has shifted, and is catching the front edge of the door (common problem I understand). All well and good, I'll remove it, tidy up the fasteners, and refit it I thought!

OK, I can "See" the two bolts into the sill, and the nut which is obscured by the top door hinge, but I cant get any tools anywhere near any of them!

Having owned an Esprit for a few years, I am used to things being difficult to get at, but I'm stumped.

I've not removed the wheelarch liner, as far as I can see, it wont help...

Any "useful" suggestions as to how to undo the three fasteners?

[delta]

The top bolt is easy when the 2 bottom ones are loose. But to do those you need your normal 1/4 inch top set + a flexible extension rod 20 cm long. Use a 8mm top and a piece of string around the tip, to steer and bend the end of the rod over and around the hinges.

If you have the right tools, it's a 2min. job to take the panel off or put it back on.

Have fun.
Delta.

By the way,: Welcome to the LEC.

[Gordon]

Yeah! - got it off...

Both the bottom bolts into the rawlnuts had siezed, but after turning them lots of times, the rubber gave up!

I ground down an old 10mm ring spanner to get the top nut undone - it was a bit rounded by someones attempts in the past, but it's off now..

Onto the next problem! - my bottom hinge arm looks loose? - but according to the books, it's welded to the door beam, which in turn is glued to the door skin?!!

I guess I need to get the door panel off at the weekend - not looking forward to what I might find...

Box of rawlnuts and stainless bolts ordered....

Thanks for the welcome - had Lotuses for a few years now, looks like the M100 presents a load of new challanges! - great car though!

Anyone want a Sunbeam Lotus? - I really must thin the collection out a bit..

Gordon.

[Gordon]

Just for the devil of it, I've got both my A-Panels off at the moment, checking for rust

Can someone send me a picture of the "Spring clips" of which there are 2 (according to the manuals), on the front top edge of the panel.

Neither of my panels have any clips? - just a hole!!

[Gordon]

Just in case anyone was wondering what I found...

The bottom hinge arm had rotted right through, it was barely hanging onto the door beam.

No repair that I could think of, so a 2nd hand door solved the problem - that one is now full of waxoyl....



Can some kind soul move this thread to doors & windows?

Thanks all.