Removing inside side panel

Ian Aitken · Post by **Ian Aitken** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:49 pm

Today my bongo spectacularly failed her MOT (such a proud moment). Amongst other things is a hole in the floor around the aircon pipes underneath the back seat control panel for the air con. It can be welded(apparently) butI need to get at it from the inside, taking the inside side panel off around the air con controls. Anyone ever done this? Any hints, tips or laughter?

Thanks

Ian from Aberdeen

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 5:56 pm

Hi Ian
Remove the oddments tray by removing the crosshead screw and then carefully pull the panel off - it's secured by metal pop clips

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 7:08 pm

It would be interesting to see pictures of the MOT failure so that we can all check that similar problems are not on their way for us. Was the old girl waxoiled etc, and how long in the UK and on what kind of (salted) roads I wonder?

Mike

Ian Aitken · Post by **Ian Aitken** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 12:31 am

Thanks Dandywarhol and Mike. I'll try and take a picture tomorrow though its going in early to get repaired. We've had our bongo just over a year and we're the first in this country to have her. N reg. It was undersealed on the recommendation of the garage that we bought it from (which I'm not yet annoyed enough at to name - possibly not their fault) but the guy who is repairing it said that that's not a good thing to do as it just seals in trouble. I don't know enough to say which is right - you've just got to trust people at the end of the day.
The other big thing it failed on was that the "nearside front constant velocity joint gaiter" was split. Actually it's just occured to me that I was hit on that side recently by someone coming to fast out of a side street. The damage was to the side panel, but I wonder if that could be the cause of my constant velocity joint gaiter problem (cause up till now my joint gaiters have always been so happy!).
Cheers
Ian

Ian Aitken · Post by **Ian Aitken** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 1:40 pm

Sorry - did take some photos, but don't know how to insert them here! Not very techie for the techie forum I'm afraid.

Ian[/img]

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 12:53 am

Interesting to hear your news Ian. I too have heard that underseal is not recommended. I 'm considering having a fancy job (£387 cost) done at Chassis Clean near us as they waxoil and then put a hard Dinitrol product over it - sounds like the best of both worlds (they got strong recommendation from Forum member for their quality work) and would mean I dont have to acquire the discipline of getting waxoil renewed every year (which is recommended as it is soft and washes off over time I gather).

Good luck with repairs. You could email me pics at [email protected] if not too much hassle - I'd be v.interested to see them.

best

Mike

Ian Aitken · Post by **Ian Aitken** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 12:46 pm

Thanks Mike - I''ll email you the pics. Yes, the guy who is repairing mine said that waxoil was the thing to do.

Bless you

Ian