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removal of interior trim and carpet

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:28 pm
by tipidave1
My beloved Bongo has just failed its MOT, and requires some welding to the sills on both sides. Not such a hard job I thought, but I have been quoted around £1500. This is because on the driver's side it needs welding around the heater/ aircon pipes. The interior trim and carpets needs to be removed, the aircon system and radiator drained down. Can anyone tell me what I need to do in order to strip out the interior myself? How difficult a task is this and how long is it likely to take?
Does anyone know of a reputable welding service in or around fareham/ portsmouth area? Surely £1500 is an awfull lot of welding.

Any help or advise greatfully received.

Re: removal of interior trim and carpet

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:08 pm
by mikeonb4c
Sounds ridiculous to me. Aldi are selling an arc welder for £39 at present - DIY it and/or prep it and get a welder over?

Re: removal of interior trim and carpet

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:16 pm
by tipidave1
Quite happy to prep it, just not sure where to start... Have got a very hectic week ahead, and I don't want to make a start on something that I won't be able to complete... Hence a request for some advice on how to set about removing the interior. :D

Re: removal of interior trim and carpet

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:39 pm
by madmile
Its an hour or so work to strip out the interior (bit more to put it back again). If it needs welding around the pipes etc then a lot of the work is going to be stripping and refitting with cutting and refitting the welded parts for the heater to be refitted.
Sounds like an awkward job, but I agree £1500 does sound a lot on the face of it.

Re: removal of interior trim and carpet

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:16 pm
by missfixit70
Unbolt & remove the seats (2 people to lift the runner mounted seats) Unbolt the seatbelts, gently pull the side panels off, search for the clips that have pinged off :twisted: disconnect the leccy blind switches if you've got them & the rear lighter socket. Unscrew the end caps on the floor rails, slide out the plastic strips on the rails, lift out the carpet.
All from memory from a couple of months ago, so usual disclaimers apply :wink:
Good luck [-o<

Re: removal of interior trim and carpet

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:59 pm
by tipidave1
Thanks for that... I have found a local chap who comes recommended he said hold off on stripping it out untill he has had a look! I shall see him tomorrow... from your description it sounds quite doable if it is still needed. When you said looking for the clips, do they spring off? is it just a case of pulling or do the trim panels need prising off?