My C500, replacement of the lower core support...

[hemi68charger]

Hey gang..
Well, as most of you know already, I have another C500... Well, I'm getting closer to getting her fired up, but wanted to take care of this beforehand. The lower core support was damaged during shipment, so I've undertaken the task of replacing it. I sold some misc. parts and bought the AMD core support section. Man, it's a nice piece. This is my VERY FIRST attempt at anything to do with body repair.
So, I wired wheeled the support to find the spot welds and then had at it with my grinder. Guess there's more efficient ways of doing this, but it was all the same cool to me. I was able to get the one side freed tonight. I'll mess with the other side soon. I know it looks rather crude. I also took some measurements before the original piece went bye-bye..

[maxwellwedge]

AB the BM (body man)!

Could the original not be dollied out?

[hemi68charger]

AB the BM (body man)!

Could the original not be dollied out?

Wow, I know what you're talking about... Naw,,,, Plus, since it's a reasonably an easy undertaking, especially for a novice like me, I figured this would be a cool project for me...

[Alaskan_TA]

That looks like it could have been fixed easily to me without replacing it. 

[hemi68charger]

That looks like it could have been fixed easily to me without replacing it. 

There was more damage than appeared in the photos. Plus, I wanted to experiment with working on my very first sheetmetal replacement. It's such a simple and non-important structure. What the heck. I have someone with a welder that can come over to the house and I can reinstall the new one.

[moparstuart]

That looks like it could have been fixed easily to me without replacing it. 

There was more damage than appeared in the photos. Plus, I wanted to experiment with working on my very first sheetmetal replacement. It's such a simple and non-important structure. What the heck. I have someone with a welder that can come over to the house and I can reinstall the new one.

great feeling  doing it your self 

[tan top]

   

[hemi68charger]

Finally got the complete unit out and spot welds ground down. Test fitted the new unit and it fits wonderfully. Now I'll wait for my friend to come over with the welder and he can teach me that... I was sort of proud of myself on this one. Felt good to have taken out the old piece and get the new one positioned.

[hemi68charger]

Anyone of you use one of these for spot welds?

[tan top]

used the singled sided spot weld attachment  from the muitispot station loads of times ,  only use it as  last resort type thing ! & where you cant use a conventional spot welder !!   , if  it were mine  Troy , i would NOT single side that ! mig plug it &  grind the welds down a little , then skim of bondo , then  after bondo flatted , get a  spot weld  drill or a broken drill bit  same size as the spot welds , & just lightly touch/drill  the bondo where the original spot welds were , to recreate the look of it being spot welded ,  lightly flat the fake spot welds with 180 grit , then prime  

might be an idea to clean up the   flanges on the ends of the chassis rails also  ,(  wire brush better , wont make too thin then ) &  straighten  , before your welding buddy comes over save a bit of time ,

[Aero426]

    Structural part of the car = plug weld it. 

[hemi68charger]

OK, I see what you guys are referring to as "plug welding"... Told ya, I'm a novice.. I googled 'plug weld'  

Prepared drilled out top panel (new AMD radiator core support) with mig in place for welding (filling in the hole). Base is the framerail.



Filled in plugs



cleaned up, ground smooth and leaving the spot weld look.



Is this what you guys are talking about? If so, then I would get a drill bit the same diameter as the original spot welds...  Drill out the same locations from original (have digital photos), position panels, plug weld and then ground smooth leaving a round spot weld depression.

[Aero426]

That is exactly correct. 

[tan top]

 

[CornDogsCharger]

used the singled sided spot weld attachment  from the muitispot station loads of times ,  only use it as  last resort type thing ! & where you cant use a conventional spot welder !!   , if  it were mine  Troy , i would NOT single side that ! mig plug it &  grind the welds down a little , then skim of bondo , then  after bondo flatted , get a  spot weld  drill or a broken drill bit  same size as the spot welds , & just lightly touch/drill  the bondo where the original spot welds were , to recreate the look of it being spot welded ,  lightly flat the fake spot welds with 180 grit , then prime  

might be an idea to clean up the   flanges on the ends of the chassis rails also  ,(  wire brush better , wont make too thin then ) &  straighten  , before your welding buddy comes over save a bit of time ,

I SECOND THAT!!!!

Justin
"CornDog"

[hemi68charger]

Hey there gang..
I"m going to do the plug method.. I'll probably do this Monday or Tuesday of next week.

[jonw29]

Troy.Good Job.However You do realize that this is only the beginning.In you next post you will have a thread like Corndogs.LOLI am where you are experience wise,we gotta start somewhere right?

[Aero426]

Hey there gang..
I"m going to do the plug method.. I'll probably do this Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Also, make sure the parts are clamped together tightly.    So if you need to round up some welding vise grips, you can do that ahead of time.   Maybe your buddy with the welder has them.

[hemi68charger]

Hey there gang..
I"m going to do the plug method.. I'll probably do this Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Also, make sure the parts are clamped together tightly.    So if you need to round up some welding vise grips, you can do that ahead of time.   Maybe your buddy with the welder has them.

Aren't those welding vise-grips I have holding the part on now in the pictures? I understand I may need more?

[hemi68charger]

Troy.Good Job.However You do realize that this is only the beginning.In you next post you will have a thread like Corndogs.LOLI am where you are experience wise,we gotta start somewhere right?

Oh Lord, we are on the same page... I was wondering about replacing the complete floorpan!!!  Easy (relatively speaking of course) and no real finishing required... Just seam/body sealer..........   

[hemi68charger]

Did a little more today..

1. Drilled out some holes for the plug welding to simulate the spot welds.
2. Passenger side positioned and held in place with some sheetmetal screws. I'll drill out the plug holes in the front later on..
3. Driver's side positioned.
4. From the underside.