How Easy To Replace A Front Wing - Mk1 Galaxy?

[rustychain]

Hi there

 

I'm the proud new owner of a Mk 1 Galaxy, which I'm loving.

 

I bought the car with a quite badly damaged near side front wing. The wing needs replacing, which I'd like to have a go at. Does anyone know how to do this job and do you have any tips?

 

From what I can see, the job should be fairly straight forward (ie unbolt and remove the wing after taking out the wheel arch liner etc). The main issue from what I can see is the glass quarter light. Will it come out easily from the original wing?

 

Also, are there any precautions I should take after bolting the new wing in place to avoid rust? Such as priming and painting the bolts?

 

Thanks in anticipation of your responses.

 

Sean

[sparky Paul]

Welcome to the forum! ;)

 

From what I can see, the job should be fairly straight forward (ie unbolt and remove the wing after taking out the wheel arch liner etc). The main issue from what I can see is the glass quarter light. Will it come out easily from the original wing?

 

I have a feeling that the quarterlight is bonded to the chassis, and the wing is removed leaving the glass in place, so it shouldn't be a problem. Check the old wing for areas which need seam sealer and seal the new wing in the same areas, the wing is then is a straightforward bolt on.

[rustychain]

Hi Paul

 

Thanks for the response. I was having a closer look and wondered if the panel is bonded the front windscreen - I sure hope not!!!

 

Any suggestions on the type of sealant to use, some good quality general purpose stuff from Screwfix, or is there some specialist body panel sealant I should use?

[sparky Paul]

Thanks for the response. I was having a closer look and wondered if the panel is bonded the front windscreen - I sure hope not!!!

No, just unbolt and it should come off with a bit of persuasion. The windscreen is bonded to the body, the rubber between the wing and the windscreen is just a cosmetic filler strip.

 

Any suggestions on the type of sealant to use, some good quality general purpose stuff from Screwfix, or is there some specialist body panel sealant I should use?

Use PU body seam sealer in a tube, available from bodyshop suppliers, good motor factors, or even fleabay - just ask for seam sealer.

[mk2vr6]

front quarter light is held into place from the inside, remove the trim around the A post/dash and you'll find three nuts, undo and out pops the glass! as for the screen? well the wing panel extends up along side the lower half of the screen, so I would say that the screen would have to come out and you'll need a welder in order to fit the new wing!

[sparky Paul]

as for the screen? well the wing panel extends up along side the lower half of the screen, so I would say that the screen would have to come out and you'll need a welder in order to fit the new wing!

 

I might be wrong, but AFAIK the wing is bolt on. I don't think the bit adjacent to the screen is actually fixed to anything - if you press on it, you'll see that it moves. It's the same around the quarter light.

 

You can find lots of secondhand wings on fleabay, I reckon they come off quite easily.

Edited March 25, 2010 by sparky Paul