Teknologikal
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Registered: 11th May 06
Location: Cardiff
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I've done some searching around the forum and I am placing this problem as one of the priority tasks before I put tax on my Corsa and start using her.
So, from what I have made out here it is common practice to drill a hole either side of the crack to stop it spreading, grinding back the crack then seam welding it closed again. Is this method alone enough? I've also read that you can weld a reinforcement plate behind the B Pillar too. Are these pre-cut and if so where can I get them? If not, how thick do they need to be?
Kind of hoping someone with experience will post here because my searches have yielded nothing set in stone....just dribs and drabs of info.
There are only small cracks on mine (early stages) but since I want to lower my SRi it's probably better to nip this in the bud.
EDIT: I'm hoping I don't have to take her to a garage for this repair since my brother can weld and just bought a MIG welder.
[Edited on 14-05-2006 by Teknologikal]
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Adam
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Registered: 1st May 01
Location: Hurstbourne Tarrant
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Don't think anyone does pre cut plates for them but some normal sheet steel will be fine about 1.5mm.
if you drill it and re-weld it and do the plates at the same time.
Roll cage is also good to stop it happening in future 
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Teknologikal
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Registered: 11th May 06
Location: Cardiff
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How long should the plates be then? Mine shouldn't be too hard to sort out since the cracks are very small, just son't want them getting out of hand.
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Adam
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Registered: 1st May 01
Location: Hurstbourne Tarrant
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just guessing here but I'd say about 1cm high and 5mm wider than the crack, if it's too big then there will still be a bit of movement near the crack site causing it to re-apear
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Teknologikal
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Registered: 11th May 06
Location: Cardiff
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Nice one mate, sounds easy enough (says I who can't weld  )
Will get my bro to sort that out for me as priority. She's off the road til I sort a few things out anyway. Thanks for the advice, hope this thread helps a few others too.
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STEvieXE
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Registered: 21st Jan 03
Location: Ballymena N.I.
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i repaired mine just slightly over a year ago. drilled out the cracks at each end n seam welded them up. was a really gd repair, im a qualified panel beater. was 100% happy with it. just over a year l8r withr ock hard suspension i see a wee hairline in it again
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Teknologikal
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Registered: 11th May 06
Location: Cardiff
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quote:
Originally posted by STEvieN.I.
i repaired mine just slightly over a year ago. drilled out the cracks at each end n seam welded them up. was a really gd repair, im a qualified panel beater. was 100% happy with it. just over a year l8r withr ock hard suspension i see a wee hairline in it again
Okay so would you recommend a bigger plate (longer perhaps) instead? Or is the only hope a rollcage? I would prefer to keep my back seats though, not sure what to do
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mitch2
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Registered: 14th Nov 05
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I don't know if this would work. (this is what i'm going to try) I'm going to drill small holes all the way along the split. Then put a plate on the inside of the car that is about 2mm thick. Seam weld round the plate and then weld through the holes so it is spot welded. Holefully that should stop it from cracking. Only one way to find out.
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jamesvalver
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Registered: 21st Feb 03
Location: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
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drill a hole at each end of the crack ( this stops it spreading anymore) and then weld it up, grind it back smooth and skim with filler. this is was we did when i repaired them on my old gsi
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ed
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Registered: 10th Sep 03
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Can't plate them from behind, there is no room at all!
I just welded mine back up. They'll probably crack again in a few years.
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STEvieXE
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Registered: 21st Jan 03
Location: Ballymena N.I.
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yes there isnt room 2 plate it up from behind. i just welded it up. tried to put a really penetrating weld thru it to hopefully hit the pillar behind to make it stronger. honestly dont know wot went wrong. u actually get a bond type thing from vauxhall for repairing these, but didnt thing much of it n never used it. maybe if i had of pumped this in behind would have been a better job..
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ed
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Registered: 10th Sep 03
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I touch welded them up to get some thickness so I didn't make any holes, then kept on adding on more and more material then ground it all back. Not the neatest of jobs but never mind
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valverguy
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Registered: 9th May 06
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I had mine done yesterday for my MOT (failed on it)... They look a bit of a mess but they guy in the garge has managed to weld a plate on both sides... looks like a good job i just need to grind it back and skim it now!
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Metzy
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Registered: 5th Mar 05
Location: Stoke
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Got this on both mine and bros smoke grey corsa sports, is it really that necessary to do them? there only a few mm wide with slight rust? just didnt really want to respray the rear quarters cause i probably wont end up with a great paint match
And ed your cosas had a bit of work done hasnt it? can see at least two different colour paint layers on there?
wayne
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Will_Sport
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Registered: 28th Jun 04
Location: Notts
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do the whole rear quarters need spraying when this is done?
how much does this repair usually cost?
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Adam-D
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Registered: 11th May 02
Location: Cheshire
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the b pillar is 3 skins thick
i know i cut a roof off a corsa to see
i would just weld it up
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Will_Sport
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Registered: 28th Jun 04
Location: Notts
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did you cut the roof off JUST to see the b-pillars? lol
or where you making a corsa cabriolet pmsl
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Adam-D
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Registered: 11th May 02
Location: Cheshire
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i was fucking up a already fucked corsa shell
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Adam-D
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Registered: 11th May 02
Location: Cheshire
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[Edited on 19-05-2006 by Adam-D]
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Teknologikal
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Registered: 11th May 06
Location: Cardiff
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I think I might get a rollcage after all Once I get mine welded, she's being resprayed and I don't wanna have to deal with this problem again in the near future.
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BeArDy
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Registered: 7th Aug 00
Location: Manchester
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you can just weld them up BUT seal the back with somthing after or it will come back, this is the main reason when people have them repaired it comes back.
the weld them and make the face look nice BUT at the back of the weld its left to rust.......
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Teknologikal
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Registered: 11th May 06
Location: Cardiff
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So essentially, for the best repair;
Drill a hole each side of the crack using a drill bit that isn't larger than it needs to be then grind in until you see fresh metal and seam weld it. Then, spot weld a 2mm thick plate behind the pillar (I'm guessing longer would be better but not looked at the inside of the pillar properly yet). Then, for cosmetic purposes, grind back the weld that's gonna be on show, then a bit of filler and elbow grease to make it look as it should.
Sounds easy enough (in theory at least)
(EDIT: I'll take pics of mine when I see may car later today, they really are minimal cracks but with an imminent respray I want it dealt with nonetheless)
Demon Tweeks have a rollcage for the Corsa B in stock retailing at £340.67 (+£35 P+P inc. VAT)....money I haven't got spare right now though 
[Edited on 19-05-2006 by Teknologikal]
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Will_Sport
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Registered: 28th Jun 04
Location: Notts
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how do you get the plate onto the back though?
can you take the rear door cards off to get to it (what are the rear door cards called if there aren't any rear doors pmsl)
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Teknologikal
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Registered: 11th May 06
Location: Cardiff
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S'pose it'd be called a rear trim....haven't got a Haynes manual yet but gonna investigate that issue once I do. Seems the common thought on here is that it's difficult/impossible to weld behind it.
(EDIT: Just got off the 'phone to the Vauxhall bodyshop here in Cardiff. The guy I spoke to suggested the method that Vauxhall used whilst cars were under warranty. Pumping the pillar full of the bonding agent that they use for bonding the windows in then just welding it as described above).
[Edited on 19-05-2006 by Teknologikal]
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