GRP rear tub - a bit too wide...?

[Ben_Copeland]

As with Mick,

Perfect fit, and the original panels/mould where built on a Haynes chassis.

How have you stored the panel? It's not been laying on it's back with the sides in the air has it??

[jps]

Originally Posted by Ben_Copeland

As with Mick,

Perfect fit, and the original panels/mould where built on a Haynes chassis.

How have you stored the panel? It's not been laying on it's back with the sides in the air has it??

It has mostly been stored in the position it would actually be fitted to the chassis - but has spent some time as you've described.

I do understand that GRP can warp - and be bent back to shape too - but given the 'lip' that the moulding has - I'm not sure how the whole thing is slightly too wide though? It's not as though it has splayed outwards at the open end - it's as though the whole panel (i.e. - the bit the numberplate will attach to) is a few mm wider than it needs to be...


Anyway - regardless of how it has got like this - what's the best approach to get it to fit?

a) mount the rear panel and side panels slightly away from the chassis (pad it out with something)
b) try and persuade the rear panel to fit to the chassis somehow
c) something else

[Ben_Copeland]

In reality it doesn't really matter too much if its not tight to the chassis.

Mines riveted along the bottom flange to the chassis and riveted behind the rear arches.

Once the rear arches are fitted I don't think you'll notice if the ends are pulled in slightly as the panel will be pulled about to match the arch shape.

[jps]

Originally Posted by Ben_Copeland

In reality it doesn't really matter too much if its not tight to the chassis.

Mines riveted along the bottom flange to the chassis and riveted behind the rear arches.

Once the rear arches are fitted I don't think you'll notice if the ends are pulled in slightly as the arches will be pulled about to match the arch shape.

Fair enough - I did look at the pics of Stots car on his build thread and basically go "ah - it'll all be covered up by wheel arch anyway"!!!

Is your car going to be at Stoneleigh Ben? If so I'll come and have a good look at it!!!! (with a T-square in hand!)

[Ben_Copeland]

I'm hoping to be, but not sure yet. Have to see who else is going from Kent.

Otherwise your welcome to visit Margate and i'll take you out in it

[Stot]

My tub fitted ok too but I probably had to coax it a little bit. I had more or a problem with my side panels but have it looking ok now albeit with a gap at the front top rails.

Cheers
Stot

[Ben_Copeland]

Originally Posted by Stot

My tub fitted ok too but I probably had to coax it a little bit. I had more or a problem with my side panels but have it looking ok now albeit with a gap at the front top rails.

Cheers
Stot

My side panels were bloody tight by the time they went over the aluminium floor panel !

[j.brownster79]

Originally Posted by Ben_Copeland

I'm hoping to be, but not sure yet. Have to see who else is going from Kent.

Otherwise your welcome to visit Margate and i'll take you out in it

I'm hoping u do aswell Ben want to see this bodywork! equinox is the body work I'm hoping to order! Heard all good things about it.

[mgglep]

I bought my sides and rear from equinox absolutely top quality and fitted perfect with just a tiny push really rigid aswell