Hi all, I've had to undo some of the terrible work done by the person that restored my van. The sliding door track was really bad so I've cut off the outer sill and I am in the process of cutting out the roller track panel. I'm struggling to get into the corners. Any tips for removing the metal? Also, as the sliding door roller track runs all the way back to the rear wheel arch, am I better off removing the front part of the rear wheel arch to get at it? If it is the best way to do it then I don't mind. I've already bought the new section in anticipation of having to do it. Here are a couple of photos:
Good luck with it, looks like a blunt chisel was used to remove the old track, just be careful not to remove too much as you get closer towards the threshold above, I’d use an angle grinder with cutting discs, reciprocating saw, and finger belt sander to get where you need to be. I’d probably also cut the lower rear arch - just depends how far, and how much reworking you want to get involved with. In my opinion it’s one of the most difficult areas to repair on these buses.
Thanks Kruger, I've tried the grinder and the reciprocating saw but that's as far as I can go with them. I'll try locate a finger belt sander. I'm not phased about cutting out the rear arch section because the line is all wrong along the bottom anyway.
My apologies, that’s your cut line I was referring to Although awkward I think you’d get that nice if using an angle grinder upside down - you’ll be laying underneath and it won’t be nice but with a full blade 115mm I think you’d have enough depth (might have to remove the grinder guard if obstructive!) to make a neat job of it. There was a post recently about the cheap belt sanders that are good.
I have one of these you can use it with or without the flexi extension its great for getting into tight places. I even managed to sand down inside the rear vents with a mini flap disc. Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
