Page 1 of 1

1936 14hp. Procedure to remove front wing.

Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2019 6:57 pm
by RumblinRon
Hi Guys

I need to take a front wing off, what's the best way to go about it (and put it back on again all lined up !).

Ron

Re: 1936 14hp. Procedure to remove front wing.

Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2019 8:49 am
by TonyG
Ron,

My reply assumes that your 14 is pretty much the same as my P1 12.
Taking the front wing off isn’t complicated, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy. It all depends on the condition of the car and if/when the wing was last removed.

In simple terms there are two coach bolts located in slots welded to the underside of the wing just behind the side light (which will need disconnecting). These bolt through to the main wing support member. Close to these is the bolt holding the end of the bar that passes through the wing and bolts onto the radiator. There are about six nuts and bolts along bottom edge of wing holding it to the chassis. Also there will be coach bolts or maybe screws fixing trailing edge of wing to running board.

Remove all these and the wing should simply lift off.

However, back in the real world, it is likely that most of these bolts will be rusted and seized. Also, the running board mat will need lifting, which means removing chrome trim so could be a challenge.
The wing itself may also be badly rusted; around the light and top support bolts, along bottom edge where it meets the chassis and at the rear where the road dirt collects above the running board. Basically, everywhere that you have fixings to remove.

So, the first job is to locate all of these fixings, clean off as well as you can and treat well with WD40. Some may undo and some may need cutting off but you can get to most of them with a mini grinder. Make sure you keep the spacers used with the bolt on the bar from the radiator as you will need this to re fit the wing. A good idea to take lots of pictures to refer back to as well.

If the wing is badly rusted it will be fragile in places so take care to retain its shape so repairs can be made without too much distortion. There will be a bead between wing and chassis. This will be ruined in the process but easy to source. Equally, nuts bolts and washers in stainless steel are available in similar sizes from Toolstation for very little cost. The key thing is to preserve the panel during removal and not worry about the bolts.

Once off, refitting is a reverse process without the bolt cutting! Hopefully, your car is good and solid making all the above quite easy. If, like my Tourer, every bolt has to be cut and the wings, running boards etc are all rotten then it will be a bigger task as more redial work will be required before the wing can go back on.

Good luck with all that and let me know how you get on.

Tony,

Re: 1936 14hp. Procedure to remove front wing.

Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2019 12:58 pm
by RumblinRon
Thanks Tony

Basicly I was concerned I would be pushing and pulling on a "stuck" wing only to find a hidden bolt after I had bent or broken something ! (im sure weve all been there). Hopefully it will be as straightforward as you initially made it sound.
The car has been restored in the past and has no visible rust so fingers crossed, however it's needs some fettling that will be easier off the car.

Ron

PS. Good luck with yours, it will be a fine car when sorted.

Re: 1936 14hp. Procedure to remove front wing.

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 9:13 am
by TonyG
Ron,

Thanks, my P2 Saloon is still in a state of undress but my P1 Tourer is already sorted and a constant joy to own and drive. That said, the ‘fun’ of owning a classic car is that there is always more to do and improvements that can be made. Since getting it on the road in 2016, each subsequent year additional elements have been added to the jigsaw; hood, tonneau, carpets etc plus new oil pump, rocker shaft..... the fun never ends! This year I’ve driven the old girl lots and that is something we all need to do more, if only to put a smile on the faces of other motorists. I even overtook another car on the A17 because it was going too slow. Not that I have too much trouble keeping up with B road traffic!

I look forward to seeing your 14 at some point.

Tony.