welding sills

piperh

Hi not sure if this is the right thread if not can a mod move it to the right one please.

My 60yr old mom is learning to drive in an old 92 micra and its just failed its nct as it needs new sills inside and out. Everything else passed and this is the first welding its ever needed. Does anybody know if this is a big job and if so what sort of cost is she looking at?

I think if she has to get rid of the car she might stop driving.

aujopimur

I'd say it would be cheaper to replace the car with a similar model in better condition with a test,if you repaired it yourself it would workout fairly cheap, thats if you don't include time which could be a lot.

colm_mcm

You could pick up a k11 micra with power steering for 500 quid these days with test.

piperh

Thanks for the replies as i said i don't think buying a new car is going to happen, its an automatic and you don't get many small old autos. She's put aside around €350 for the repairs but i wouldn't be surprised if it came in more.

aujopimur

You'd be suprised how many small automatic cars are about.

Mr Benevolent

aujopimur wrote: »

You'd be suprised how many small automatic cars are about.

+1. There are loads of automatic K11s.

Monty.

piperh wrote: »

Thanks for the replies as i said i don't think buying a new car is going to happen, its an automatic and you don't get many small old autos. She's put aside around €350 for the repairs but i wouldn't be surprised if it came in more.

Talk to a couple of local independent mechanics, one of them should know someone in the area that is a good bodywork specialist at welding up cills and old chassis. The right guy will have his own car lift, and metal folding presses etc. for the sheet steel, and will prime and seal the new steel sections. A mate of mine got a lot of very good welding and replacement steel sections done on a car recently and it cost him less than €200. I suppose it depends on whose available and able to do it in your locality. Get a quote anyway and then you can decide.

piperh

Thanks for the replies, she took it into garage and its costing €170 all in with new cv boot as well.

Not bad seeing as the car only cost €600 6yrs ago and this is the 3rd nct the family have put it through and in 6 yrs the repairs have cost €115 in total so certainly had moneys worth out of it.

Capri86

Can I ask which garage it was? Just that it is great value and I am looking at new sills myself

Notch000

does the whole sill have to be replaced or is it just cleaning up & patching over any rotten rections ?

piperh

Capri86 wrote: »

Can I ask which garage it was? Just that it is great value and I am looking at new sills myself

Notch000 wrote: »

does the whole sill have to be replaced or is it just cleaning up & patching over any rotten rections ?

Its in Dungarvan so it might be a bit of a trek for you but i'll get the name of it and pm you if still interested. I thought it was a good price, He had it up on ramps giving it a good luck before he gave her the quote so he knows exactly what needs doing.

No the whole sills need replacing. The car has never had any welding done before and apparantly the rest of it appears solid, nothing on arches or anywhere else.