Are the front wings structural on a 7 ?

[gingerstu]

So trying to pick up on my stalled resto, have dropped off the o/s front wing (2.5 yrs after I undid the bolts!) , not rotten underneath, good.

But it was bolted/riveted on. Should I weld it back on or not ??

Or just bolt/rivet it and bond it back on ?

thoughts appreciated.....

cheers
Stuart

[Steve @ SandS]

Yes you should weld it back on

[jeffremj]

Given that you can get fibre-glass wings, I suggest that they may not be structural:

http://www.hamilton-motorsport.co.uk/acatalog/TR7_Fiberglass_Panels.html

[saabfast]

I think they are structural. The F/G ones are probably for racing ones with lot of strengthening where weight is important although they have been used on road cars. Having said that, I have seen a few with bolted front wings (in the rain channel) and have wondered how they did the connection to the underside wheel enclosure which must also be part of the strength, connected to the wing and inner flitch panels.

[seven]

I have seen bolted on front wings and apart from the bolts in the channel, there were PK screws through the wheel arch to the inner arch.

[FI Spyder]

Given that it's a monocoque design and the wings (fenders) are spot welded on and seams are full welded on rally cars for extra strength I would want to spot weld them back on. I would ride a bolted together soap box derby to leisurely roll down a hill but I wouldn't want to go 80 mph in it. True fiberglas fenders are available but I'm sure a race car is buttressed in other ways.

[sonscar]

After repairing the strut towers and inner wheelarches on my car I was dismayed to find that you could pull the towers out by hand(admittedly a STRONG hand).After rewelding the wings it was still possible to move them because you have to try,right?Full stiffness was only achieved when the outer wheelarch was replaced and welded to the outer wing,so I would definately say they were structural.Steve..

[Beans]

... so I would definately say they were structural ...

Fully agree. GRP wings are only suitable when you brace the chassis pick up points with a welded in cage and a strut-top-brace

[moestr7v8]

Hi Stuart
If you want to know how important it is for the front wings to be welded and if they are structural, contact Alec Pringle, details on members list, and I am certain that he will put you right on this matter.
Cheers
Moe

[kstrutt1]

Done correctly bonding and mechanical fixing can be stronger and stiffer than welding, you will need to have good clean surfaces and use a structural adhesive and not just sealer though.

[sonscar]

Does this only apply to applications designed for such?There may be more flex or other movement the adhesive is not designed for?I have no experience of such bonding but modifying the monocoque is apparently opening a can of worms in some quarters.Steve..

[gingerstu]

Many thanks for this. I had unfortunately forgotten I had asked the question, because last year I was a bit sidetracked due to moving house, so any TR7 thoughts (other than how to get it moved) were pushed to one side.

However, this year I have decided it's the TR7's day, and in order to get it done, I intend to farm out the painting so I can get on with the mechanics, brakes etc.

Seeing UPP562R at Stony Stratford yesterday spurred me on, as car is similar in that its' a Speke car but has a 16v Sprint engine & 5 spd box.

cheers
Stu