LadyDriven

I'm in the middle of doing some weight reduction on the car, and I attempted removing a few spot welds over the weekend with a spot weld cutter. I managed to get the clam-shell looking things that hold the rear seats down out successfully, but when I tackled the metal that supports the rear passenger armrests, I had a hell of a time. Other than the spot welds, it seems to be "glued" in place somehow. I've never done this before, and was a little worried about damaging the car, so I've just left it for now. Once the spot welds are cut out, can I just pry it off with a small chisel/crowbar?

Thx,
Amanda

913MOTOR

iTrader: (1)

Mine had kinda rusted underneath the glue so they came off with a couple twist, but best bet is get a hair dryer thats real strong or a heat gun and a scraper.

LadyDriven

That was going to be the next thing I tried, thanks!

IH8FORD

iTrader: (6)

In the body shop I use a propane torch and a putty knife for splitting seam sealer and glue.

LadyDriven

Sweet, thanks.

Any tips for removing the spot welds? I broke 6 of my boyfriend's small drill bits trying to put the holes through the welds to line up the spot weld cutter

cbra-klla

iTrader: (52)

take your time and invest in some good drill bits....

LadyDriven

I was taking time, and I'm pretty sure he has good drill bits. Or HAD good drill bits at least.

James Montigny

iTrader: (13)

JBWeld them back together and put them back when you found them.

LadyDriven

That'd be a great idea, 'cept he was in the car tent beside me working on his own car, and could hear me swearing loudly everytime I snapped another one

y2k_ta

iTrader: (80)

I just used my grinder on top of them. I eventually knocked off enough of the metal on the bracket that I was able to pry it off. Then just smooth down what is left with the grinder. If you put a small hole in the floor it can always be tack-welded shut.

IH8FORD

iTrader: (6)

I always just drill all the way through with good drill bits and weld the holes back up. it saves time in the long run.

BAKED

iTrader: (14)

+1

Cutoff wheels and grinding discs are alot faster than tying to drill out all of the spot welds.

nickp

iTrader: (2)

i did mine last weekend. i just center punched all the spot welds then used a #3 center drill. luckily, i was able to do all of them with one bit. it took longer than i thought it would, but turned out pretty good.

InsaneAuto86

iTrader: (60)

+2... I did the same

LadyDriven

I don't know how to weld, hence the spot weld cutter. I don't mind having teeny little holes in my car, but I can't have huge spots where I've drilled through

Skinny

iTrader: (11)

Are you using a center punch to mark your spot before drilling? If not, get yourself a center punch and a hammer. That will help hold the bit centered where you want it without having to "steer" the drill, which is what usually leads to broken drill bits.

LadyDriven

yup, I was using one, but I'm pretty little, maybe I wasn't hitting it hard enough to make enough if a dent.

InsaneAuto86

iTrader: (60)

You can use epoxy putty for the little holes if you dont want to weld them.