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To weld the moonroof or not......that is the question.
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2017 12:00 am
by notnilc20
Thinking of trying to weld in a panel where the moonroof sits....could I somehow use the moonroof panel that's there already? Just gotta be able to fill in the 1/8" gap where the seal is. Or is it too risky? I dont wanna eff up my roof via warping it with the heat that welding brings. Would it be better to use some sheetmetal and cut it to fit the hole? I'd like to get rid of the moonroof but if it's too much trouble/risk then I'll keep it I guess.
Re: To weld the moonroof or not......that is the question.
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2017 4:45 am
by davew7
It would be a lot more work with a 1/8" gap. It would be a 2 man job. You would need a 2nd person holding a copper block under the panel gap for each tack weld. You could only do a few tacks, then have to move to another location. The easiest method to reduce weld distortion is to cut a larger panel sheet and bead roll an offset around the perimeter. Drill holes in the roof and puddle weld the new panel in place. Dave W7
Re: To weld the moonroof or not......that is the question.
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 9:26 am
by notnilc20
Thanks for the info DaveW7.....when you say puddle weld....do you mean like a plug weld?
I effed up my drivers side door with some warpage welding in some patch panels, so my confidence has gone down quite a bit. I'm leaning more towards trying to line this moonroof back up.
Re: To weld the moonroof or not......that is the question.
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 2:12 pm
by jinx
or...
if u mig welding, practice a bunch of tack welds on scrap sheet metal
then tack some pieces 'flush' on the sunroof panel, that will keep the panel from falling thru.
leave the ground clamp on one. grind em all off later
find any lightwt steel suitable sized to fill the perimeter gap. I sliced some brake line iirc - lol
tack at random spots as u move around. I keep a wet rag nearby to keep heat local
i put a support 'rib' underside (cut from another roof). Just tacked in spots, don't get crazy
i hate overhead welding!
i cut out a 98 prelude sliding glass sunroof that i will put in my ae86 later
the type that tilts up at the rear & slides on the outside above the roof.
i always thought they look way cool & suit an ae hatch
Re: To weld the moonroof or not......that is the question.
Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 7:22 am
by notnilc20
jinx wrote:or...
if u mig welding, practice a bunch of tack welds on scrap sheet metal
then tack some pieces 'flush' on the sunroof panel, that will keep the panel from falling thru.
leave the ground clamp on one. grind em all off later
find any lightwt steel suitable sized to fill the perimeter gap. I sliced some brake line iirc - lol
tack at random spots as u move around. I keep a wet rag nearby to keep heat local
i put a support 'rib' underside (cut from another roof). Just tacked in spots, don't get crazy
i hate overhead welding!
i cut out a 98 prelude sliding glass sunroof that i will put in my ae86 later
the type that tilts up at the rear & slides on the outside above the roof.
i always thought they look way cool & suit an ae hatch
That's good advice....thank you jinx....yeah I thought about filling that small gap with those small diameter metal rods you can get at lowes or home depot......using brake line, I would have never thought of that. Still up in the air about it....i was all for it but after screwing up my door so bad i'm a little sceered.....i can get another door (as troublesome as that is), but replacing a warped roof would leave me in dire straights for sure.
Re: To weld the moonroof or not......that is the question.
Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 10:47 am
by CloudStrife
Notnilc, I'll trade you my non-sunroof panel
Re: To weld the moonroof or not......that is the question.
Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 11:40 am
by notnilc20
CloudStrife wrote:Notnilc, I'll trade you my non-sunroof panel
Deal.
Re: To weld the moonroof or not......that is the question.
Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 11:58 am
by notnilc20
notnilc20 wrote:CloudStrife wrote:Notnilc, I'll trade you my non-sunroof panel
Deal.
Re: To weld the moonroof or not......that is the question.
Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 12:01 pm
by CloudStrife
Just gotta get the Corolla road trip worthy. We'll get together about it.
Got my manual rack and u-joint by the way.
Re: To weld the moonroof or not......that is the question.
Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 3:23 pm
by jinx
oh i forgot to mention, cover any glass nearby when welding
masking tape on bodywork paper, then spray bottle water mist lightly
inside, cover dash and cut/wedge in cardboard to protect windshield. Spray mist just b 4 u start 2 weld
Re: To weld the moonroof or not......that is the question.
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2017 7:51 am
by saiGone
replace the whole panel with a non sunroof panel from another car!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3F9ovYVEhI