Cracking Bodywork!

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Discussion

robertm

Original Poster:

253 posts

270 months

Wednesday 4th September 2002
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TMS collected my Tamora on Monday for the 1000 mile service, plus attention to the expected list of niggles.

Checking the car over on Sunday, to make sure that I hadn't missed anything off the list, I noticed some cracks in the paintwork by the rubber seal around the drivers door, adjacent to the polished plate that conceals the latch.

On closer inspection, I discovered that it wasn't just the paint that was cracking, but the bodywork!

The door has never been difficult to close, but it appears to have been applying sufficient pressure to this section of bodywork to start breaking it.

It can be wobbled back and forth by about 5mm and I'm sure if left long enough without attention, would probably break off completely.

Hopefully this is a one off, but it may be worth checking your cars just in case.

kevinday

12,287 posts

287 months

Thursday 5th September 2002
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Are you sure it is not the result of somebody either opening their door onto it or somebody hitting/kicking it?

robertm

Original Poster:

253 posts

270 months

Thursday 5th September 2002
quotequote all
quote:

Are you sure it is not the result of somebody either opening their door onto it or somebody hitting/kicking it?



The piece that is breaking is only visible when the door is open, and it would be virtually impossible for someone elses door to make contact with that part of the bodywork.

If the outer surface of the door had been hit hard enough to do that damage, it would probably have smashed the door as well!

As the door is closed, if you look down from above, you can see the the panel bending as the door comes in to contact with the rubber seal.

nubbin

6,809 posts

285 months

Thursday 5th September 2002
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Obviously, someone didn't lay up the mould properly, and has missed putting down a proper thickness of glass mat in the area. Back to the factory, I reckon!!

MikeE

1,850 posts

291 months

Thursday 5th September 2002
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had the same issue on my first Tuscan (although in a different place).

Apparently the new hollow fibre GRP is more difficult to use as the matting has to be cut to the exact size, so in areas like the one you describe (I think) and the recessed rear light aperture (in my case) you can find that the job wasn't done properly and the fibre glass is paper thin. In my case the recesses where so thin they started to crack and the lights fell out!