Vito - do I replace the whole sill?

[finisterre]

Hi.

Mr MOT has just pointed out that my R reg Vito 108d (638) has holes in the sills.

Much as I would like to do a cheap job I am wondering if it might be wiser to replace the entire sill instead of steel sticking plasters. Assuming sills are available for a reasonable price.

The sub frame front offside mount was also pointed and laughed at. It needs work.


Altogether very annoying, I have only done 75000 miles in it and the MOT lad was full of praise for the superb state of the engine. He said 0.5 thingys of whatsit is very good indeed.

 

[nick mercedes]

Much as I would like to do a cheap job I am wondering if it might be wiser to replace the entire sill instead of steel sticking plasters. Assuming sills are available for a reasonable price.

MB don't do sills, just the whole sides, so patches might be the order of the day...

 

[219]

In that case , an aftermarket supplier such as Hadrian Panels , or someone else , may do a repair section .

A decent bodyshop ought to know .

 

[CKLclive]

Hadrian panels dont list one online will fone them today and check

Clive

 

[finisterre]

Good Lord!

I didn't realise the internet was this helpful.

I have looked online and haven't bumped into any sills.

Patches may be my only option.

Though considering the rubbishness of the rustproofing on my van it looks like a nice steady earner to sell pressed panel parts.



Thanks chaps.

 

[nick mercedes]

Good Lord!

I didn't realise the internet was this helpful.

I have looked online and haven't bumped into any sills.

Patches may be my only option.

Though considering the rubbishness of the rustproofing on my van it looks like a nice steady earner to sell pressed panel parts.



Thanks chaps.

Where abouts on the sill is it rusty?

The reason I ask is the sides come in 2 sections, the first bit goes up to the end of the front door, the second from the side loader right to the back.

 

[finisterre]

The rear section on both sides is holed, you can stick your fingers through it.

Once one bit has rotted and if sub frame mount sections are crapped out I wonder if it is just going to dissolve around me as I weld.

Throwing good money after bad is my worry

 

[hotrodjon]

Try making a cardboard template of the profile of the sill and check with your local bodypanel suppliers to see if any other vehicle uses a similar shape sill which you could modify to suit or cut up to make repair sections.

 

[pawnie]

Did you find pattern sills or was patching the way you went?
Only asking as mine are shot to pieces.

 

[CB1100R]

I'm now in the market for a pair of 638 cills too... :-(

So any info would be great..?

Cheers.. Glenn

 

[pawnie]

I had mine fabricated by a back street welder.
I got a quote from main stealer for full cills and they worked out over £2000.
Had them fabricated, fitted and sprayed for less than £400.

 

[CB1100R]

Thanks for the reply - I was wondering if pattern Sprinter sills might make a good basis to start from - they can be obtained. Have to do some sneaky car park profile checking to see..

Cheers.. Glenn

 

[pawnie]

There was a post somewhere saying someone had used the cills off of a different van. But they couldnt remember what van.

 

[bikesforme]

Does any body know if any other pattern sill can be used, my front n/s sill has gone. It gone along the bottom the first 32 inches, thinking of buying a might welder and having a go my self if its easy enough to do. Because its gone along the bottom i don't see how you can weld it along the bottom flange unless its spot welded, and i thought sill repair panels had to be one continuous bead.
I am goblins smacked that u can not buy repair body panels for the mk1 vito , seeing how rusty they get. DId look for a mobile welder in notts area , only found one and his phone never connects.