F Panel Question

[richtersand]

Hi all, quick question for you... I am planning to send off most of my sheet metal to powder coat tomorrow, including the F panel. The manual calls to rivet the panels in place prior to beginning work on the front suspension. Reading ahead, I can’t tell if the panel is necessary to have in place before the suspension or if I can rivet the panels in place after I get them back after powder coat (after front suspension is in). Should I hold off on front suspension until after I get the F panels back?

Thanks in advance!

Matt

[wallace18]

You must install them before suspension.

[edwardb]

I agree easiest is to install before the front suspension. But it's also possible to install afterwards if you're careful about rivet placement. That's the issue. Using "normal" locations and spacing will put several of the rivets behind suspension pieces. Making them difficult/impossible to reach. This picture shows what I'm talking about. That middle horizontal row.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Front%20Suspension/.highres/IMG_3304_zpsokiiukmv.jpg?width=590&height=370&fit=bounds (https://app.photobucket.com/u/edwardb123/a/8e66151d-63b8-4ed5-bcfb-7f4c338bbf3c/p/20cd50c9-5cd0-4835-a07d-3bbd6f8935b1)

[Murd]

When I built the pros on here all recommended leaving it off until the very end. Watch where you drill holes so that you will be able to rivet them in with the suspension in place.
It gets in the way running brake lines and all kinds of other stuff. I held it in place with a couple clecos for a year and could take it on and off whenever I needed.

[JohnK]

I waited to send off all my sheetmetal in one batch to powder coat, which was long after I'd assembled the front and rear suspensions. The F panel can go in without difficulty, even with the suspension in place . There's one small section you won't be able to rivet, but I put a small strip of 3M VHB tape on it, and it's every bit as secure as if Id' riveted it.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=132239&d=1595431012

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=132238&d=1595431002

[richtersand]

Thanks everyone! Discussion and pictures are REALLY helpful!