Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Bojan on 23 June 2016, 07:52:02

Title: spare wheel well delete
Post by: Bojan on 23 June 2016, 07:52:02: I'm going to remove the spare wheel well on my omega sedan.
It's quite rusty (I have poked out half of the the welds with a flat screwdriver -> that much rusty).

I don't carry spare wheel around (never had a spare wheel in any car). I believe in 'added lightness' aproach -> that's why I've started with a 1.5t barge ;D ;D

My plan is to take the well out (drill out all the remaining weld) and place a plate that would sit in level with boot floor. This way I would get a nice, level surface all over the boot. Wheel well is not a good shape to hold anything in it in organised manner.

Has anybody done something similar? Some pics would be nice to see. I have this idea in my head, but seeing some other ideas is always a good thing.

Also, I believe that well it self has no structural significance -> am I right?
Title: Re: spare wheel well delete
Post by: minifreek on 23 June 2016, 08:16:20: The wheelwell doesn't have any stuctural strength to it at all.... Mine is also full of holes/rusty.... but always passes its MoT annual test...

If you do remove the wheelwell, please could you document it....? I might do the same to mine too... although I do carry a spare with me, or I might just carry that tyre stuff you spray directly into the valve.....
Title: Re: spare wheel well delete
Post by: frostbite on 24 June 2016, 15:26:59: You could level it off and relocate the battery like mercedes and bmw or just use as storage
Title: Re: spare wheel well delete
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 24 June 2016, 15:37:29: Quote from: minifreek on 23 June 2016, 08:16:20
The wheelwell doesn't have any stuctural strength to it at all.... Mine is also full of holes/rusty.... but always passes its MoT annual test...

If you do remove the wheelwell, please could you document it....? I might do the same to mine too... although I do carry a spare with me, or I might just carry that tyre stuff you spray directly into the valve.....
Whilst not 'chassis' structural, its shape does add strength to the rear corner... there's a similar box section on the opposite side ;)
Title: Re: spare wheel well delete
Post by: VXL V6 on 24 June 2016, 15:41:55: Be good to remake it slighter wider to fit the larger width Irmscher wheels. :y
Title: Re: spare wheel well delete
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 24 June 2016, 16:07:34: Quote from: VXL V6 on 24 June 2016, 15:41:55
Be good to remake it slighter wider to fit the larger width Irmscher wheels. :y

Now that's a good idea. They were intended for 15" of course, never the Lotus Carlton-levels of girth that appeared late on in production.
Title: Re: spare wheel well delete
Post by: Bojan on 01 July 2016, 07:05:04: I've poked out the well.
Literally, poked out, with a flat blate screw driver.
I was going to drill out the point-welds, but the corrosion on the well side was so bad, that it could be all done by force. Only 5-6 welds were strong and 'healty.
Made a template from the cardboard, to get the needed shape.
Hopefully, I will make a blankin plate from steel today.
Title: Re: spare wheel well delete
Post by: terry paget on 04 July 2016, 08:00:32: Last year I scapped a 2.5 after the shock absorber turret rusted through. That was adjacent to the spare wheel well. I hope yours is sound.
Title: Re: spare wheel well delete
Post by: Bojan on 04 July 2016, 08:41:27: Luckily, no rust on the turrets.