Quote:
Originally Posted by Zacharias
Actually I would be surprised if the outer rocker panels were considered as structural on a w115 or w123.
As far as I know, on most cars they are not. For example, rockers are the one area where many bodyshops will still fabricate repair sections as they can use thin metal stock to do so.
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I'm 90% sure the same thickness steel is used on the floor pan and the sills / rockers / longerons (whatever you want to call them!) on a W123. I think the roof is also the same thickness. These flimsy bits of steel are made stiff by pressing funny shapes in them, punching holes in them with a lipped edge, bending them into awkward positions and tacking them together.
So far I've identified slightly thicker steel plates on the front of the W123 down the side of the car behind the front wings / fenders just below those horrible rot prone bonnet / hood spring pockets. The rest of the body structure from the fire wall back seems to me to be of the same gauge (thickness) steel. (Even the long beam that the differential is bolted on - but I'll check that)
Only at the front can I find real thick "reinforced" bits such as the two beams that hold on the lower cross member for the engine mounts, and the two little out rigger bits that lots of people recommend as lifting points instead of the more flimsy looking jacking holes in the rockers... oh yes and some almost after thought add-ons for the gear box mounting points!
My point being? Compared to a 1950s ladder chassis it all looks like it will bend by the time it reaches the first corner!