Checking the Birdcage
Thread Starter
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,316
Likes: 359
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Checking the Birdcage
Hi, I'm sure this has been posted before, but can anyone give me a quick lesson in inspecting the birdcage on a complete, all - together car? Also, the car is not mine, so I don't wat to be too intrusive. Any advice is appreciated. Stay safe, John
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Check behind the front kick panels. Some dis-assembly of trim pieces is necessary. aside from from 'flake' which I didnt clean out before snapping the pic this would be considered good. There are bird cages in which this entire area is rusted/rotted to the point the body mount bolt is doing nothing.
This is behind the rear wheel well inspection plate. Again, as you can see, this is good.
Also, thoughly check the winshields lower corners. A bad birdcage sticks out like a sore thumb. If you have any doubhts snap some pics and post them here.
This is behind the rear wheel well inspection plate. Again, as you can see, this is good.
Also, thoughly check the winshields lower corners. A bad birdcage sticks out like a sore thumb. If you have any doubhts snap some pics and post them here.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,200
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Why don't you search for some threads about birdcage repairs? That will give you an idea of where they usually rust and where to look. I always start by looking through the windshield from the outside at the windshield upper and lower corners. I also try to get a look in the wiper well. Does this car have a frame? Often birdcage rust and serious frame rust go hand in hand.
Regards,
Alan
PS: Getting 1 of the kick panels off to get a look at the hinge pillar is really needed, but not always allowed. I wouldn't buy a car with out seeing the pillars, and neither will you once you see the pictures in the birdcage repair threads. I think a car with a bad cage is worse than one with a serious hit.
Regards,
Alan
PS: Getting 1 of the kick panels off to get a look at the hinge pillar is really needed, but not always allowed. I wouldn't buy a car with out seeing the pillars, and neither will you once you see the pictures in the birdcage repair threads. I think a car with a bad cage is worse than one with a serious hit.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,102
Likes: 1
From: Forsyth Illinois
John..alot of people may not be willing to let you remove a bunch of stuff,but you can see around the windshield area,and you can look between the rocker covers,and the frame side to see the bottom of the rockers,and the #3 mounts,if you can get it up on a jack,or ramps.You can also,go about it...if the owner isn't willing to let you pull the kicks,and the inspection plate for #3,then he doesn't want you to spend your money w/him......Found another one?I got your email..THANK YOU,and will get you the info.
Call Steve?
Call Steve?
Thread Starter
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,316
Likes: 359
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Check behind the front kick panels. Some dis-assembly of trim pieces is necessary. aside from from 'flake' which I didnt clean out before snapping the pic this would be considered good. There are bird cages in which this entire area is rusted/rotted to the point the body mount bolt is doing nothing.
This is behind the rear wheel well inspection plate. Again, as you can see, this is good.
Also, thoughly check the winshields lower corners. A bad birdcage sticks out like a sore thumb. If you have any doubhts snap some pics and post them here.
This is behind the rear wheel well inspection plate. Again, as you can see, this is good.
Also, thoughly check the winshields lower corners. A bad birdcage sticks out like a sore thumb. If you have any doubhts snap some pics and post them here.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
yep. pull the kick panels, there's one screw way in the back of the panel near the fire wall and then the covers in the front face of the wheel wells, wheels should come off. Here's a couple of shots of mine to compare with the others, mine would also be considered "good", the rust is all surface, Except for the LR, it's condition is questionable.
Edit: also take a look along the top edge of the windshield frame through the windshield, and down both sides, this is a high rust area too. also you can with 7 screws, 3 on top, two on each side, pull the pass side map pad carrier (whole face) and look at the underside of the front of the bird cage, it pulls right out, just a flasher cliped to it. And if you have a dig camera, you can put it into to front kick panel holes and take a pic up her skirt, to see the full condition of the metal.
RF
LF
RR
LR
Edit: also take a look along the top edge of the windshield frame through the windshield, and down both sides, this is a high rust area too. also you can with 7 screws, 3 on top, two on each side, pull the pass side map pad carrier (whole face) and look at the underside of the front of the bird cage, it pulls right out, just a flasher cliped to it. And if you have a dig camera, you can put it into to front kick panel holes and take a pic up her skirt, to see the full condition of the metal.
RF
LF
RR
LR
Last edited by RunningMan373; Dec 1, 2007 at 04:26 AM.
