How do I fix this crack?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Wheaton Illinois
How do I fix this crack?
There is a crack where my front fender is bonded to the door post. It is cracked on both drivers and passengers sides but the passengers side is worse. There is a loose piece of glass about 3/8 by 2 1/2 inches that moves around in the crack on the passengers side. Everything else seems to be secure. How do I fix it and can it wait until I repaint next year?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/atta...47588311&stc=1
Thanks.
PS This is my first try at attaching a photo, I how I did it right.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/atta...47588311&stc=1
Thanks.
PS This is my first try at attaching a photo, I how I did it right.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,958
Likes: 0
From: Middletown Connecticut
Cruise-In IV Veteran
unfortunatley the only proper way to do it is with the fiberglass and resin along with a big C clamp and a paint stick..
you'd probably trash your paint on the edge
you'd probably trash your paint on the edge
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
I have the same problem on my passenger side. Water also leaks inside from that general area. I don't think I have a rust problem (still in denial). The previous owner had some 265/60/15s on the front and there is some body damage on that side from the tire grabbing the body so maybe that was the cause. Anyone willing to explain this repair step by step?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Leander Texas
That is a triangle shaped piece that is riveted to the bird cage just below the windshield. It is very possible that the rust demons have possessed your corvette. 
You may be able to use some bonding adhesive smeared in the gap. Does the door gap line up or is it uneven?
If it is uneven (more gap at the top) it might indicate previous damage to the front clip. How do the other gaps (hood to surround, headlights, etc.) line up? It may also be just improper bonds from the factory.
You can see in this pic the triangle piece just below the windshield that the surround is bonded to.
DR. Jay
You may be able to use some bonding adhesive smeared in the gap. Does the door gap line up or is it uneven?If it is uneven (more gap at the top) it might indicate previous damage to the front clip. How do the other gaps (hood to surround, headlights, etc.) line up? It may also be just improper bonds from the factory.
You can see in this pic the triangle piece just below the windshield that the surround is bonded to.
DR. Jay
Last edited by DR.Jay; Feb 8, 2006 at 10:55 PM. Reason: added pic
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: cincinnati oh
I agree with Dr Jay about the bonding adheasive. It could be an extreemely rust problem, but I doubt it. Check out the birdcage to see if it's still there and bond it back together. Chances are you can wait another year.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 207
From: Loveland, CO
I just used some Fusor 127 to bond on a door skin and underhood brace reinforcement, and was impressed with the ease of use. It comes with a mixing spout that is ideal for forcing into small spaces (like you appear to have). I also plan to use it to force adhesive into the seam where some of the rear inner fender liner has come loose from the fender itself.
You need a special glue gun to apply it, buy my paint store has been good enough to loan it to me when I buy some, about $40 for a 10 oz. tube.
You need a special glue gun to apply it, buy my paint store has been good enough to loan it to me when I buy some, about $40 for a 10 oz. tube.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Wheaton Illinois
The gaps on both doors look very consistant ( I would have said great before I saw Dr J's) The hood gap grows a little on the passengers side, it is very consistant in the front and widens about 3/32 towards the windshield.
I do think the car has had some body work done on the front passengers fender. The car has been repainted poorly and has some bubbles all over the car but they are much worse on the passengers fender. Also the air intake plendom debries screen is not attached on the rear side and there is no evidence that it ever was mounted making me think something was replaced or repaired. The headlight mechanism frame on the passengers side is cracked. It works and is adjusted all the way up but when closed it still sits about an 1/8 inch below the fender. If I had to guess why it cracked I would say a poor repair or it wasn't repaired after an accident.
I had the complete dash out this winter and I saw very little rust. Just a little near the vin. Where are other places I can see the bird cage with the car intact?
Thanks for the help.
I do think the car has had some body work done on the front passengers fender. The car has been repainted poorly and has some bubbles all over the car but they are much worse on the passengers fender. Also the air intake plendom debries screen is not attached on the rear side and there is no evidence that it ever was mounted making me think something was replaced or repaired. The headlight mechanism frame on the passengers side is cracked. It works and is adjusted all the way up but when closed it still sits about an 1/8 inch below the fender. If I had to guess why it cracked I would say a poor repair or it wasn't repaired after an accident.
I had the complete dash out this winter and I saw very little rust. Just a little near the vin. Where are other places I can see the bird cage with the car intact?
Thanks for the help.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Leander Texas
Originally Posted by rponfick
I just used some Fusor 127 to bond on a door skin and underhood brace reinforcement, and was impressed with the ease of use. It comes with a mixing spout that is ideal for forcing into small spaces (like you appear to have). I also plan to use it to force adhesive into the seam where some of the rear inner fender liner has come loose from the fender itself.
You need a special glue gun to apply it, buy my paint store has been good enough to loan it to me when I buy some, about $40 for a 10 oz. tube.
You need a special glue gun to apply it, buy my paint store has been good enough to loan it to me when I buy some, about $40 for a 10 oz. tube.
The fusor 127 works great. My supplyer gave me the gun when I bought 3 ten oz tubes for $126.00 I used it to bond any areas that wouldn't be exposed to paint, and I used Evercoat panel adhesive to bond areas that would be exposed.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Leander Texas
Originally Posted by c3_guy
The gaps on both doors look very consistant ( I would have said great before I saw Dr J's) The hood gap grows a little on the passengers side, it is very consistant in the front and widens about 3/32 towards the windshield.
I do think the car has had some body work done on the front passengers fender. The car has been repainted poorly and has some bubbles all over the car but they are much worse on the passengers fender. Also the air intake plendom debries screen is not attached on the rear side and there is no evidence that it ever was mounted making me think something was replaced or repaired. The headlight mechanism frame on the passengers side is cracked. It works and is adjusted all the way up but when closed it still sits about an 1/8 inch below the fender. If I had to guess why it cracked I would say a poor repair or it wasn't repaired after an accident.
I had the complete dash out this winter and I saw very little rust. Just a little near the vin. Where are other places I can see the bird cage with the car intact?
Thanks for the help.
I do think the car has had some body work done on the front passengers fender. The car has been repainted poorly and has some bubbles all over the car but they are much worse on the passengers fender. Also the air intake plendom debries screen is not attached on the rear side and there is no evidence that it ever was mounted making me think something was replaced or repaired. The headlight mechanism frame on the passengers side is cracked. It works and is adjusted all the way up but when closed it still sits about an 1/8 inch below the fender. If I had to guess why it cracked I would say a poor repair or it wasn't repaired after an accident.
I had the complete dash out this winter and I saw very little rust. Just a little near the vin. Where are other places I can see the bird cage with the car intact?
Thanks for the help.
If you are planing on having it repainted next year I might just wait, and have it fixed properly when you have the paint done.
Just my $.02
DR.Jay
I would also like this info.
