body panel seam alignment bad
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Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 222
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body panel seam alignment bad
I'm replacing my front pass side fender and the seam (on top of bonding strip) does not line up well. The panel is inward toward the engine by about 1/4 inch. It is an aftermarket panel. My question is, can I use the backing strip to force it into place to get the seam to match? Or, should I bond the strip in place without flexing the panel and fill the gap with Vette Panel Adhesive and then use fiber reinforced filler to create the outer contour I need? Not sure if I'm explaning well enough, the panel goes inward toward the motor more than the top surround in which it needs to mate with. The difference is about 1/4 inch. I'm reluctant to flex it into place and bond it knowing that the vibration of driving may cause it crack. Not sure how strong the Vette Panel Adhesive is. Any advise is much appreciated. Jeff
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 71
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From: Minnedosa MB
You really need pictures for this. Does the fender have a good fit with the door and the front bumper? So right now your having trouble with the hood gap is the fender too close, too far, too high, too low?
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 71
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From: Minnedosa MB
If I was doing what your doing right now. I would want the door gap to be perfect first and then the front bumper as close as possible then see how to hood fits. You can clamp this in place or use screws then shim to flex it slightly in spots where it needs them mark your shim placements and make alignment marks with masking tape in as many places as possble. Once you have it as close as you can, get it removed and use the adhesive and put your shims back in then clamp it all down. You should be prepaired to use filler and a grinder on this in spots, aftermarket panels get you close but not perfect.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 758
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From: Ville de la Baie Quebec. A winner is just a loser who tried again.
I'm not sure what your saying either, 
but before bonding I would not hesitate to releive any stress by cutting with a zip wheel in appropiate spots. These areas can easlly be glassed afterwards. I definatelly would try and line it up as good as possible.
but before bonding I would not hesitate to releive any stress by cutting with a zip wheel in appropiate spots. These areas can easlly be glassed afterwards. I definatelly would try and line it up as good as possible.
