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How hard is it to replace the rocker panels?

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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 08:22 AM
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Default How hard is it to replace the rocker panels?

While washing my Z Sunday, I noticed the passenger side rocker panel has a nice gash in it and is cracked from the gash under the car up into the brake duct. I think I remember hearing that it's a major PITA to replace these. Anyone done it?
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 08:27 AM
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i think since they're glued on that it is a pain.
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 08:29 AM
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Not an easy job at all. If you can fix the current one in place that will the your best bet. Also part of the problem is finding a new one as they have become very hard to find and if you can find them they are expensive.
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 09:03 AM
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You can get the rockers repaired. I've had mine fixed twice.
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 09:51 AM
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Yes, they are glued on and it is almost impossible to get them off without destroying them. If you find a good body shop, see if they can just repair the ones that are already there. A lot less hassle that way.
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Old Apr 20, 2011 | 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
Yes, they are glued on and it is almost impossible to get them off without destroying them. If you find a good body shop, see if they can just repair the ones that are already there. A lot less hassle that way.
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Old Apr 20, 2011 | 04:34 PM
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good luck finding replacements.
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Old Apr 20, 2011 | 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by imavettegirl
good luck finding replacements.
In what way does that help the OP? Do you ever post anything constructive? Stay on the porch...
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Old Apr 20, 2011 | 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by TorchRedRocket
In what way does that help the OP? Do you ever post anything constructive? Stay on the porch...
I will never just stay on the porch...but I will say... if you don't know what you are talking about its best to keep your mouth shut... Rocker panels for C5's have not been in stock for many many many months. Its possible they are no longer in production at all.... so you see my Newbie member...its best to listen a lot and open your mouth only when you think it can handle your foot. I will also reiterate.. Good luck finding replacements.
It is best to fix your existing rockers. BTW the cost to remove the rockers is 3 times the cost of the panels themselves ( if you could find them.)
With all My Love
Bill aka ET
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Old Apr 20, 2011 | 07:12 PM
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Originally Posted by imavettegirl
good luck finding replacements.
Yep......Plan A.....repair. Good luck
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Old Apr 20, 2011 | 07:27 PM
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Default Rocker panels repair.

Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
I will never just stay on the porch...but I will say... if you don't know what you are talking about its best to keep your mouth shut... Rocker panels for C5's have not been in stock for many many many months. Its possible they are no longer in production at all.... so you see my Newbie member...its best to listen a lot and open your mouth only when you think it can handle your foot. I will also reiterate.. Good luck finding replacements.
It is best to fix your existing rockers. BTW the cost to remove the rockers is 3 times the cost of the panels themselves ( if you could find them.)
With all My Love
Bill aka ET
I had a very minor accident in my 2003, had to replace the passengers door and the rocker panel had a 0.5x0.2 gash in it. Tiny little thing. Damn near couldn't see the cut unless it was looked for. I had County Corvette Inc. do the repairs. The shop guru and man of all seasons Jim S. has been the business for so many years said "look, it 's small, we're just gonna fix it and you'll never know it was ever hit." and he said it for 2 reasons, 1. getting the rocker panels off is a project equal to reinventing the wheel and 2. once you get it off, and I'm not saying we can't, but finding and putting it back on so that it matches everything else is akin to number 1. And that's what we did and to this day, you'd never know the panel was ever hurt.

So if I were you, I'd find a good shop who know it's way around a C5 and tell to just fix it. Why make life any harder then it needs to be.
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Old Apr 20, 2011 | 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
I will never just stay on the porch...but I will say... if you don't know what you are talking about its best to keep your mouth shut... Rocker panels for C5's have not been in stock for many many many months. Its possible they are no longer in production at all.... so you see my Newbie member...its best to listen a lot and open your mouth only when you think it can handle your foot. I will also reiterate.. Good luck finding replacements.
It is best to fix your existing rockers. BTW the cost to remove the rockers is 3 times the cost of the panels themselves ( if you could find them.)
With all My Love
Bill aka ET
Congratulations, you are 50 years older than me and know more about cars and C5 parts availability than I do. Maybe my reading comprehension is not as advanced as yours either, but the way I understood the original question was that the OP was asking how difficult and involved the labor is concerning removing and replacing the rockers themselves. Show me where he asked, "where can I find them and are they still produced???"

I was getting more at the underlying tone in all of her posts...

Sorry for getting the thread sidetracked.
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Old Apr 20, 2011 | 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by TorchRedRocket
Congratulations, you are 50 years older than me and know more about cars and C5 parts availability than I do. Maybe my reading comprehension is not as advanced as yours either, but the way I understood the original question was that the OP was asking how difficult and involved the labor is concerning removing and replacing the rockers themselves. Show me where he asked, "where can I find them and are they still produced???"

I was getting more at the underlying tone in all of her posts...

Sorry for getting the thread sidetracked.
You flamed someone for trying to give somone constructive thought on a plan to purchase new rockers. The inference in her statement was " good Luck trying to find them " meaning.... not to consider buying new ones as an option because they are impossible to find. . Just suppose the OP of this thread decided to remove, grind , chip away at the existing rockers to the point of complete destruction with the idea of saving some money, only to find that his plan to replace them with new ones could not be done. You just cant get a set off a wreck.... How do you think a repair could be achieved without a decent substraight... 10 gallons of bondo won't work. This would be a nightmare at best. The OP now know that the best advice here is to repair what he already has, and not even consider trying to buy new rockers.
Again with love and sensitivity
Bill aka ET.
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