[Z06] Rocker panel damage
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Greer South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '15
Rocker panel damage
We seriously damaged the passenger side rocker panel on a 2003 Z06 trying to load it on a trailer. The damage is all underneath the car. I really don't know a lot about these things. So my questions are... Is it the same thing as a side skirt? Does it come up on to the outside of the car anywhere? Can you buy a new rocker panel/side skirt or would we be better off taking it and having it fixed?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 286
From: Puyallup Washington
As I recall, the C5 rocker panels are no longer available from GM. Also, they are bonded on to the car and are a structural member of the car, are almost impossible to remove and are very difficult to install if you can get one. The bottom line is DO NOT DAMAGE the rocker panels.
Since you have already done so it sounds like you may need an experienced Corvette repair shop to correct the damage. If you think you can repair the damage yourself remember that you are not working with fiberglass but with SMC, or sheet molded composite. This requires a different resin than fiberglass.
After the car is repaired there are products you can buy to protect the rockers. On my lowered Z06 my rockers are 4 inches above the ground. They are protected by my long tube headers and cats, with the cats being 3 1/2 inches above the ground. I have banged them a few times.
Since you have already done so it sounds like you may need an experienced Corvette repair shop to correct the damage. If you think you can repair the damage yourself remember that you are not working with fiberglass but with SMC, or sheet molded composite. This requires a different resin than fiberglass.
After the car is repaired there are products you can buy to protect the rockers. On my lowered Z06 my rockers are 4 inches above the ground. They are protected by my long tube headers and cats, with the cats being 3 1/2 inches above the ground. I have banged them a few times.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 749
Likes: 13
From: SoCal CA
Don't know about the repair, but Elite Engineering has aluminum or composite frame rail protectors to prevent it from happening again.
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/c5-corvette/
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/c5-corvette/
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Greer South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '15
As I recall, the C5 rocker panels are no longer available from GM. Also, they are bonded on to the car and are a structural member of the car, are almost impossible to remove and are very difficult to install if you can get one. The bottom line is DO NOT DAMAGE the rocker panels.
Since you have already done so it sounds like you may need an experienced Corvette repair shop to correct the damage. If you think you can repair the damage yourself remember that you are not working with fiberglass but with SMC, or sheet molded composite. This requires a different resin than fiberglass.
After the car is repaired there are products you can buy to protect the rockers. On my lowered Z06 my rockers are 4 inches above the ground. They are protected by my long tube headers and cats, with the cats being 3 1/2 inches above the ground. I have banged them a few times.
Since you have already done so it sounds like you may need an experienced Corvette repair shop to correct the damage. If you think you can repair the damage yourself remember that you are not working with fiberglass but with SMC, or sheet molded composite. This requires a different resin than fiberglass.
After the car is repaired there are products you can buy to protect the rockers. On my lowered Z06 my rockers are 4 inches above the ground. They are protected by my long tube headers and cats, with the cats being 3 1/2 inches above the ground. I have banged them a few times.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Greer South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '15
Don't know about the repair, but Elite Engineering has aluminum or composite frame rail protectors to prevent it from happening again.
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/c5-corvette/
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/c5-corvette/
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Greer South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '15
