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I was in a minor accident in my car recently. I got some scuffs, but I think everything will buff out. Unfortunately, the impact seems to have broken the mounting point between the front fender and the rocker panel. This caused the fender to not align correctly with the door, and it rubs when opened. Insurance gave me a pretty fat cash settlement, so now I'm trying to fix it myself and pocket the rest. I found this kit at Eckler's, which I think might be intended to fix this issue, but I can't find any photos or info on exactly how these go on, or even if it's for the front part of the rocker or the rear. Anyone have any experience?
Corvette central also sells it. According to their description, you just bond it to the rocker using some sort of adhesive or rivets. The actual damage is on the bottom of the vehicle where no one will see it. I just need the mounting point so my fender won't interfere with the door.
If you look at this photo from Corvette Central, it appears it's intended to slot in behind the stock damaged portion of rocker panel, then you could just rivet it on there.
If yours is like mine, both the tab on the fender and the tab on the rocker have broken away. I've been looking for a repair as well, but was hoping someone had a version where fender removal wasn't step one...
If yours is like mine, both the tab on the fender and the tab on the rocker have broken away. I've been looking for a repair as well, but was hoping someone had a version where fender removal wasn't step one...
Luckily on mine, it's only the rocker that's busted. I already took my fender most of the way off when I took the vinyl wrap off this thing, so I'm not terribly worried about that. There's also a decent chance the scuffs won't buff out, and I'll need to get the fender removed and painted anyway. I went ahead and ordered the kit. I'll update with results. I'm thinking of doing an adhesive AND a few rivets for good measure. Any suggestions on adhesive?
I replaced the door that was damaged in the accident today, and realized while it was off that I had really good access to the broken rocker area. I picked up some 2 part epoxy, some rivets, and got it done. The fender is definitely better aligned now, and doesn't interfere with the door swing. I'd hoped you wouldn't be able to see the rivets through the gap, but they're pretty obvious. I'm hoping a little touch up paint will fix that. Overall, I think the kit costs too much for what you get, but it did the job.
Well, crap. Now it looks like I'll need to order a set myself.
Thanks! Those photos are much, much more indicative than Ecklers' photos were. One question, on the bottom, where the screw passes through the fender into the rocker, is that a hole for a clipnut?
No, it doesn't come drilled at all. It's really easy to drill through though. I just jacked up that corner, muscled the fender into alignment, noted where the hole should line up, and drilled. After that, just push the clip nut on and tighten. I don't know if the epoxy was really necessary since I popped 3 rivets into it, but I wanted the bond to be as strong as possible. I definitely don't think most adhesives would do the job alone.
Any more pics of the 'patch piece' in place? Curious how far it extends on the underside/bottom of the rocker panel. Looks like it could potentially be the fix I've been looking for because mine are damaged and broke away on both sides.
It only extends just far enough to attach the fender to the rocker. In my first picture, you can see how it goes just to the point where the rocker curves under the car, and the fender mounting hole is to the right.
Did you end up going with Corvette Central as source? Looks like about a $6 difference in shipping. Like many things Corvette supplier related, shipping for small, light things is ludicrously excessive.
I went with whatever option was cheaper, I think it was Corvette Central. I agree, shipping was pretty stupid for 2 ~6x1" curved strips of fiberglass that don't weigh anything. Oh well, at least my door isn't rubbing and popping against the fender anymore.
Rocker panel repair kit
