Body Work
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,145
Likes: 477
From: NM
Body Work
Was just getting back in town from a 3,000 mile road trip and we decided to stop at a fast food place to take something home rather than trying to cook. Went throught the drive-thru, and when pulling away turned right too quickly and ran the rocker panel up on to the curb 
This was right at the door and front fender body line. Made some gouges in the SMC but the big concern is the screw that hold the bottom of the fender. At the bottom inside corner of the fender the is a screw that goes into a u-nut that is cliped to the inside edge of the rocker panel. The u-nut broke off with a small piece of the SMC. Also the hole for the screw in the bottom of the fender broke.
So, what am I looking at here? Is this a repair that can be DIY? Or is it off to the body shop? If body shop, anyone have an idea of what I can expect in $$$'s?
tom...
This was right at the door and front fender body line. Made some gouges in the SMC but the big concern is the screw that hold the bottom of the fender. At the bottom inside corner of the fender the is a screw that goes into a u-nut that is cliped to the inside edge of the rocker panel. The u-nut broke off with a small piece of the SMC. Also the hole for the screw in the bottom of the fender broke.So, what am I looking at here? Is this a repair that can be DIY? Or is it off to the body shop? If body shop, anyone have an idea of what I can expect in $$$'s?
tom...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Aguila AZ
This is a common failure and I have repaired this area many times. If the rocker panel is not damaged enough to see, I will usually install an aluminum sheet metal section behind the rocker to provide a mounting surface for the u-nut. You can bend the aluminum to conform with the back side of the rocker panel and pop rivet it in place. Keep the pop rivets in the recessed part of the rocker and far enough under that they cannot be seen. This is then used to replace the damaged area that secures the u-nut. Use .030 to .040 thick aluminum sheet stock. As to the fender damage, you can use epoxy and fiberglass on the back side to rebuild the retention hole. be sure to clean and sand the surface with 60 grit and lacquer thinner. If this explination is not clear, contact me via email and I will provide more detailed info. This fix works best if no paint repair is required. Good luck with your repair. BTW, I did the same thing at a Jack-in-the Box...
Shirl
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Shirl
SDRE
