C5 rocker replacement?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 3
From: CLIFTON PARK NY
C5 rocker replacement?
Needing advice! Im thinking of having my current rocker panels that have the functional Z06 scoops replaced with the stock C5 rockers. Can anybody tell me how involved it would be for this change? Is it too involved in taking the doors,fenders off or is it not as involved as it seems? Any advice is appreciated,thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
The rocker panel is part of the lower door frame. The rocker is bonded to the vehicle frame with an adhesive. Heat must be applied to assist in breaking the bond, but the service manual warns that care must be taken to prevent the heat from un-bonding the floor panels from the frame rail.
Installation of a new panel requires mounting the panel using the original screws and then bonding the panel to the frame using US Chemical and Plastics 82007B System 2000 Structural Adhesive.
You should read the "Collision Repair" section of the service manual for the appropriate cautions and instructions on anti-corrosion primers, etc.
Basically this is a job for a body shop that knows the Corvette unless you are an experienced body worker.
Installation of a new panel requires mounting the panel using the original screws and then bonding the panel to the frame using US Chemical and Plastics 82007B System 2000 Structural Adhesive.
You should read the "Collision Repair" section of the service manual for the appropriate cautions and instructions on anti-corrosion primers, etc.
Basically this is a job for a body shop that knows the Corvette unless you are an experienced body worker.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 722
Likes: 8
From: N.Canton Ohio
It will cost over $1700 to replace both rocker panels.
You may want to consider having a shop cut backer panels from SMC [sheet molded compound] and bond them on the inside.
http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediaw...6664LfCOrrrrQ-
http://www.autobodysupply.net/category-s/79.htm
You may want to consider having a shop cut backer panels from SMC [sheet molded compound] and bond them on the inside.
http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediaw...6664LfCOrrrrQ-
http://www.autobodysupply.net/category-s/79.htm
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,036
Likes: 9,798
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
It will cost over $1700 to replace both rocker panels.
You may want to consider having a shop cut backer panels from SMC [sheet molded compound] and bond them on the inside.
http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediaw...6664LfCOrrrrQ-
http://www.autobodysupply.net/category-s/79.htm
You may want to consider having a shop cut backer panels from SMC [sheet molded compound] and bond them on the inside.
http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediaw...6664LfCOrrrrQ-
http://www.autobodysupply.net/category-s/79.htm
Bill
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 749
Likes: 2
From: West Yarmouth MA.
It will cost over $1700 to replace both rocker panels.
You may want to consider having a shop cut backer panels from SMC [sheet molded compound] and bond them on the inside.
http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediaw...6664LfCOrrrrQ-
http://www.autobodysupply.net/category-s/79.htm
You may want to consider having a shop cut backer panels from SMC [sheet molded compound] and bond them on the inside.
http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediaw...6664LfCOrrrrQ-
http://www.autobodysupply.net/category-s/79.htm
Easy fix that way and no one will ever know. Much less intrusive than tearing the car apart for rockers.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 1,115
From: Hereford AZ
I have replaced my rockers (as I ran off into the desert and large rocks broke up my 'rockers')
Replacing them is a lot of work for the average guy in the garage. You need to use a heat gun (sort of like a high speed hair dryer) and a scraper to remove the panels. However all doesn't come off, so then you use a wire brush (on a grinder) for the rest...In the garage this takes hours. Once removed the other person who replied is correct; you will need SMC adhesive and a special application gun (as it is a two part mixture) and have several large clamps to use once the panels are in place.
I wonder why you would want to remove the Z06 rocker with ducts if the work was done properly; I replaced mine with Z06 rockers and it looks factory.
Replacing them is a lot of work for the average guy in the garage. You need to use a heat gun (sort of like a high speed hair dryer) and a scraper to remove the panels. However all doesn't come off, so then you use a wire brush (on a grinder) for the rest...In the garage this takes hours. Once removed the other person who replied is correct; you will need SMC adhesive and a special application gun (as it is a two part mixture) and have several large clamps to use once the panels are in place.
I wonder why you would want to remove the Z06 rocker with ducts if the work was done properly; I replaced mine with Z06 rockers and it looks factory.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 3
From: CLIFTON PARK NY
I have replaced my rockers (as I ran off into the desert and large rocks broke up my 'rockers')
Replacing them is a lot of work for the average guy in the garage. You need to use a heat gun (sort of like a high speed hair dryer) and a scraper to remove the panels. However all doesn't come off, so then you use a wire brush (on a grinder) for the rest...In the garage this takes hours. Once removed the other person who replied is correct; you will need SMC adhesive and a special application gun (as it is a two part mixture) and have several large clamps to use once the panels are in place.
I wonder why you would want to remove the Z06 rocker with ducts if the work was done properly; I replaced mine with Z06 rockers and it looks factory.
Replacing them is a lot of work for the average guy in the garage. You need to use a heat gun (sort of like a high speed hair dryer) and a scraper to remove the panels. However all doesn't come off, so then you use a wire brush (on a grinder) for the rest...In the garage this takes hours. Once removed the other person who replied is correct; you will need SMC adhesive and a special application gun (as it is a two part mixture) and have several large clamps to use once the panels are in place.
I wonder why you would want to remove the Z06 rocker with ducts if the work was done properly; I replaced mine with Z06 rockers and it looks factory.
I was thinking of doing something like the pic below. You don't have to remove the entire rocker, just the rear most part, then mold it in. Still not the stock look though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 1,115
From: Hereford AZ
This is a good look, but from my experience (having replaced both stock rockers in my garage) this is still alot of work. Un-bonding with a special heat gun takes awhile and you will still have to remove the old residue with a wire wheel on a grinder. Then. of course, you will use adhesive to install the new partial rocker. You will also need some good clamps to hold it in place.
