crushed my rocker panel last night... options?
07-03-2010, 11:55 AM
#1
Race Car
Thread Starter
crushed my rocker panel last night... options?
I was leaving a car show last night in the 951. I was parked next to a curb and when I left, I didn't pull up far enough and dented the pass. side rocker panel. i will post a picture soon. I need opinions on what to do. I need to repair it myself as I don't have money to take it to a body shop. Either try to pull the huge dent, weld in a new rocker panel, or buy a clean shell with good paint.
07-03-2010, 12:20 PM
#4
Nordschleife Master
Easiest fix is probably to weld in a replacement piece.. DC auto lists em for $100... can take care of the rust behind the door at the same time, then have the repair areas sprayed to match the car, or do a full respray at the same time..
Will NOT be quick, but if you take your time, and make sure it is how you want it.. it CAN be made to look as if the damage was never done...
alternatively, you could get away with just cutting out the damaged area, and welding in a patch (from a donor rocker panel)... IIRC that area is non structural, so no worries on using a patch.... if you cut the damage out to the hard crease below the door, it will make blending the weld, and cutting the patch to match pretty easy!
Will NOT be quick, but if you take your time, and make sure it is how you want it.. it CAN be made to look as if the damage was never done...
alternatively, you could get away with just cutting out the damaged area, and welding in a patch (from a donor rocker panel)... IIRC that area is non structural, so no worries on using a patch.... if you cut the damage out to the hard crease below the door, it will make blending the weld, and cutting the patch to match pretty easy!
07-03-2010, 12:36 PM
#5
Race Car
Thread Starter
Easiest fix is probably to weld in a replacement piece.. DC auto lists em for $100... can take care of the rust behind the door at the same time, then have the repair areas sprayed to match the car, or do a full respray at the same time..
Will NOT be quick, but if you take your time, and make sure it is how you want it.. it CAN be made to look as if the damage was never done...
alternatively, you could get away with just cutting out the damaged area, and welding in a patch (from a donor rocker panel)... IIRC that area is non structural, so no worries on using a patch.... if you cut the damage out to the hard crease below the door, it will make blending the weld, and cutting the patch to match pretty easy!
Will NOT be quick, but if you take your time, and make sure it is how you want it.. it CAN be made to look as if the damage was never done...
alternatively, you could get away with just cutting out the damaged area, and welding in a patch (from a donor rocker panel)... IIRC that area is non structural, so no worries on using a patch.... if you cut the damage out to the hard crease below the door, it will make blending the weld, and cutting the patch to match pretty easy!
$524 shipped.
07-03-2010, 12:48 PM
#6
Nordschleife Master
**** the rocker alone lists for $100...
I would say order it (if you can dispose of an entire shell..) but don't get surprised if the order is canceled!
07-03-2010, 03:23 PM
#7
Race Car
Thread Starter
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07-03-2010, 04:44 PM
#10
Bannana Shine
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Wait, what? They ship entire 951 body shells for only $24????? Impossible.
Also...am I understanding you correctly, you're considering transferring your entire interior, drivetrain, suspension, electrical system, etc etc into a new shell, all over a rocker panel dent? I'm pretty sure all that needs is a hammer, elbow grease, and at LEAST two good beers. Don't skimp on that last part.
Also...am I understanding you correctly, you're considering transferring your entire interior, drivetrain, suspension, electrical system, etc etc into a new shell, all over a rocker panel dent? I'm pretty sure all that needs is a hammer, elbow grease, and at LEAST two good beers. Don't skimp on that last part.
07-03-2010, 04:51 PM
#11
Race Car
Thread Starter
Wait, what? They ship entire 951 body shells for only $24????? Impossible.
Also...am I understanding you correctly, you're considering transferring your entire interior, drivetrain, suspension, electrical system, etc etc into a new shell, all over a rocker panel dent? I'm pretty sure all that needs is a hammer, elbow grease, and at LEAST two good beers. Don't skimp on that last part.
Also...am I understanding you correctly, you're considering transferring your entire interior, drivetrain, suspension, electrical system, etc etc into a new shell, all over a rocker panel dent? I'm pretty sure all that needs is a hammer, elbow grease, and at LEAST two good beers. Don't skimp on that last part.
07-04-2010, 03:48 AM
#15
Three Wheelin'
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Anyway you look at it you are going to have to remove the ground effect side skirt in order to repair the rocker box. You can weld on some screws and slide hammer most of the dent out. Do the same at the bottom of the door to pull it down level. Buy a length of angle iron to make sure you get the bottom level with the front of the door and just back of the door.When you go to weld along the bottom just tac weld in spots and come back and fill in with short weld beads so as not to warp the area. A little grinder work to smooth out the welded area. You are going to have to use some mud as filler to even the area out, but not too much. Really not that big a job, just take your time and do it right. I think you can rent a small flux wire MIG Welder and helmet.
Cheers,
Larry
Cheers,
Larry