Anyone replace rear quarter panel? Annoying story.

[jimmycakes401]

Well, like I haven't had enough set backs with this car. Yesterday, without warning my rear drivers side wheel flew off and almost landed in my passenger compartment. I was feeling really good about the car and I'm even driving it better. The next step was to work on some front suspension when I earned a little more money. Arrrgh...

Anyway, it's easier to show a picture of the damage rather than explain it. But I don't have a parts car and there doesn't seem to be any around. I can save up for these parts some day and have a body shop put them in. Has anyone taken care of this area on their own? I've welded a few pieces on the car, but this area would be pretty tricky.

[SoFlaFiat]

Sounds like you are lucky to be posting on the forum !!!
If you have welded on the car before, then pull that, cut if you have to and patch. You can probably get it looking reasonable and save up for a new piece down the road.

[jimmycakes401]

Well I don't drive too fast. It wasn't as scary as I would suspect. I just had to steer out of it. I do indeed have a welder. We'll see. It just sucked the wind right out of my sails.

[azruss]

replacing the rear qtr is a serious PITA. If it were me, I would repair what you have. the rocker is removable and easy to replace. the hardest part is where the flair is so munched. still, I think it is easier to repair or replace the small section than mess with the entire fender.

[jimmycakes401]

Thanks for the tips. Kerp them coming. My rockers weren't installed. Are fine. Just this back section. Damaged yhe bper too but I needed a new one anyway.

[Exit98]

Jim,

Why did the wheel come off?

Really, that's not supposed to happen.

[seabeelt]

Three things. First you are safe. Second the car is still drive able with minimum cosmetic damage. Third, most of that can probably be hammered out, or cut, pulled out and re-welded. Also the bottom fender piece is readily available on eBay and elsewhere as is the fender arch piece. I think the fender arch runs around $100 with shipping from some of our vendors. Not a big expense, but aggravating nonetheless. Drive the car, enjoy it for the summer and fix it in your garage over the winter. After all Christmas is coming and you now have a ready made list.
R/

[jimmycakes401]

LOL EXIT!

No idea. I assume that my bolt holes are stripped. I need to get in there and look. Right now I just need to stay away from the car. I'm a bit upset.

The wheel came loose a few weeks ago and I re tightened, torqued and double checked the torque after some riding like it says in the manual. It's the only wheel doing this, so it's something. ALSO, that shock seems stiffer if not ceased than the other. I'm thinking it could possibly be getting hammered.

So... like seabeelt said... top three things are good.

I'll be tackling suspension and other related issues before I worry about making this look pretty again. I'm not going to take it to any car shows any time soon... I was, but now I won't. That smash is just too much for me to explain to everyone. LOL. But I need to get that back wheel figured out quick. I don't think my caliper was damaged. The rotor is a bit banged up and I lost those little allignment thingies on the hub for the wheel. They sheered off...soooo... that was hard getting the wheel on after the incident.

[v6spider]

Should be able to straighten it once you remove the lower rear rocker panel. I've seen worse...I replaced wheel wells on both quarter panels on my spider with great results...just takes patience..in your case I would straighten it unless it is rusted out in that situation you best remove all if the rusty stuff and replace it..

Rob

[jimmycakes401]

Sadly its on the rusty side

[vandor]

Check that the rotor sits flat on the axle flange.

[v6spider]

Bummer about the rust... They do make repair panels for the rear quarter panel lower corner and of course the rear rocker...you need good wire feed welder that has argon/co2 mix gas shielding... The repair panel is tack welded into place then completely welded as a series of tacks...otherwise the panel will warp.
Rob