LEFT
HAND REAR WHEELARCH REPAIR
Below,
is the first impressions of the extent of the corrosion, having chipped
off all the bubbled filler and paint. It is noticed at this point that
a lower sill joint panel has been welded in in the past. This is rotten
and will be removed.
The joint
between the rear wing and the boot floor was particularly rusty. There
is a triple skin joint between the boot floor, inner rear wing and outer
rear wing. This was very badly rusted.
Having
assesed the extent of the corrosion, the arch is cut back to good metal.
The inner arches will also require repair, but are not as bad as could
have been expected. The outer sill is almost completely sound as well.
Here
is a view taken from inside the boot. The grey areas are garage floor showing
through the holes! These holes do not too big, but much more metal will
have to be cut away in order to make an effective repair. HT leads are
of no significance. They have been there since I have had the car!
This
is what is left once sound metal has been reached. This is an extremely
rust-prone point on the Stag. Check yours!
Two home-made
repair panels are required to achieve an acceptable solution here. This
area is import structurally, so it must be strong. Instead of the spot
welded seams, I opted for a boot floor repair patch seam welded to both
the boot floor and the outer wing. The inner wing was seam welded to this
panel. The vertical repair panel is welded to the inner arch.
Having
completed the boot floor repairs, the rear-arch repair panel is tacked
into place. The advantage with these panels is that they are large, and
can be cut to accomodate just the rusty areas of your car. Most of the
panel in my car's case! It is important to tack these panels every two
inches or so, and then check alignment. After that, the whole panel can
be seam welded in.
Also notable
the suspension upgrades that the previous owner had made. Poly bushes are
in place throughout the rear also.
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