front wheel arch

[Alpine]

I've removed the front wheel arch liners today so I can repair the bottoms of the front wings. The bottoms of the wings are quite rusty and a patch repair might be difficult.

I have seen somewhere (although I can't remember where) that you can buy whole new bottom sections which can be welded in place.

Does anyone know where I can get them from and are they likely to look ok ?

 

[944cabby]

These have wing repair panels www.porscha.co.uk

 

[sawood12]

Since you've gone to all the trouble of removing your wings wouldn't it be much easier, faster and cheaper to buy 2nd hand wings and simply refit? You could also paint the insides of the wings with a zinc paint to give it an extra layer of a corrosion protective coating. I realise that sourcing a decent pair might be tricky but it would save all the faffing around of buying wing bottoms, accurately cutting off the bottoms of your original wings and accurately aligning and welding on the new wing bottoms. The only point/advantage of a patch repair is that it saves you having to remove the wing in the first place. Both cases would necessitate the respray of the wing.

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: sawood12

wouldn't it be much easier, faster and cheaper to buy 2nd hand wings and simply refit?

When I was looking for a new wing a couple of years ago all the breakers said that ALL of their S/H wings already had corrosion round the bottom and I'd be really lucky to find a decent one. I tried for a while and they were right, so I bought a new wing [8|]

 

[sawood12]

Oh, yes I admit it all depends upon being able to find decent 2nd hand wings which is the potential downfall of this option. Its just when I was doing the rounds of all the bodyshops getting quotes and consultations about my passenger wing I asked would it be easier to just replace the wing rather than carry out a patch repair and they all said that in terms of labour there was very little in it but with the wing replacement option you would have the added expense of the wing on top. Obviously since Phil has already removed his wings then he may as well replace them as if he was lucky enough to source a couple of decent wings it would be quite a cheap option without all the faffing of cutting and welding.

 

[Alpine]

Thanks for the advice.

Have only removed the wing liners though, not the wings. I thought it would be better when doing the repair to get to the back of the wing, hence I removed the liners

I have tried to get a second hand wing but I too have found that they are all rusty at the bottom or damaged elsewhere.

I am just anxious to avoid having to get new wing as they are so expensive

 

[Fen]

There has been a pair of white wings at Husborne the last 2 times - sorry I don't know who has them, but I don't think they were selling. I thought they were fibreglass at first because of the rough but white finish on the insides, but apparently they are steel so it must just be rustproofing.It's only 4 weeks until the next one if you wanted to try to snag them. Personally I would fix the old one though - if the section welds in below the top of the stonechip paint you can easily lose the join and alignment won't be too bad because there (should) be a bracket on the new section to attach to the bottom of the wheel arch. If you remove the wings you'll never get the sealant along the top edge join to look factory and a sharp-eyed viewer will be able to tell it's been off.

 

[Hilux]

if the section welds in below the top of the stonechip paint you can easily lose the join and alignment won't be too bad because there (should) be a bracket on the new section to attach to the bottom of the wheel arch. If you remove the wings you'll never get the sealant along the top edge join to look factory and a sharp-eyed viewer will be able to tell it's been off.

I have to agree. Cutting and shutting a panel isnt difficult. Welding it so as not to impart distortion into the panel is. If its under the stonechip paint it doesnt need to be a perfick join. All you need is the trailing edge and leading edges to align.

For welding panels use these

 

[Alpine]

www.porscha.co.uk

Thanks Hilux - just so I'm clear, are you suggesting that the new insert panels which I can buy from the above website and better than welding pieces in?

 

[John Sims]

I have an issue with welding as it always seems to encourage rust withing a couple of years.

It would be a shame to go to all that trouble only to have to do it all over again in 2008.

Get new wings, and do the job properly.

 

[Hilux]

Hi Phil

I`m not saying they are any good, it's only in the fitting that you find out. However, having restored old cars the pattern parts are just that, a pattern. In my experience you have to fettle them to fit.

My statement was probably a bit brief but what I meant was that if its a small localise patch withing the anti chip area I would get it repaired (personal opinion only.

I would recommend that you replace all the wing for a perfick job BUT its whether you want the expense and cost. If you are happy with the car otherwise I`d say get a repair done and save for ALL the possible mechanic jobs and body jobs that may be required in the future and/or a decent spray job.

Good luck with whatever you choose.