TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:42 am

I have about half of the fender bolt clips missing up front. A few in the rear. I can't get to the ones in the rear like I can the front ones. The clip itself is missing and the hole they were in - is all bend to hell.. some ripped larger.

What is the best way to go about fixing those areas?

I am not doing a restore - was thinking of just repairing the area flat.. and welding bolts to the insides... and calling it done...

Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:08 pm

A few ways to do it but most importantly do it so those are not exposed to the elements and let rust creep into your front and rear quarters. Water has a way of getting thrown into the missing bolt holes and seeping behind the nut. I know you are in Az but for others water is an issue.

I had a few and I cut out the rot, cut a rectangular piece of metal that I also drilled for the replacement nut, welded the replacement nut to my metal repair piece, and then welded the piece into the repair area. Grind it down and touch it up. I didn't really like the after market nuts because they are different from the originals but they worked fine.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:00 am

You can cut similar areas of the metal from any year donor beetle or super... even later fat chick ones in the bone yard. Then cut and weld them in. It's worth the time and effort to do that right. I hate hack job repairs I have run across when it comes to bolting fenders on. :x :P