Rusted fender bolts

[locky]

locky
Samba Member


Joined: May 08, 2008
Posts: 186
Location: Nelson, British Columbia
 
Posted: Today 5:50 am    Post subject: Sheet metal
74 Thing. I'm getting into the sheet metal now. Rockers, front left and right firewalls, where rockers connect to. I also have to patch where the fenders mount to the quarters. My question is.. Should I weld a nut onthe backside of my patch to screw the fender screws into, or could I use metal screws and screw directly into the metal? I also need to get fenders and was wondering if anyone has any input on fibreglass vs stock. I am not concerned with stock I live in Canada and shipping would be cheaper for fibreglass fenders. Thanks

[Matt Wilson]

I would not used self-drilling sheet metal screws in lieu of replacing the nut/insert. These will simply invite more corrosion to the area as trapped dirt and moisture will find the bare metal causing cancer to your thing. I know it is more work, but what I have found to be helpful in that situation is to cut away a flap of metal in the affected area with a cut-off saw. bend the metal out 90 degrees (or enough to weld the nut on) and holding the nut in the hole with a bolt, tack the nut to the metal. After the nut is sufficiently welded (don't overheat or you'll distort the threads and you'll need to chase the threads with a tap) bend the flap back flush and weld it back up.

If the metal is totally corroded and there isn't anything to weld to, you may need to spend some time measuring where you want the fender to be located. Once you get your new fenders, temporarily mount them on the car, with a blob of bondo, duct tape, or whatever it takes to hold the fender on the car. Then see where all the new fenders' holes fall in relation to the threaded holes on the car. It may be necessary to move holes or threads...

[locky]

Hey, thanks Matt. That is good info. Every little bit helps. Guess I better order my new fenders.

[zeroman]

I saw they sell the welded nuts to replace rusted in rusted repairs.
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77 super convertible

[ilustr8tor]

Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 11:54 pm Post subject:

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I saw they sell the welded nuts to replace rusted in rusted repairs.
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77 super convertible


Where I am looking for those.
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I love this analog addition to my over digitzed life.