Any diy threads on replacing a rear corner ?

[Dkwautounion]

I have a badly dented rear corner that needs to be replaced. I've searched for weeks on the bay and split forums and can't find anything. Does anyone have some pictures or tips to help me?

[KentABQ]

I'm listening for the answer too. But mine also involves replacing the battery tray.
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1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
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[lil-jinx]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6284172#6284172
There is some very good info here,lots of tips throughout the thread.
The link below leads to my rust repair.
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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=668799
1974 Bay Westfalia. she likes to be called Ethel.
1968 Dune Buggy
1974 parts bus
A smart man learns from his mistakes,a very smart man learns from other's mistakes.

[Dkwautounion]

Thanks. I'm really looking to replace the entire corner from at least the belt line down . From the seam at the side panel to the engine compartment .

[Abscate]

This is a bit like asking for a DIY for a heart valve procedure. There is a whole skill set to metalwork, welding, and bodywork that doesn't go into text well
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[kevin77westy]

Yep - its the sort of question that if you have to ask then its probably out of your DIY zone. I had mine done many years back. I too thought I needed all new metal on that corner and most body shops wanted to do just what you mention - all the way from the seam to the engine bay below the beltline because they sucked and did not know how to work metal. Luckily I found an old school body guy that was able to pull that corner out and massage it back into shape with very, very little filler. I saw his work before paint and it was absolutely incredible what he was able to do without cutting and welding. Point is - don't assume you know what needs to be done to fix this just yet. Most would keep as much old metal as possible. Pics of said corner would help folks at least know what you are looking at.

[Dkwautounion]

[Abscate]

It's the best forum on the Internet for parts sourcing, understanding function, compatibility and such.

We assume a low skill level here as many are beginners.

Welding skills are half of the equation, working the shapes if the complex back corner is the other half.

I've seen several build threads on this but it is a tough topic to search, agreed.
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[scrivyscriv]

From the short time i have been a frequenter of the bay forums i can’t say I’ve seen anyone replace the full corner. Typically the panel runs a few hundred if available, the ones I’ve seen advertised are said to be genuine VW. You might try searching the splittie forum. They do a lot more down and dirty metalwork on a regular basis.

I don’t want to spend your money but if you replace that entire corner panel you’ll save yourself a lot of hood time. It is spotted in, and may possibly have some brazing up top.

Edit, sorry, I see you've already been looking on the split forum.
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[Busstom]

[lil-jinx]

there are a few pictures here that that may help.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8410611#8410611e
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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620186
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=668799
1974 Bay Westfalia. she likes to be called Ethel.
1968 Dune Buggy
1974 parts bus
A smart man learns from his mistakes,a very smart man learns from other's mistakes.

[Dkwautounion]

How bad is it ? What Do you guys recommend?

[Busstom]

Well, for my two cents (which is about what it's worth): you don't really need a new corner, but it needs to go on a frame straightener, and be pulled back to factory specs. Even if you replace the corner, it looks like the damage is beyond just the outer corner sheet.

It may never be "right" without professional help, even though the cost will be higher than a DIY job on it. But the sheet metal actually looks salvageable.

Again, just my $0.02.

[Busstom]

Deleted (I linked a corner clip, but wrong year...your apron is removable).

[TomWesty]

I don't think I've seen a reproduction Early bay full corner. The opinions of Skills or Bulliklinik would be helpful on this one. What year is it? '70, '71?
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[Tbob]

In the Hot VW's special called "All about VW Type 2's" from 2015, there was an article about Charlie Hamill(a So Cal Split Icon) replacing a corner on a 1955 Split. This special is mostly comprised of reprints of articles that appeared in the monthly Hot VW's, so it may have appeared somewhat earlier in the regular magazine. Although it's not a Bay Window, some wisdom may be gleaned from this.
But I have to agree, a true bodyman can work wonders. Seeking and finding one will be an adventure, but you are in the right part of the country to find one. Ask your true hot rod buddies, to try to find the guy to do your work. My 69 was hit about as bad in the back as the blue van, but an extreamly talented bodyman fixed it, and you literally cannot tell, both inside and outside. That was 30 years ago, in Oxnard, Ca. and it still looks great, to this day. Unfortunately, I don't have his name, if he is even alive still. Good Luck!
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1973 Westfalia, owned since 1983
1980 Westfalia, watercooled conversion
1985 Westfalia, stock!
1986 Westfakia, Audi I-4 conversion
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[Dkwautounion]

Well I decided I'm a better welder then body man so I cut out the worst part of the Dent and some of the tray for a start. I'm thinking start small (ish) and see what I can salvage and can always go bigger if I have too. I'm a pipe welder by trade so my skill is not exactly sheet metal but I have a decent understanding of what makes a good sold weld. I'm thinking I buy the red metal bumping book and try and fix what I got and then weld in a patch and tray . Let me know if you guys think I should do otherwise.

[Dkwautounion]

[Dkwautounion]

Took more of the corner. Drilled all the spot weld . Tried my best not to go all the way through .

If anyone knows a mobile body that can work the dent on the side panel let me know.

[Manfred58sc]

I would look closely at the upper part of the "D" pillar, it looks twisted in the picture. Maybe a porta-power could get some of the wheel well distortion back in place. Looks fairly rust free, that helps! Has the package shelf bent from the hit? The wheel well, shelf, and quarter all tie in together in the area of the hit. I would do some relief cuts before attempting any straightening.
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