Wheel arches

dabac · Post by **dabac** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 2:17 pm

Hi guys
I've recently finished a long overdue job; replacing my rusty rear wheel arches. In general I can say that if your wheel arches are beginning to rust you "need" to treat it quickly and aggressively. If you want to know more specifics about what I did let me know.

dragon · Post by **dragon** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 2:22 pm

I think we'd all benefit from the full details at one time or another in our lives - could you write it up in detail on here? Daniel will then preobably add it as an FAQ to the clubsite too.

Cheers!

G

levensnevel · Post by **levensnevel** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 4:05 pm

Dabac,

tell me more, tell me more ....
please

dabac · Post by **dabac** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 2:17 pm

In short:
I used spares from Escort, Mk III. They're wider than the ones for 440/460 and I needed that. By switching sides and rotating them a bit the ridge on those lines up well with the ridge below the door line of the 480.
The whole body panel area on the side behind the bumper was very badly rusted as well as the "floor" usually hidden by the trunk inner panels. I had to rebuild those from scratch.
Most scary bits was alignment and cutting the car open.
Most difficult bits was fit at lower front corner, and to weld it in place without warping the body panel.
Most time consuming bit was rebuilding the area behind the bumper.
Most annoying mistake was that the side brackets for the bumper shell ended up too far out, had to use some ugly tricks to get the bumper aligned.

I'm working on a longer, more detailed version. should I send it somewhere instead? It's at least two pages....

dragon · Post by **dragon** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 2:42 pm

You can send it to me if you like, and I will put it on my site. I'll also make sure Daniel gets it so it can go on the clubsite...

Website · Post by **coyote1980** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 3:47 pm

Yeah, I would be happy to post this story in the FAQ section! A lot of threads the past 5 years were about what arches could be used to replace the 480 ones, finally a clear answer!

Have you got any pics of the repair and donor vehicle?

chriskay · Post by **chriskay** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 3:56 pm

Just had mine done by a bodywork magician in a village near here. He made new wheel arches by hand, welded them in & did a magnificent respray job. He also sorted a bit of rust at the bottom of the driver's door, all for Â£500, which I thought very reasonable. (BTW, he also builds & flies light aircraft. He's promised me a trip in the one he's building at present).

volvofox · Post by **volvofox** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 10:43 pm

I undid the side panels on the inside of the boot at the sight of the first "daisy" and sprayed in clear tektiel for hollow spaces, with a special 5 hole nozzle on a half meter thin hose. (to stick into beams and so) this is a problem of rust from the inside out (how many years is that warranted ?) so prevent from the inside out.

I know by experiece this is very good stuf, as i used it 15 years ago on my other car, which recently problem free passed MOT on his 30 est bithday

This is a far better solution than to wait until its to late because welding on other stuf, will cause a rust problem from the inside, as you dammage the inside corrosion prevention layer.

This stuff is so good that you will find a hard time to find anyone willing to do for you, since most of the willing probably died of cancer. It prevents your lungs for corroding too, you you wil be a lot prettier after you die.

Luck
JPF