General replace rear metal inner wheel arch

[got one]

I need to replace the N/S rear inner wheel arch and was wondering if I cut out the rusty one would a plastic one from the front fit if it were to be cut to shape ?
Has anyone done a replacement inner wheel arch ? I have been to the local car body shop and they looked through their books but couldn't find a replacement..
Welding the old one is impossible as it has almost gone and I'm not looking forward to fashioning a new one in metal as the welding will be a night mare..
I also need to spend time welding the sills so if I could save some time with the wheel arch liner I would give it a go....
What do you think ?

 

[darashen]

I would expect the level of corrosion you are describing to be an mot fail as it would be within the prescribed area of the rear seatbelt mounts. I would also be concerned about the structural integrity of the shell if the rust is near the rear of the sill.

 

[oscar52]

Rotten wheel arches and rotten sills.....


Sounds like your car is ready for one place only and join all his fiat friends.....

 

[flisko]

Rotten wheel arches and rotten sills.....


Sounds like your car is ready for one place only and join all his fiat friends.....

haha

 

[got one]

I know it's an MOT fail, not worth scrapping as £14 per ton will get me about £12...
I am just playing with my welder and using the car to practice on as welding costs little to do..
the sils and floor also need welding.
The question is about replacing the rear inner arch with a plastic one, I think it is possible it's just a case of finding an appropriate doner panel. Has anyone attempted such a thing ??

 

[PuntoHowTo]

I know it's an MOT fail, not worth scrapping as £14 per ton will get me about £12...
I am just playing with my welder and using the car to practice on as welding costs little to do..
the sils and floor also need welding.
The question is about replacing the rear inner arch with a plastic one, I think it is possible it's just a case of finding an appropriate doner panel. Has anyone attempted such a thing ??

Absolutely not, as already pointed out this is a structural area not just for the rear seat belts but also the rear suspension, the corrosion will need replacing properly with metal and not just bodging a plastic arch liner in to hide the problem.

As pointed out it sounds like the shell is toast and ready for the scrap heap, by all means feel free to practice but there is a limit to what you can achieve patching up the rust

 

[atom0007]

I've never seen a replacement liner anywhere.


If it's welding practice you're after, buy a replacement sill section and cut that in.


If your car was a classic, it would be worth fabricating a new liner, or paying someone skilled to do it.