In a message dated 97-06-20 08:41:03 EDT, Frank wrote:
<<
I was told that you can gain access to behind the rocker panel by removing
the sealing tar near the bottom of the wheel arches at the ends of the
rocker panel. You are supposed to be able to clean out the debri that
accumulates there (and contributes to rot) by using a long stiff wire with
a hook.
[snip]
2 cent comment: this is exactly where I am now as I finish detailing the
front wheel arches [cleaning, painting etc]. I scrapped out the material
sealing the space between the rearward part of the wheel arch and the inside
skin of the fender. In effect the wheel arch forms sort of a bulkhead
parallel to the firewall and forward of the front door post. The space
between the wheelarch/bulkhead and the fender skin is a fairly even 1/4 inch
in one wheel well but the other had a bit of rust on the edge and when
scrapped the gap is about 3/8". That is not much space for scrapping and
cleaning the debris that is behind there. I slid a hacksaw blade along the
inside fender skin up and down [it is thin and flexible] and it worked ok I
guess. I loosened a lot of mostly dirt and rinsed it out at the bottom with
the garden hose. A blast of compressed air would be better.
Be aware that the space behind the wheelarch/bulkhead is apparently three
compartments. At the very top you remove two small bolts and a piece of
sheet metal shaped like a piece of pie [and about that size] comes off. You
can get a small brush in there but not your fist. As you slide your probe
downward along the inside of the skin you hit a horizontal barrier, the
bottom of the top compartment. Continuing to probe downward about 5" you
come to another horizontal barrier [the middle compartment] and below that to
the bottom there are no other barriers that my probe hit.
As a result I doubt if it can be cleaned out to any meaningful degree.
[snip] I had postulated that you could apply sealer (like DP40) through
this access by taking a length of copper tubing, crimp one end shut, drill
small holes along its length and attaching it to the end of a spray can or
gun. I never tried it but I did notice that on my cars it looks like there
is indeed limited access to this area at the points mentioned.
>>
That is an excellent idea. Another possibility that I think I will try is
to take an areosol can of rust inhibiting primer and blast it through the 1/4
to 3/8" space I have up and down between the inside of the fender skin and
the wheelarch/bulkhead. I certainly cannot hit every thing but the spray
ought to bounce around enough to cover some. Even if the surface prep has
been incomplete and I do not hit every spot it ought to do some good.
I am also considering spraying some undercoating material in there as well.
Finally I plan to reseal the gap with a seam sealer or automotive caulk.
Any comments?
One thing I want to be sure to avoid and that is I do not want to plug any
drain holes. Looking under and around this area I do not see any which
surprises me. Did I miss seeing it?
Rob Carpenter
Series V [still on jacks but soon to be running]
Seattle
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