Can this rear quarter be mended?

[DeanR32]

Evening all

I just thought I'd grab your opinion on this bit of handy work by whoever worked on this car before me.

Can this be straightened out?

It's the rear quarter on my 2002. It seems whoever welded the replacement arch went a bit too gung ho and it looks like they warped the quarter inwards. In an attempt to make it all look level, it seems they've beaten the s**t out of the quarter with a chipping hammer for some reason to set it back and fill it to make good. A new quarter is >£500, so can this be made flatter? I know it'll always need filler, but there must have been 3/4" worth at the worst part! Somewhere in that mess used to be a swage line I'd like to get back, as the doors obviously have one too.

Your opinions on what the hell happened here is welcomed.

Cheers

 

[the snooper]

that's probably been in a crash and that's why the panel has more damage then you expected to see, what car is it

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Can you cut it out, fix the 'damage' on the bench, then weld it back in?

 

[DeanR32]

The car is a 1975 BMW 2002. The panels that have been replaced (rear sill patch, arch) are all common points of rust and are pretty much expected to have been replaced by now.

I'm sure it could be cut out and repaired, but not sure how you'd go about repairing an area like this. Could it be done in situ?

 

[hotrodder]

Is it a BMW 2002 or something that was made in 2002 like a VW Golf R32?
Pic is too 'straight on' and too much of a close up to get a proper idea of what's going on but yeah, a skilled panel beater would be able to get that a lot straighter. Sorting the swageline would depend some on access to the back of the panel. For an idea of what's possible with various hammers and dollies (inc improvised stuff), some oxyfuel and a lot of skill ...

 

[the snooper]

are you sure the arch has been replaced looks quite battered for a replacement panel

 

[anjum]

Might be able to pull out the worst of it using a slide hammer. Either screw in self tappers or better still weld on some screws or nails pointy end (ground off) first and grab the head with the slide hammer. There are weld on bits for use with slide hammers.
That should make it so you don't have to use as much filler.

 

[Rocketman]

Good lord that will need some serious shrinking, I bet the steel is stretched all over the place.

 

[the snooper]

The car is a 1975 BMW 2002. The panels that have been replaced (rear sill patch, arch) are all common points of rust and are pretty much expected to have been replaced by now.

I'm sure it could be cut out and repaired, but not sure how you'd go about repairing an area like this. Could it be done in situ?

I don't want to put a damper on this but unless you've done this before and have experience I doubt very much you will get anywhere with it, if you remove it sure you will get some dents out but won't get any of the shape it's supposed to be it's very hard going with badly damaged panels due to the steel being stretched badly you may have a better chance making a new section to weld in using the other side for mirror image templates and you should then be able to get the swage line back in a lot easier

 

[DeanR32]

Cheers for the replies

This isn't something I've done before, so probably best I leave it alone. We have an old fella over our lock up that said it can be done to a degree, so I best just pay him to do it. He is very good, but the time I've seen him take on a small piece, getting it perfect worries me.

 

[DeanR32]

I've just got round to watching that video. Amazing work I must say!

 

[the snooper]

I've just got round to watching that video. Amazing work I must say!

You can always try making the parts first without cutting the original to see how it goes

 

[cecotto479]

Walloth and Nesch do rear quarter repair panels at about 90 EUR I think.

In fact, now that I think of it, I might have a bit of one in the offcuts bucket. I'll check tomorrow. It'll be the right hand side if I do.

 

[B1N9S]

I might have a section of rear quarter too. W&N do the lower section as a repair panel and you can buy the arch as a repair panel. That looks like it's the drivers side ? With the filler on, is that correct ?

i will check when I get home on Friday for you.

Are you on the 02 forum Dean ? Recently trying to sort out your roof problems ?

 

[DeanR32]

Yes mate, that was me. I'll leave the roof till last job. What's your name on there?

It's the passenger side quarter (although there's thick filler on the drivers side too). Here's a couple more pictures

Access to the inside is completely clear too

I have seen the repair panel from W&N that covers the lower section, but I can't see this whole section on its own, just the whole rear quarter, which is bleedin' expensive!

 

[anjum]

A good panel beater should be able to get the worst of that out. The access from the inside looks good. How much rust is on the panel inside and out?

 

[B1N9S]

I am on there as '1Eighteen' Dean. We spoke about using Dinitrol on your roof, not so long ago. I'll let you know if I have any of that metal left. I am replacing the whole rear quarters on mine, so the old one has been cut off, but not sure how 'careful' I was !!!! But I do have another shell for cutting up, but can't remember if that section is any good. I'll let you know mate. If I have it, just bung me the cost of the postage.

 

[octo0072000]

looks like that panel has had a arch panel and a lower sill probably warped the panel seam welding it on

 

[mike 109444]

Would an old door from same side be available ? at a good price ? (scrap, part rusted?) as the shape of the door would/should follow along the body to the rear panel

 

[DeanR32]

Thanks for the replies lads

How you doing on yours 1Eighteen? What model is yours?

If any of you had this section you could sort out for me, I'd owe you's a big kiss on the lips (and a bit of money obviously)!

I got the other side down to bare metal tonight. That side needs work too. Not as much as the passenger side above, but it's still a right state!