4 door rear arch box section

Post by **dunketh** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 1:50 pm

One of my box section bits has gone rusty at the bottom. The sills and surrounding area are fine and I've basically lined it all with cavity wax on the inside but...
Is this an MOT failure? (you could easily put a screwdriver though it)

I know I should stop moaning and fix it but a friend has pinched my welder and I'm frankly too lazy... Its not like it'll get any worse for the time being.

Post by **newagetraveller** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 4:31 pm

Sounds like a fail to me.

Post by **Onne** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 4:51 pm

I'd say get it fixed before more harm is done

Post by **dunketh** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 12:34 pm

My local friendly welder's going to fix it for me.
Rather than me or a mate hashing it up, he said it'll be under £50 and his work is always impeccable.

Not bad considering its the very end of the sill and the whole lower section of arch box thats gracefuly retired itself.

Post by **Dominic** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 9:05 pm

Hi Dunk
How did the repairs work out? I'm asking as I have discovered a similar problem, and wondered just how much of a problem it is. I have about a 1" area at the bottom of the arch box section that needs attention. Were they reasonably priced in the end? Also, was it easy enough to re-finish to a good standard?

Post by **dunketh** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:29 pm

Still haven't had this done but it will be done.
If you have a similar problem you do need to remove the sill cover plates to get a good look.
If you can feel a rusty bit above these its sure to be worse beneath.

My covers had been permanently stuck down with filler, sealant and dodgy paint so it made the job extra fun.

As I said, I've not had the work done yet but the guy is a demon with a welder and with a small skim of filler I'm hoping for an invisible repair.

In some cases it may be necessary to remove the rear arch but this opens up an even bigger can of worms given that the bolts attaching it to the car are probably rustier than your average 2nd hand fiat.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:17 pm

to make a decent repair it will normally be necessary to remove the rear wing. The minimum is to loosen the wing and remove the plasticky bead strip from this area (which would otherwise melt when being welded!!!)
Unfortunately the wing bolts in the area of this box section are the ones that cause most problems

Post by **Dominic** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:54 pm

Cheers chaps.... I'd better start saving...

at least MOT isn't until July...