[DeTomaso] Rear Wheel house rust repair advice needed ..

[Christopher Kimball]

I had (have) the same issue.  My passenger-side rear wheel was wearing on the inside edge; upon further examination, it turned out the entire rear assembly was collapsing into the shock tower!  The rust comes from inside the frame, and even forms underneath the undercoating.  I took it to a frame guy, and the more he looked, the worse it looked!  I had a bunch of work done, but there is still more to do before the whole car is totally OK.

Every time he whacked something under the car and said "oh, that's not good," I saw dollar signs floating before my eyes...

Don't despair, however, just do as I do--a few thousand at a time!

Seriously, though, if you know of a good frame guy in your area who knows Panteras (and that's important), it's worth your while to have him thoroughly check out your frame.  With any luck, any issues will be minor.  Don't trust your eyes, however.  My car had been through a bare-metal respray only a short time before I bought it and the rocker panels had been replaced.  I thought it was fine until I had that frame guy get out his hammer and chisel.

Sincerely,

Chris





> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:33:21 -0700
> From: andriykoisg at yahoo.ca
> To: detomaso at realbig.com
> Subject: [DeTomaso] Rear Wheel house rust repair advice needed ..
> 
> Well...
> 
> After being proud of having a car that I thought was relatively rust clean ....
> 
> I found some.
> 
> I have been going over my car (every square inch). While inside the right rear wheel well, I noticed a small pinhole in the rear U-channel (the curvey one)of the wheel house suspension support. Right where it changes to a down angle. I jammed my srewdriver into the pinhole and it went through !! The metal was quite thin. I then tap tested the rest of the U channels. Banged them with a screw driver and composite hammer. Everywhere else seemed pretty solid. 
> 
> So, I shooved a foot long wire and then a screwdriver into the previously drilled drain holes to dislodge any rust. WOW I got quite a pile of exfoliated rust powder and flakes. I was shocked.
> 
> I then checked the drivers side (left side rear wheel house). Solid everywhere from the testing and very little rust could be dislodged from up inside the drain holes.
> 
> Anyway, I feel disheartened . I had to stop work on the car and take a break. Turning to the forum for help.
> 
> What to you guys recommend for a repair? How much of the inner wheel house should I remove? 
> 
> And most importantly ... Who makes the best original looking patch repair panel?
>  
> Thanks
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
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