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Replacing rusted wheel arches. Any thoughts?

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Replacing rusted wheel arches. Any thoughts?

Postby rgutsell » Mon Feb 12, 2018 6:54 pm

Hiya all

I have a 1997 "Smiley" campervan.

The nearside front and rear wheel arches are rusted and I am looking into getting them replaced and re painted.

I have been going around body work firms, but surprisingly several of them are not interested. They seem to be wary of the welding involved and the trickiness of the work. I have one taker at £500 plus parts, plus VAT.

What should I look out for? What are the difficulties involved? One guy talked about the possible discovery of more rust in a panel behind the outer one.

I am aware that you can purchase replacement wheel arches (not the whole panel) but what should I be aware of? I am sure that this is a common job for the old "Smileys" so your input is appreciated!!

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Re: Replacing rusted wheel arches. Any thoughts?

Postby ABA » Mon Feb 12, 2018 7:11 pm

where abouts are you
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Re: Replacing rusted wheel arches. Any thoughts?

Postby Noctule » Mon Feb 12, 2018 7:35 pm

There's always the possibility of more rust.

For that money the advice is often buy your own welder and learn to do it yourself so you know what you doing for next time. Look up central panels for an idea of prices for the parts. My local body panel shop keeps footsteps and arches in stock, yours might too.

Alternatively, post some pics, let us know where you are, and maybe someone on here can help you out.

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Re: Replacing rusted wheel arches. Any thoughts?

Postby vanfox » Tue Feb 13, 2018 1:32 pm

99% certain there will be more rust. Spend the time between now and better weather learning to MIG weld and cut sheet metal to make patches....unless you have nice warm double garage, then just learn to weld and get on with it.

There's plenty of pics on here showing what usually needs doing.

Post some pics using the upload attachments button.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/ has lots of info.
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Re: Replacing rusted wheel arches. Any thoughts?

Postby ceurieusneus » Tue Feb 13, 2018 6:38 pm

Have a look at YouTube, fill in the "magic" words Transit and rust... :mrgreen:
Writing was not invented to look for spelling errors :wink:
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Re: Replacing rusted wheel arches. Any thoughts?

Postby cherniy_chack » Tue Feb 13, 2018 6:46 pm

rgutsell ,It's not so scary.
For me.
But I am far. :(
If you buy MIG welding and learn how to work, this skill will remain with you for life.
If you take a chance and come to me, you will get an impression for the rest of your life. :D
Search for a tinsmith's welder at home.
Good luck.
The rule in the body repair is simple: if the outer part is damaged by rust, then the inner part that is mated with it is damaged.
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Re: Replacing rusted wheel arches. Any thoughts?

Postby redrob7 » Tue Feb 13, 2018 9:29 pm

Hi have the same problem myself with 1990 transit 100 camper van front and rear wheel arches need replacing have bought parts arches to fit and also mig welder lots of scrap fridge sides sanded down to practice on and found a quick tap with welder ever so often one end of work piece then other end and so on for heat dispersion works well but even i'm putting it off as never done this before keep saying waiting for better weather and so on but loving all the sound advice on here guys a Big Thanks to you all i'm in north west shropshire uk if anyone close by
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Re: Replacing rusted wheel arches. Any thoughts?

Postby mistericeman » Wed Feb 14, 2018 12:08 am

cherniy_chack wrote: rgutsell ,It's not so scary.
For me.
But I am far. :(
If you buy MIG welding and learn how to work, this skill will remain with you for life.
If you take a chance and come to me, you will get an impression for the rest of your life. :D
Search for a tinsmith's welder at home.
Good luck.
The rule in the body repair is simple: if the outer part is damaged by rust, then the inner part that is mated with it is damaged.


Now that IS truth....

Mind you missed the bit about knowing YOU sorted it and that you sorted it so it won't be back in a rush.


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Re: Replacing rusted wheel arches. Any thoughts?

Postby cherniy_chack » Thu Feb 15, 2018 7:31 pm

rgutsell,buy MiG-welding only for the sake of one body repair-expensive.
In addition to the MIG apparatus, you also need to buy a carbon dioxide bottle, reducer, hose.
Welding wire "without gas" is more expensive than usual and does not give a quality seam.
In addition to welding, one or two angle grinders, an electric drill, a screwdriver, cutting and cleaning grinding disks, drills, screws and bits to them, clamps for clamping the parts during welding, hammers, chisels, scissors for cutting sheet metal and many other things are needed.
This minimal set costs about 1000 dollars. Add welding and the set will cost 1000 pounds sterling.
If everything that I already have is already available, there is the experience of metalwork and tin works, then you can buy the welding and most restore the body.
If there is time and the desire to poke around in the rusty iron.
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Re: Replacing rusted wheel arches. Any thoughts?

Postby stalwart » Sat Feb 24, 2018 10:55 pm

500 pound isn't a bad price to be honest
Your asking for 1 front arch,both rear arches supplied and finished then paint
This would be my starting price and thats without looking at it :wink:
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Re: Replacing rusted wheel arches. Any thoughts?

Postby peter5761 » Sat Mar 10, 2018 2:22 pm

Don't know where you are but there is a Portuguese guy in Macclesfield who is brill at bodywork,He quoted me £1000 for all 4 corners inc quarter panels replaced,also he would under seal complete and also tidy up small bits,I would supply panels they cost me about £150 and I have the underseal from a previous job,Best thing he loves transits and was enthusiastic to start.
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