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Mk5 offside wheel arch rust - can I glue a new panel on?

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Mk5 offside wheel arch rust - can I glue a new panel on?

Postby frankieboy231 » Sun Jul 04, 2021 10:16 pm

The offside forward wheel arch outer panel has rusted through and needs attention. Would prefer to fit new panel but hopeless at welding. Since this is carrying my 1998 Autosleeper Legend motorhome my local garage says it's not financially viable to do the repair so it's DIY time. Happy to take it off and clean things up but can I use a modern steel-panel adhesive to fix new one on? Has anybody done it yet? if so - any useful tips?
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Re: Mk5 offside wheel arch rust - can I glue a new panel on?

Postby Noctule » Mon Jul 05, 2021 10:19 am

Where are you? There may be someone near you willing to do some welding for you.

The wheel arch is structural so you can't just glue new pieces on.

Have you got a pic you can put on here?

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Re: Mk5 offside wheel arch rust - can I glue a new panel on?

Postby Altransit » Mon Jul 05, 2021 10:49 am

Why not do the donkey work yourself, remove the rusty part, clean up and treat what has been exposed, and 'pop rivet' the new panel (or part of panel) in place. Then ask your garage to do the necessary welding :idea:
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Re: Mk5 offside wheel arch rust - can I glue a new panel on?

Postby Keef » Mon Jul 05, 2021 12:05 pm

I would bolt front wings on these days using Rivnuts down the A pillar and stainless nuts and bolts, easy access for future welding (it is a Transit after all)
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Re: Mk5 offside wheel arch rust - can I glue a new panel on?

Postby frankieboy231 » Mon Jul 05, 2021 12:20 pm

Ok, thanks you guys - pop rivets/weld sounds likely also the bolts. I knew there would some lateral thinkers out there.

Garage says rust in wing not MOT failure unless dangerously sharp (for pedestrians) so I assumed not structural - only the box inside structural.

Was I wrong?

Brgds all.
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Re: Mk5 offside wheel arch rust - can I glue a new panel on?

Postby frankieboy231 » Mon Jul 05, 2021 12:22 pm

I can take a pic but clueless about getting it online, is there a help page somewhere?
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Re: Mk5 offside wheel arch rust - can I glue a new panel on?

Postby Noctule » Mon Jul 05, 2021 2:31 pm

It's structural in that it helps keep other parts in the right place.

To upload a pic, look below the reply window. You'll see 'upload attachment. Choose the pic you want to show from your pc or phone, then click 'add the file'. You'll then get an option to place the file inline (where the cursor is in the reply box). Click preview to check you're happy with it before commiting.
2000 Mk5 HiCube self-build camper
- 2.5tdi 4EA with EPIC-to-Bosch conversion
- DRW with 16" rims
- Mondeo instrument cluster
- Lunar Meteorite interior

2006 Mk7 115t350 van (cheap tax tramp)

Previously...
Mk5 100 swb Custom
Mk5 190 lwb x3
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Re: Mk5 offside wheel arch rust - can I glue a new panel on?

Postby cherniy_chack » Mon Jul 05, 2021 6:53 pm

Hi frankieboy231.
If you remove the front door and open the hood, you can drill out the fender-to-body weld points and remove it.
The view will reveal a terrible picture of body corrosion hidden by the wing.
So your garage doesn't want to do this.
Without welding, damaged parts are difficult to fix, but you can.
Repair inserts can be installed on rivets, small bolts with nuts or self-tapping screws for metal.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/shop ... Q&usqp=CAc
It is better to adjust the relative position of the repair inserts and the wing with self-tapping screws for metal.
After fitting, the new wing can be attached to the body with metal screws.
When the son broke the wing, I quickly installed the wing on self-tapping screws for him, he sold the car, and they broke the wing, I also installed it on the self-tapping screws before repairing.
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Re: Mk5 offside wheel arch rust - can I glue a new panel on?

Postby Chug » Mon Jul 05, 2021 10:24 pm

Local fella had his wings done by a good performance/classic car bodyshop and they used glue all round and pop rivets in the corners, reckoned in tests it was as strong as welding, and the fella said if its good enough for the posh blokes cars.

I just used rivets and scews and the odd tack weld.
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Re: Mk5 offside wheel arch rust - can I glue a new panel on?

Postby madmart132 » Wed Aug 04, 2021 10:24 pm

I had a mk5 hi cube it had been in a crash at some point in its life and the whole nearside wing was bonded into place not a weld on it !!
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