Club 80-90 Forums

Hi,
Can anyone help with the correct way to replace new panels, or more to the point the way to weld the seams correctly!!

Thanks

Which panels are you replacing?

All 4 wheel arches, probably both back lower qtr panels, when I get round to them..
It's the visible seams am unsure on..?
Ta

Snap i am at the same point as you . My wheel arch has a seem right aroud but my new panels go past if you know what i mean

The wheel arches have access to spot or plug weld the new panels on from inside the wheel arch. There is no need to weld the seams on the outer face . The top of the original rear arch panel is wide but some people dont remove the full width and just tack weld the new panel on top, have fun removing the underseal.

As above, seams are not welded and panels are spot welded into place. The seams are filled using a PU seam sealer.

It would be helpful if you could post up some pictures of the areas you want to work on. It can almost be guaranteed that the rust will be worse underneath than is visible on the surface.

As a rule of thumb wherever you can, put back as it was built. There are not many areas on a T3 that are not spot welded. Cut it off to the seam and weld it to the seam. Where it can't be avoided butt welds(edge to edge) are better than lapping. To reproduce a spot weld without a spot welder drill a 7-8mm hole through one side and fill it with weld. Front and rear archs can be fitted entirely with spots, but the areas surrounding them will most likely need more localised repairs such as B pillars,rear side panels around the arch.