Fixing sideskirt rust?

[renegade_ewok]

How would I do this? Driver's side sideskirt is rusted through but the problem is it's part of an entire panel... This is on a Zenki.

Whats the best way to fix this and how would a bodyshop do it? Should I just ask them to cut it out and weld a plate over it and then get a sideskirt? Will it cover everything up? Problem is that the side of the sideskirt (facing out) and the bottom are rusted through. The inside door-sill isn't rusted, its just the part that is facing outside.

Is it possible to hack a sideskirt off of another zenki and re-weld it onto the body? Is it even worth it?

[ThatGuy]

"Sideskirts" are not metal, so how is it rusting?

Are you referring to the rocker panels?

Pictures of the damage would help.

[dragon_x330]

I think he's referring to the rocker panels. Just grind/cut out and sheetmetal that bitch. Bondo is your best buddy :)

[Addicted2Kouki]

Yeah i think he is talking about rockers.

if you want to replace it, dont go thru the trouble of finding another s chassis and chopping it up.

anyone with adequate welding skills should be able to cut and grind out the old rusted parts and weld in new piece of the same thickness.



EDIT: ^^^beat me to it.

[sbanzer123]

i cut mine off of my sr clip

[renegade_ewok]

Yeah, i meant rocker panels...

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/9965/rustic6.th.jpg (http://img352.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rustic6.jpg)

Thats the rust. Its also rusted on the underside but doesn't transfer up into the door sills. Any body shop should be able to weld something on? I can cut the shit out myself, but I guess metal plate + bondo would be the best bet to fix it?

[nwmrkt]

if you dont have a welder....or just want a quick fix, sheet metal it/rivet/some kind of filler maybe fiberglass then bondo.

[atutt]

For the love of god do it right the first time. And only have to do it once.

If you don't have the tools now... wait til you do. Oe until you have access to them...

There's no sense on having to do this job again because the first time around sucked ass...

If you don't have a welder and will never have access to one, do this!
cut out and grind off all the rust. Hire someone to weld on a new piece. Then do the rest of the work yourself.

[nwmrkt]

For the love of god do it right the first time. And only have to do it once.

If you don't have the tools now... wait til you do. Oe until you have access to them...

There's no sense on having to do this job again because the first time around sucked ass...

If you don't have a welder and will never have access to one, do this!
cut out and grind off all the rust. Hire someone to weld on a new piece. Then do the rest of the work yourself.
agreed, i was just suggesting if he didnt give a "shit" and just wanted it done.

[jim1234664]

isnt the rocker structural?

[renegade_ewok]

isnt the rocker structural?
Nah, its a body panel like a fender. If it tucked underneath the rocker panel and went to the frame, then your fucked... This isn't the case. It is just on the rocker panel from all the salt that was kicked up on it all the years. It was originally a Massachusetts car.

[renegade_ewok]

If you don't have a welder and will never have access to one, do this!
cut out and grind off all the rust. Hire someone to weld on a new piece. Then do the rest of the work yourself.
Thats what I planned on doing. Will a dremel be strong enough to get through the body panel or will I have to go with something a bit bigger?

[Firestorm]

angle grinder. cut it out, check for rust inside, if the rust inside is further spread than the piece you already cut out, cut out bigger until you only have "healthy" metal. then, cut a sheet metal plate, spot weld it in, bend into shape, spot weld so it sits tight. then spot weld around the entire piece until its completly welded in, then grind down the welds until you get an even surface. if necessary, bondo, sand down, paint.

[projectRDM]

Before doing any of the above, find out why it's rusted. Water is getting trapped somewhere behind it, fix that first or you'll be repairing it again in a few years.

[renegade_ewok]

Its not that lots of water is being trapped... At least I wouldn't think so. This was a MA car and they use salt up there, not north enough yet to use sand. That being kicked up makes perfect sense why there is rust where it is.

How hard would it be for body shops to follow in general the body flow of the rocker because they will have to bend it underneath... Im gonna throw a sideskirt over it so it would just need to be a general shape...

[tk240]

Yea, I have some rust on the driver's side all the way at the bottom of the rocker panel and underneath


Am I fucked? or can this be fixed?

[ixfxi]

even if you weld in new metal, its going to rust again unless you take some preventative measures to protect the new metal from corrosion.

remember, all of the metal that is purchased from nissan comes coated, things like fenders and hood are coated with a protective primer. if you weld new metal, better have it coated ASAP after its welded (front and back)

[slidewaysmn]

Remove by drilling out welds..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/didler002/n508408712_624801_2356.jpg
Find a parts car and remove rust free rockers.

Weld in New rockers...Bamalam!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/didler002/n508408712_624789_2859.jpg

Oh, and you'll probably have rust on the bottom of your quarter so do as the others said.. cut and replace.....I've done it on 3 240s...Fuck Minnesota.

[lflkajfj12123]

^ pretty awesome

[Bigsyke]

Yes MN sucks, im tempted to trash my s14 because im poking holes via a screwdriver daily it seems.

I just ordered some rust bullet, again the key is replacing the whole panel, because if you just weld in a patch on the rocker, the reversal side is NOT protected, and will rust through again next winter.

Replacing the whole panel opens up the door to another world of rust, which you hopefully then can take care of.

[onehundredoctane]

the flat areas look prime for some a 2 inch hole and a good flare, trick and rigid.

[Bigsyke]

Only question now is; Does having the OEM mudflaps help prevent rust on the rockers, or actually help initiate it?

I know the metal strips in those mud flaps rust pretty quick then bleed down to your fenders

[s14chase]

I have the same problem with the rocker panels and local shop are trying to charge me $3000 plus. Is there such things as a rocker replacement panel or does anybody knows where can I get it ? Please help