Cracks on outer rocker panels. Catastrophic?

[exc911ence]

So I spotted cracks in the same location on both outer rocker panels of my ex-Targa "Frankencab" this afternoon... not sure how long they've been there, but they don't look too fresh. Door gaps are still even and the car doesn't make any sounds like it's about to break in half while I'm driving it, but I'm now concerned (as you might imagine). Being a Targa originally, I know there's extra support in the rocker area but if this was an airplane monocoque with cracks like this, I'd ground the thing.

Body experts, is this a 'stop driving and repair immediately' situation, or can I let it ride for a year or so? I say a year or so as the car is destined to be re-Targa'd at some point in the near future and both welding jobs could be done at the same time.

Pics:

[brighton911]

How is the rest of the body Dave ? Any bubbling etc ?

[Gonbad]

I would maybe investigate further. Either from underneath or pull the seats and carpet. That’s is weird looking. Are you sure it’s a crack in metal?

[exc911ence]

Originally Posted by brighton911

How is the rest of the body Dave ? Any bubbling etc ?

Quite solid overall, no corrosion underneath that I can see. Having said that, it was wide-bodied in the 1990s with welded flares and it had what I imagine to be a lot of bodywork to blend it all in, so much could be hidden. The only "puffy" areas in the paint are on the passenger front fender though, mostly below the headlight. Not relevant to the shell, but shows that some rusting has occurred over the years.

[exc911ence]

Originally Posted by Gonbad

I would maybe investigate further. Either from underneath or pull the seats and carpet. That’s is weird looking. Are you sure it’s a crack in metal?

Not 100%, but it looks like rust dust within the crack so I'm assuming so. The fact that it's in the same spot on both sides, leads me to think that it's a weak area of the shell.

[john walker's workshop]

Ever lift a targa on a hoist and try to open the doors? Or better yet, lift it with the doors open and try to close them.

[exc911ence]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

Ever lift a targa on a hoist and try to open the doors? Or better yet, lift it with the doors open and try to close them.

No. Sadly, I've never owned a hoist. I'm gathering from what you're saying though is that it is a weak spot on a Targa/Cabriolet. From your experience, what's your take on the cracks on my rockers? Is it time for me to panic, or just keep on keeping on for now?

[Ian Comerford]

I think there is a body joint at that point on both sides. It looks like someone has put filler on the joint to smooth it out which the factory doesn’t do on production. So given that Targas flex more than coupes the filler has cracked.

[Balisong]

Get a cheap bore camera off Amazon and go into the rocker panel through one of the plugs. You can inspect that area from underneath.

[Mark Salvetti]

Not to be an alarmist or anything, but what is under this bump?



Incidentally, my 1979 Targa has a similar crack in the same spot on the passenger side, but not on the driver's side. It also extends down below the rubber side moulding. Never noticed it until I went looking tonight. I bet they are pretty common.



Mark

[brighton911]

I had a close look at the same area on my 86 Targa. Not a hint of any cracks etc. FYI, he car has no rust anywhere.

[WMichelsen]

I recently disassembled my '87 for a repaint. I noticed this odd situation around the LHS jack receiver. This was Porsche original factory condition. I was concerned about the bubbles and gap. Turns out the bubbles were solid metal (solder?) and the gap was just factory quality.

I post it here as exhibit that there is a seam at that location that is soldered together (I think). Other body experts here have way more knowledge than me. Is the crack in the OP related to weakened solder joint?

[TeeJayHoward]

Huh... I JUST saw a video for this today. Greasy Fingers on Youtube, I think. Can't recall which video it was, but he sanded down the area, melted the tin, and found some separated metal and rust starting to form.

edit: Hah! Found it!

[exc911ence]

Originally Posted by Mark Salvetti

Not to be an alarmist or anything, but what is under this bump?





Mark

I haven't yet built up the courage to look.

[exc911ence]

Originally Posted by TeeJayHoward

Huh... I JUST saw a video for this today. Greasy Fingers on Youtube, I think. Can't recall which video it was, but he sanded down the area, melted the tin, and found some separated metal and rust starting to form.

edit: Hah! Found it!

That's excellent, thanks so much! It does take some worry away to see the detail of the area, and how the factory finished it. I was picturing a far worse situation than just (potentially) some cracking solder.

Obviously it could still be a massive can of worms once I dig into it but my fears of the car snapping in half next time I drive it are (mostly) gone.

[shoooo32]

My '78 targa (248k miles) has cracks at the solder joint on both sides. Dad's 83 (53k miles) looks good.

[Tyson Schmidt]

What you’re seeing there is the lead filler that they fill in the joint between the rocker and the rear quarter panel cracking.
Happens from flex and possibly some corrosion underneath the lead