SC rocker panel reassemble: procedure and parts Q's.
 

Here's the deal: now that my rear suspension is tucked back in I am ready to put the side rockers back on the car. Problem is that I am unsure if the lower screws had or did not have little rubber donuts since they have disintegrated to a degree.

So:
1) Should a rubber donut sit as a buffer on every single lower screw-to-body attachment?
2) Are these donuts all of the same thickness, or are they varying thickness?
3) What is the best way to slide that rubber piece back into the groove?
AND FINALLY...
4) Is there an aftermarket rocker assembley that folks like?

Many thanks guys!
John

Mine are plastic. They are all the same length. I had 4 or 5 sheet metal screwsthat held the top on and then 4 lower larger screws that (starting from the bottom) had a washer then the flange from the rocker, then the plastic spacer then the body of the car. The spacers are about 1/2 inch tall. My rocker flanges are a slot, not a hole, so I could just put the washer and spacer on the screw and then seperate them as I slid it onto the rocker flange. Does that make sense?

Chad:

Yes, that makes complete sense. I will try to source fresh plastic or rubber 1/2" tall bits from my local Home Depot. All the old rubber ones are dead.

By the way, I have cleaned and waxed EVERYTHING prior to putting this all together. I am hoping this will prevent buildup of crud, etc. One thing about the rocker panel: the inside areas can house all kinds of pebbles and tarmac. Nice to lose a few pounds that way!

John

Spray the rubber piece with silicone (or some non rubber eating lubricant) and it slides right in.

the rubber piece is a b**** to get back into place, or at least it was on my car, even with the silicone spray. Just take your time and try not to get frustrated. I got my second one almost all the way on and then as I was pulling it the last 1/2 inch a quarter sized chunk came off the end. Aargh!

Really? Mine went right on. I did it about an two to 3 inches at a time, starting from one end and leaving the entire strip on a towel on the ground (kinda anal, so I didn't want it to get scuffed by debree on my garage floor). I bent it back and it seemed to open its seem and slip over the lip. took about 5 minutes on each one. The end caps were a pain because they had been bent by the PO. I straightened them and resprayed 'em, but getting the holes to line up wasn't easy. It's easiest with the wheels off, so you can get a screw driver at them straight.

Darn it -- I need to know what thicknesses are needed for the plastic spacers for the rockers (this on an SC with Air Conditioning).

Evidently the factory used different thickness spacers to level out the rocker panel and hide the A/C hoses. If anyone has a ruler and is willing to take a look under their car I would be very happy to know, front to back the shim sizes of these white round plastic spacers.

Many thanks,
John