Undershield Help

[audiman08]

I have a little rust forming on the front undershield, under the suspension on my '75 Targa. I'd like to replace this before it gets worse. Anyway, how difficult will this be and do any companies still make these? Thanks!

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by audiman08

I have a little rust forming on the front undershield, under the suspension on my '75 Targa. I'd like to replace this before it gets worse. Anyway, how difficult will this be and do any companies still make these? Thanks!

Sounds like you are describing the front suspension pan and gas tank support. If so, the difficulty level depends on the experience of the person doing the repair and the willingness to tackle the job as a DIY. It is a fairly routine replacement for a body shop that knows 911 and you should not have trouble finding someone to do the work and do it well--just do some homework first. The parts are still made and some are available on the for sale page from time to time as well as some suppliers, including our host. There are lots of threads on this topic, both on how to do it, and how to get the parts but this may get you started.

[Rot 911]

Picture of the rusted area would be really helpful. Where are you located in Missouri?

[audiman08]

Here is the piece I'm talking about below (on another car). I don't have a lift so it's difficult to get a clear pic of my underside, but I'll give it a try. I'm in Lebanon, MO and not sure of any body shops that would be familiar with old 911s around me.

[Rot 911]

That indeed is the front suspension pan. Is the rust also on the inside? If so that often happens from an old battery that leaked acid down into the pan. Can you poke holes through it with a screwdriver? The replacement parts are not that expensive, but having a professional weld the parts in will run you $500-$800. I replaced that piece and the gas tank support on my old '72E. Used it as an excuse to go out and buy a MIG welder. My avatar is actually a picture of me in the front of the car welding in the pan.

[audiman08]

Originally Posted by Kurt V

That indeed is the front suspension pan. Is the rust also on the inside? If so that often happens from an old battery that leaked acid down into the pan. Can you poke holes through it with a screwdriver? The replacement parts are not that expensive, but having a professional weld the parts in will run you $500-$800. I replaced that piece and the gas tank support on my old '72E. Used it as an excuse to go out and buy a MIG welder. My avatar is actually a picture of me in the front of the car welding in the pan.

Thanks for the info. I have some experience stick welding but no MIG. May see if I can borrow a MIG welder and see what I can do (maybe). Anyway, it has ate through the metal in spots, so it may have been a battery issue. The rest of the suspension area looks okay, so I think it is just this pan. At least I know what it's called now so I can look for another one!

[Rot 911]

You should be able to just buy the front half of the suspension pan and also get the gas tank support. The biggest pain in the butt is drilling out all of the spot welds.

[audiman08]

I was looking at the process (http://www.motoringinvestments.com/RestorationServices/911SuspensionPan.htm ) It looks like quite a headache. Do you know a good shop in Missouri that could do the MIG work?