928 Right Side Damage / how to fix?

[Landseer]

Sure could use some tips and specific advice on how to remove and repair a couple panels. DIY / learn as I go is the only option.

Need to remove/replace passenger rear quarter and passenger rocker.
Right side of car sideswiped some trees.


What techniques, what tools?

[Danglerb]

I think the usual thing is to cut off the bent frame in front and weld in a good one, but doesn't sound remotely DIY to me. I'd start looking for a nice straight body to put your good parts on.

[Landseer]

But this one doesn't have a bent frame.

The impact was all on the upper fender, door and rear quarter.

[tychain99]

not sure the method.. but I have a black 928 I have been ripping parts out of. If you figure out what you need and such hit me up. I should have a few things. The car is an 85, and the whole passengers side is straight.

[bluemane500]

Outer sheet metal is attached to the inner structure by spot welds,,,remove the rear cover, the hatch and the rear quarter glass ,along with the mldg between the roof and quarter and all your spot welds are visible,,center puinch the spot weld and then use a spot weld removing bit on your drill,,,its a tiny hole saw that will cut the weld,,try to only drill thru your outer sheet metal to release the outer panel,,,,there are alot of spot welds,,,take your time,,,when the outer panel has come off you grind down the remaining circle of steel left there,,,spray on a weld thru primer and mig weld your new panel in the proper place,,,,,of course your rocker is taken off after the quarter panel and put on before the quarter panel,,,all steel panels are installed in the same method,,,,,if you need any more advice you can call me or pm me,,,,good luck

[19psi]

I saw that on CL, did you end up buying it and did he include the white door? With the crushed fender and door removed, it doesn't look so bad now. The area that concerned me was the pillar between the quarter and door which I still think is going to need professional straightening.
Like most cars you'll need to cut out the old quarter and rocker and weld in new. Finding used that was carefully cut out with proper amount of material left to attach to is not going to be easy to find.

[AirtekHVAC]

As blueman said...I am no expert, but I saw a very extensive thread on replacing the rear quarter...I think it was on RL....I won't say it looked easy, but certainly looked do-able.

[JK McDonald]

Hey Landseer, The replacement of a door, fender, bumpers, glass, etc…. are pretty straight forward and well within the abilities of most owners. But the replacement of a rear quarter panel on a 928 will be a pretty major under taking for a home project unless you have access to some special skills. It is not that it can’t be done at a local level, just be aware that there are lots of significant door pillar alignment issues involved. Installation of the quarter and rocker panels will influence not only door alignment but how well it seals out the wind and rain at highway speeds.

If you are intent on staying with this body, one way to go may be for you to remove the damaged parts associated with the uni-body assembly, provide the replacement quarter and rocker panels and have a body shop install everything. Another option is to just buy a body and swap the drive train, interior, etc… over. Other owners may offer some additional alternatives but without all the necessary equipment, tools and expertise, I think replacing the complete body shell would actually provide a better outcome and save you some grief in the long run.

One other thought - I was assuming that the damage to the door pillar was serious enough for it to be distorted and would require a replacement.

Nice looking car by the way -

Good Luck, Michael

[Dean_Fuller]

That is not that bad. I would NOT replace anything other than the front fender and door ( as you all ready have ) . The other pushed in areas I would use a slide hammer to pull out as well as you can. Get it close and body fill as required. You may have to "shape" as you pull with a piece of wood and hammer.

Same with the inner fender at radiator. Can you get a 2x4 behind it and move it out with a hammer? Again...some shaping as you go.

[Linderpat]

oh my Chris - what happened? Is that the car I rode in awhile back when I was in richmond?

[Landseer]

Nawww, its a metor 86.5.

Owner slid down an embankment 3 years ago, parked it in his garage since.

I heard about it Sunday morning. Rented a trailer, drove to Wisconsin, and had it in the driveway be midnight.

Car runs fantastic. Just not sure whether to harvest the Borg box and put it in Jim's old Euro (the one we rode in together ) or repair it.

I think I'm too busy and underfunded to do the right thing -- which is save it.
Body shell swap makes some sense.


Thanks to all of you for the great replies in this thread.
Bluemane, that detail is much-appreciated coming from a pro.

Dean, that's also a way to go! Am visualizing it.
But do you really think you could do a partial job on one?

Maybe a combo approach. AJ, might need some parts!

Quarter / door is really the quarter covering hidden mounts for the door striker plate.
Sure would like to find that quarter replacement thread.
(I had a couple spare doors the movers shipped up from Virginia).

[Linderpat]

well, it sure keeps you out of trouble

[tychain99]

84 928 5spd; 84 928 Euro 5spd; 85 928 Auto, 86 928 Auto; 85.5 944 5spd; 86 951 track; 84 928 Automatic


# addicted

[mikeesik]

Why don't you get this repaired...professionally ?

[Chris33]

Landseer,
I was looking at this same car! So are you gonna save it? i saw the mileage and was nervous about repair bills, not the bodywork cost. I think you can save that quarter....and I do paint and body resto work. These 928's are great cars but sooooo pricey to repair. So did you get it for a steal? He had lookers but no buyers and I was gonna make him an offer but you already bought it....if decide to part it out let me know, I am interested in the shell.

[AirtekHVAC]

Chris, look at this thread....I scanned it over...might be the one I mentioned...

I still say save it...I also like Deans idea...

928S Restoration in progress - Rennlist Discussion Forums

[Landseer]

Thanks for that quarter post, Ron.

Chris, I saw no need to haggle, owner was honest and price was fair.
The real objective at the time was securing the G28-11 or later gearbox.
I would have paid same money even if the engine had crashed valves.

Ran (well) , shifted, no frame damage, interior smelled good.
You are absolutely right. It needs the typical 4000 of mechanical parts on top of the body repair.
Its the 10th one I've worked on, so the mechanical part is clear to me.

The bodywork is the new frontier for me.
It looks like the body parts can materialize from other shells for essentially free or barter.
My nextdoor neighbor, who accompanied me on the grab-n-go mission, does meticulous hobbyist body resto on very rusty Indiana camaros and has all the tools. He won't do the work, but offered to consult.
Would give me a chance to learn. We have a place to spray the car, too.


Bluemane pretty much validated the process that my neighbor described.

Comes down to spousal relations at this point. Gotta find a way to replace her emergency fund, used secretly to buy the car, which is why I could act instantly on this one. If I can clear that bogie, then "I'm free to move about the cabin". Otherwise, you'll see me quickly sell-off some parts. Or our house.

[AirtekHVAC]

Lol.... I am with you on the "funds allocations".

I will be cutting floor panels and welding new on mine, never did bodywork before, but repaired a lot of machines, so not scared... Looking forward to learning... Most people said to scrap it, but I say nay nay...

[jim devine]

First, change out any bent suspension parts, then put it on an alignment rack
to see if it's twisted or diamonded or. Really doesn't look too bad in photos,
but worth checking.

If you have to do any "pulls"- leave it under tension for a day or two. I know a body man that was doing an older Mercedes
and the shop owner made him take it off the rack to get another car on. He lost the argument to leave it on & when it was time to assemble it nothing lined up. The metal has a "memory" & it has to relax & get used to the new position, thus
the reason for leaving it under tension.
Nice car- looks like it's worth saving. Lots of sheet metal around cheap- mostly a lot of labor & beer.
If you have to cut anything out- make the cut where the factory had a screw hole or something like that & fit the new part to it. Use them for reference points.
The holes should be in the same place in all the cars. Also- don't do long welds
let it cool & keep the heat/ warpage to a minimum.
Hope this might be of help- thanks for your posts on saving
neglected cars.

[Landseer]

We've found more damage. Structural.
Forced to go another route.