Wheel Arch Repair Opinion

[GlassBreaker]

Picked up a '88 325 with the following wheel arch problem and I'm looking for suggestions on how to fix it. First thought was grind stud weld and slide hammer out the dent followed by fiberglass resin filler, light body filler, primer and eventually paint. Second thought was cut inner fender well, hammer and dolly out the dent followed by filler and primer and then weld the inner fender back in. Third thought was cut out the wheel arch and try to find a patch panel some where. Any opinions from people who have done this stuff before?

Thanks.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mEfcxSQFlt_rMpSNTn3AxA?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cJpzssXzN0qm8ZRDs6PTSA?feat=directlink

[e30this]

Im an hour from you. If you need a QP I have one ready and cut off for that side.
I will shoot you a PM, give me a call sometime tomorrow.

[monty]

All you need is a stud welder/slide hammer and some time. Putting on a new quarter panel will be more work. Dont put any fiber glass on there either. Just use body filler and icing, then primer.

[dashboardmonkey]

Just roll the fuck outta that thing

[e30trooper]

dam mines wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy worse lol, ill get pics

[e30trooper]

ill need a rear 1/4 for that job hua or some over fenders

[dashboardmonkey]

^jesus, did your car get hit by a flying can opener?

[e30trooper]

haha i bought the car liek that, i got the car for a steal basicly, thats teh only body damage, kinda looks liek someone lost control and rubbed up on a wall ? maybe a open diff drift couldnt handel it? haha, idk if it worth tring to fix or try to get those m3 rear flairs but those cost alot

[hahmeta]

i got a very similar problem as the OP. my arch isn't dented but the whole thing is bent inwards just like in the photos... i made the mistake of showing it to a body shop, they are quoting in the thousands to repair and repaint the areas they touch.

i'm also trying to figure out how to do this myself... any more ideas are much appreciated

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

to the OP, some time with a body hammer and fender roller will make it look good as new.

[der affe]

spot gun will not do this! if your inner wheel house if jacked up you are pissing in the wind.

you are going to have to spend a little $ to buy the right tools, but you CAN do it yourself.

you are going to need a "pogo stick"
http://www2.northerntool.com/auto-re...tem-111276.htm
you are going to want the longer one than this.

and wheel arch puller or pullers (there are 2 sizes/shapes)
http://www2.northerntool.com/auto-re...tem-111274.htm
large

http://www.bosstoolsupply.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=12752

small

you then take the pogo stick and place the pad against the wheel run the chain from the stick to the qtr panel puller in the wheel arch and lean in to it. this will cause the wheel arch to pull out. repeat as needed.

THEN you may stud gun away. remember that the stud gun may only work on the outer panel where it is not welded to the inner wheel house (too strong) there is a good chance that the dent above the wheel opening will come along for the ride while you pull the opening and will disappear. then hammer/dolly until you are happy with the results and THIN coats of filler and finish with glaze and prime/paint.

good luck and let me know if you have any more questions.

Greg

[StereoInstaller1]

^tis a damn shame I don't live closer to Arizona.

Gregs stereo would kick ass and my car would look better...

[der affe]

yea, i know!

do you have a crushed rear qtr too?

[StereoInstaller1]

yea, i know!

do you have a crushed rear qtr too?

No, just a ripple or three, but the whole damn thing looks pretty shabby these days.

/threadjack