Batt box rust repair on the Touring....

[MikeDE]

While installing my Trailer hitch, I saw this spot of rust starting on the rear valence. I jabbed it through to see how bad it was, then decided to do it while it was still easy to fix and didn't intrude on the upper part of the valence.


The offending spot after cutting it out.


Cleaned up and ready to fit the plate.


The plate fitted, squeezed between the sheetmetal of the valence and batt box to hold it tight up top.


And I have no welder, so I used the next best thing, 5-min Epoxy. Held it with the jack to make sure it stayed put while setting. After about 20 minutes I mixed up another batch and made sure it wouldn't go anywhere.




I went out this morning and put some underbody coating over it. It looks better in person, and from about 3ft it looks fine.


And for the hell of it, I also coated the rest of the bottom of the battery box. This stuff smells like shoe polish.


All in all, i'm happy with it. I will update once I repaint the black portion of the valence.

[TrentW]

Nice. I didn't know the battery tray was removable. Or is that just a Touring thing?

[5spoke]

Hillbilly.

[Van Westervelt]

The plastic tray is most definitely removable on all models.

Interesting take with the epoxy. Although not proper, I dont see an issue with it.

[ZM Blue Devil]

Tray is removable but like the vert the batter is up front on the tourings.

[325ix]

Looks like you did a great job. I have rust on the front of my rear valence in the wheel wells, should ba a pain...

[balooshinakus]

I just did a similar repair, although the entire area under the battery tray was rusted. I por-15'ed the entire thing and filled in the holes with JB weld putty. Definitely not a "proper" repair, but you can't see it unless you get under the car so meh, I just needed to keep water out.

[MikeDE]

Hillbilly.

Thank ya, and if ya want hillbillies, go to Bavaria.

Interesting take with the epoxy. Although not proper, I dont see an issue with it.

I have no welder, nor was I going to pay to use one at the garage. Epoxy is strong enough. This is my DD/parts hauler, and it's good enough for r3v.

I just did a similar repair, although the entire area under the battery tray was rusted. I por-15'ed the entire thing and filled in the holes with JB weld putty. Definitely not a "proper" repair, but you can't see it unless you get under the car so meh, I just needed to keep water out.

Had the hole been smaller, I would've used JB as filler.

[87-325ic]

i remember cutting out my entire front battery tray. that was hell.

that thing connects to everything up front, wheel well, shock tower, frame, passenger seat..

what a pita.


i got it welded back in and sprayed it down with undercoating.

all to hold a glovebox.