Arch removal horror story! With Pics!!!

[EvilScotsman]

Ok I decided to take off me arches cos I like the cal look (smooth lol.)

A complete shock awaited me when I removed the o/s/r arch....rust!!!

Heres before:



After:



The Arch of Horror:





Oh well, I suppose as well as full new brakes on the front end and a service its now going to have to get re-sprayed  

Oh and an exhaust. and tyres soon. Its turning into a bloody money pit! Glad the parts are cheap.

I might just paint the body kit tornado red same as the car and refit it after getting that arch cut out and replaced. Any views?

[EvilScotsman]

The front end is on stilts too! Is that normal?

And i forgot to mention it needs all the bushes replaced too......

[Len]

Somebody has done a very bad bodge on that arch! Shouldnt be any glue stuff!
Need some new metal in there mate!


Hoping I dont find something similar when I do the same to mine!

What door mouldings you putting back mate?

[EvilScotsman]

I dunno len, the swages in the body are quite wide so not sure if the cl types will look right?

My options are, cl sidestrips, no sidestrips and get the holes filled - leaving the channels as they are, or painting the full bodykit to match the car and refitting it....whatdya think mate?

and yeah im gonna get a rear quarter panel and get it cut out and welded in properly. I know a great panelbeater called "Tiv" who's got a few miles on his speedo like me (so he's not the fastest lol) but he does a great job. Undetectable as far as ive seen so he's my next port of call 

[Len]

I want the same as Carl has got on his. The GL ones but cant find em! Local VAG dealer dont keep em in stock so cant see if they the right ones!

Dont think it will look right with nothing in the channels.


Oh and NO your height aint right mate! Even mine is about an inch lower than yours and mine is high!

[EvilScotsman]

I know a couple of local scrappies personally so i'll go and have a look at some - will let ya know. I have found some breakers who want more than half price for a secondhand part for a mk3 like its gold plated just cos you need it, but these guys I know are sound so should be cheap.

If i find a couple of sets and theyre cheap enough I could try posting some down for you lol that'll give the postie something to think about!

your right it needs something in there anyway.

How could the front get higher than normal? I can imagine springs sagging but not getting taller lol

[vaughn]

my mate had this on his mk3 and found the garage had replaced the springs with the springs off of a mk3 diesel, worth checking or getting a couple from the scrappy

[EvilScotsman]

Good thinking mate. I'll check this out.

I want to lower it anyway but havent got the spare cash yet, 

[wmd_crash]

If your going to get it re-sprayed flash the side parts off so its completely flushed.

Might look cool.

[EvilScotsman]

Yeah  I thought about filling the side channels completely but dont know if the door channel would hold up to constant closing without cracking filler etc.

Might get a rubber strip bonded in then fibreglass it smooth. I found the steel arch panel at beavers body panels for £13! then inner is the same price. Would probably only take an hour or 2 to weld in but i'd have to paint the whole car.

The cost of the respray is whats bothering me, if i can get a decent job done for £200 or £300 quid its not so bad.