Rear wheel arch rust

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Pigeoncracker
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Rear wheel arch rust

Post by Pigeoncracker »

After lots of sparks, cutting my 1976 capri and crying, I'm at a little bit of a loss of what to do about this rust. It looks to have rotted away due to water getting in-between the inner and outer skin of my rear fender. The metal around the lip is fairly corroded and I'm inexperienced with body repair.
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What do you think the best solution for this is? Fender flares sound like a good option but the big problem is tracking down some that work (I'm US based). I think I read somewhere that Escort fender flares may work?

Otherwise I can try my hand at welding in a new inner and outer skin on the wheel arch and hope it doesn't look too bad. But if I do that, I wanted to ask you guys how to prevent this rust from appearing again. Where would water be getting in to it? Unless the rolled fender is collecting water in the lip?

Thank you for all your assistance!
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Re: Rear wheel arch rust

Post by widjetrevived »

Hi, don't think there's one right answer to this only opinions :D
you're never going to stop the rust, it's a fords best friend the only thing you can do is slow it down.
As far as I'm aware, water, road muck etc gets in under the lip of the wheel arch kicked up from the wheels, and thanks to the ledge it sets up home there and does it's business the best way to prevent is your favoured anti corrosion flexi stuff such as waxoyl or whatever is the latest, after I'd done the arches on my MK2 I ended up giving it a couple of coats of coach paint and giving it a good clean before putting it away
you might find it hard to source the inners, you may have to get something fabricated, the arches should be readily available they are in the uk, Magnum are ok: http://magnumclassicfordpanels.co.uk/ca ... 7.html?p=2

one thing I would do before welding them back on is give them a coat both sides with some zinc rich weld through:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265105196581 ... Swx-9gYZTh

Hope that helps

alternatively get your local body shop to do it

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stevemarl
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Re: Rear wheel arch rust

Post by stevemarl »

As above: I`d imagine you could use an outer arch panel to fabricate repair sections for the inner panel, the radii will be similar, then another to repair the outer.
As said, the build up of mud/salt/water on the ledge formed by the lip is probably main cause of corrosion, pressure washing (I have a lance with an angled `bent back` end which is perfect for getting behind the lip) is key to long term survival.
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Re: Rear wheel arch rust

Post by Peter-S »

Sadly a pretty common problem in a Capri, especially as they are getting on in years now. The proper answer to the problem you have is to cut the rust out and weld in new metal. The outer arch and lower rear section are readily available over here. If you have no experience of welding then I would ask a body shop for a price, they could probably fabricate the inner arch. It comes down to budget in the end but old cars will always need some money spent on them to keep them looking good.
If you get it properly fixed I would take out the boot liner, remove the membrane behind it and tip a liberal quantity of waxoyl or similar over the inside of the wheel arch and let it seep in to all the nooks and crannies. Do the other side as well.
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Re: Rear wheel arch rust

Post by Mc Tool »

Plus one for pouring something rust proofy over the inner wheel arch . I use fish oil and it goes all thru the sills , pillars and chasis. I use a garden mister nozzle on a piece of stiff alkathene ¼" tube, I thread tube thru where you want it to go , fit the nozzle ,turn on pump ( commersial dishwasher detergent pump ) and pull hose back thru slowish and twist the tube as you withdraw it so the nozzle flops about . If your capri has sound deadening foam behind the wheel arch/lower ¼ panel get rid of it 😁
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Pigeoncracker
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Re: Rear wheel arch rust

Post by Pigeoncracker »

Thank you for the advice!

I'm an alright welder and pretty good with an angle grinder but it's mostly been to keep my off-roaders somewhat road legal :D

Just never done it for cosmetics. I'll give it a shot and see what happens. Thanks for the tip on removing the boot liner I'll have to get back there and see what havok I can wreak with something to prevent the rust.

I'll keep this updated as I (inevitably) have more questions to ask!

Thank you!
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Re: Rear wheel arch rust

Post by Vermilion »

I have pretty much the same problem. I was thinking of doing same thing, but maybe a small wideing at the same time, so that tires won't throw dirt and sand at the same time. Problem is all widening stuff is glass fiber.... and that can be forgotten right a way.
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Re: Rear wheel arch rust

Post by Bug »

I used to always fill in the angle of the wheel arch lips with a thick grease. Yes it catches all the muck, but it stops moisture getting in there. Just clean out and replace at whatever frequency suits you. I used to do that every 6 months or so.
You can also use the same approach to fill up the water trap above the headlamp bowls so the wheels don't fling up all the crap that then gets stuck in there and rots the top of the wing.
I have to admit to 'acquiring' a large tin of Tornado axle grease to suit my needs, but I reckon any heavy duty grease would do.
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Re: Rear wheel arch rust

Post by Paul G »

If you're in The USA it may pay to try this mob http://www.teamblitz.com/

They may be able to get repair sections for you.
Pigeoncracker
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Re: Rear wheel arch rust

Post by Pigeoncracker »

Has anyone experimented with fender flares and might be able to point me to ones that could fit?

Could I just fill the rolled lip with fiberglass or body filler to prevent stuff from sitting in it?

I'll check out team blitz and swing them an email! I ordered the wheel arch panels but I don't know what I'm going to do about the inner skin. I'll have to just mock something out of sheet metal methinks.
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Bug
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Re: Rear wheel arch rust

Post by Bug »

Pigeoncracker wrote: Tue May 11, 2021 5:06 am Has anyone experimented with fender flares and might be able to point me to ones that could fit?

Could I just fill the rolled lip with fiberglass or body filler to prevent stuff from sitting in it?

I'll check out team blitz and swing them an email! I ordered the wheel arch panels but I don't know what I'm going to do about the inner skin. I'll have to just mock something out of sheet metal methinks.
A friend tried filling the lips with filler. After only a few months it started to crack and allow moisture to get in behind it.
That's why I went with grease instead.
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Re: Rear wheel arch rust

Post by stevemarl »

Bug wrote: Wed May 12, 2021 7:05 am A friend tried filling the lips with filler. After only a few months it started to crack and allow moisture to get in behind it.
That's why I went with grease instead.
:agree: Grease is much better, re-seals itself and creeps into any crevices/cracks. Plus, once a year you can just wipe it away and put fresh. Any seams under the floor which can`t be seen will also benefit from this.
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Re: Rear wheel arch rust

Post by Peter-S »

Bug wrote: Mon May 10, 2021 9:54 am I have to admit to 'acquiring' a large tin of Tornado axle grease to suit my needs
Past its 'use by' date no doubt :whistle:
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Re: Rear wheel arch rust

Post by Bug »

Peter-S wrote: Wed May 12, 2021 10:11 am
Bug wrote: Mon May 10, 2021 9:54 am I have to admit to 'acquiring' a large tin of Tornado axle grease to suit my needs
Past its 'use by' date no doubt :whistle:
Certainly is now mate!
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Re: Rear wheel arch rust

Post by 80s-new-man »

It’s 2-fold, crap getting up into the outer wheel arch inner, and moisture inside the double skinned arch, where it meets.
The best way is to take each side back wing trim out, and spay rustproofing solution in, then do same outside in the inner arches.
I use a mixture of dinitrol 4875, ziebart (from my late dad) and old engine oil.
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