Rusty inner wheel arch

[DaveM89]

Hi guys.
I've recently acquired a second Caribbean blue rev3, originally to use it to 'renovate' my first rev3, which is in parts waiting for me to get round to sill repairs... Suspension and brakes have all been overhauled but a few bits left to get on with...

Anyway, when I first got it, the exterior looked in better condition than my original, had good condition leather seats, new Ebc brakes all round etc and the sills had been done, so for £300 I thought why not! I couldn't face breaking a relatively faultless car so decided to get it back on the road...

During this I've found some fairly common rot (boot mainly, inner arches etc). I've had a go at welding some bits up, but have come accross a fairly scary hole!!
The only way I can explain is the uppermost inner arch, sort of near the rear suspension turret and mount? It's on the vertical outer face coming up to the mount, probably 3 inch square hole. I'm guessing this is a definite MOT fail as its probably classed as suspension structure!

I'm a beginner at welding, and feel out of my depth now, but budget and my eagerness mean I'd like to have a go! Anyone have any advice/ideas? Try and fix or scrap?

Thanks, sorry for the essay...

[bobhatton]

Hi guys.
I've recently acquired a second Caribbean blue rev3, originally to use it to 'renovate' my first rev3, which is in parts waiting for me to get round to sill repairs... Suspension and brakes have all been overhauled but a few bits left to get on with...

Anyway, when I first got it, the exterior looked in better condition than my original, had good condition leather seats, new Ebc brakes all round etc and the sills had been done, so for £300 I thought why not! I couldn't face breaking a relatively faultless car so decided to get it back on the road...

During this I've found some fairly common rot (boot mainly, inner arches etc). I've had a go at welding some bits up, but have come accross a fairly scary hole!!
The only way I can explain is the uppermost inner arch, sort of near the rear suspension turret and mount? It's on the vertical outer face coming up to the mount, probably 3 inch square hole. I'm guessing this is a definite MOT fail as its probably classed as suspension structure!

I'm a beginner at welding, and feel out of my depth now, but budget and my eagerness mean I'd like to have a go! Anyone have any advice/ideas? Try and fix or scrap?

Thanks, sorry for the essay...

Just cut a plate and weld it on

[fingers99]

Pic would help.

While I'd not recommend it long term (they always rot out) a simple plating job would ease it through the MOT.

Practice butt welding on similar gauge steel? Essentially, all you're doing (to do a proper job) is making up a plate to fit the hole (and a bit extra) cutting round it and welding up the seam.

[old bones]

1, remove the rotten metal
2, remove paint work were your welding if you have mig welder
3, nice fresh metal for your patch,
4, take your time in welding it completely
5, paint it don't slap under seal on it, incase mot tester a bit picky,
6, mot test book says anything with in 30cm of a stress point is a failure
7, have a practice on some spare metal, setting your wire speed and gas
8, good luck

[DaveM89]

Hi guys thanks for you helpful replies.
As the weather was nice I decided to have a go and make up a repair patch. With a bit of guidance from my dad with the welding I think it went okay, definitely an improvement anyway!
I'll try and upload some photos soon.
And you're both right, practice is key! I took more time setting it up than actually making the repair piece and putting it in!
Will update with pictures in the next few days.
Thanks for your help!

[dylan5084]

Getting the settings right is key with mig welding, push the trigger and go really...

[Torero]

It's the same with anything you do -preparation is everything - it's the attention to detail that dictates the standard of the finished job.

Well done matey, looking forward to seeing the pics