Quarter panel replacement

[Impatient '71]

So I'm trying to figure out what all I need to repair my passenger side quarter. At this point I've determined at a minimum I need a trunk gutter and am thinking I should also replace the quarter panel as well. At this point I'm not sure if I should replace the whole quarter or just do a partial quarter. Is there any benefit to replacing the whole quarter versus just the lower half? I'm assuming that the full quarter would make body work easier, but am open to suggestions.

 

[slimt]

what kind of car is it? you have a better set of pictures?

and yes . a Full quarter would be better in the long run..

 

[69bfan]

Without more pictures, it is a complete guess. Even pictures can be deceiving as paint or body filler hide issues. If in doubt, all of that needs to be removed. if the majority of the panel is sold, I had much rather have small patches fabricated and installed. But if you find rust on the outer panel, expect to find it in the trunk extensions or outer wheel houses. Certain body types have unique areas that are prone to rust. Check those areas and clean to bare metal if necessary to provide the best possible repair.

 

[moparnation74]

Maybe become a little more "patient" and describe the car and provide better pictures...

 

[Impatient '71]

The car is a 72 satellite. Other than the small bit of cancer around the window and a spot just in front of the wheel (see picture) the quarter isn't rusted out. At some point the car looks like it was hit and instead of repairing it they just bondo'd over it. This is why the gutter needs to be replaced as it bends outward causing the whole quarter after the impact site to sit about 1/4" out of where it should be. The impact site is about a foot square right below where the break is in the photo. Please let me know what pictures I could take to better visualize the issue.

 

[slimt]

That does help... Im sure that could be pulled back into place by a body shop.. that alignment can be fixed.. without replacement of parts.. are you in a area where a good body shop would have a frame puller? I dont think it would require alot to put it back into place.. how is the trunk floor in that area? and the back lower panel? see any buckles?

 

[63RedFury]

I would replace the whole quarter and be done with it. No more rust no more body damage no more worries.

 

[Demonic]

Better check availability before you make a cut...

 

[Impatient '71]

Slimt, I already did pull the panel back using a come along and body pulling clamp, which got half the panel back into alignment. My only though to save original sheet metal is to remove the gutter correct the shape, meaning a lot of hammer and dolly work, where the deck turns down and then weld it back into shape cutting some relief cuts for the quarter to be straightened out and then fixing the rust areas. My thought is that complete or partial panel replacement will be less costly and less time consuming than trying to repair the many ills that this panel has had. On the flip side I am interested in retaining as much original sheet metal as possible but I believe that I will have to much into trying to save the lower half of the panel to make it worth saving. My main question thus is what will turn out to be a better repair. My thought is that if I replace the whole panel I can imitate the factory welds and return the car to an as close to built as possible, while if I only do a half panel I save half the factory sheetmetal. As for panel replacements, I will be calling Restoration Parts Source tomorrow to ensure that they have the panels I need in stock and available for pickup as I am about an hour away from them and will not cut anything until I have the panels in hand.

 

[WileE]

That quarter panel looks repairable. Save as much original metal as possible. I've fixed worse quarters than that.

 

[Demonic]

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...4bbG7CJd5JDMqB4po64FPpVXXiEVLAKIaAl21EALw_wcB

 

[69bfan]

Even with a brand new replacement panel, until you test fit it, you will have no ideal of the issues that you may encounter. Replacement panels are great when there is no panel left due to rust or a severe hit. But be forewarned that most of these panels will take some tweaking to get them to work. Some of it can be relatively simple, but then again it may mean cutting to add or remove material to get proper alignment. The second thing is that just because one quarter fit well does not mean that the second will work as well. Most of these old cars had a rough life. Bodies have flexed and even the quality standards were not what they are today. That is the reason that I would rather cut a full replacement quarter up if at all possible to save an original quarter with the necessary panels. That is where a skilled craftsman needs to examine the quarter and offer suggestions with a hands on viewing of the car and the damage.