Spare wheel well repair

I've tried to keep things looking as original as possible without using a pizza slice from another car. Welds are going to be hidden on the outside by seam sealer etc but I wanted to get the inside of the well looking nice and neat. I welded from the under side of the car so I didn't have to create a load of dust, muck and sparks. The interior is still in the car and I didnt want to burn it.










I'm planning to make a new bit to join the rear panel to it today

looking good mate

good work. it's a damn sight better than the abortion that someone did to mine.  8)

som nice welding there by the looks of things.  

I need almost the exact some thing on mine.  

Nicely done Ross, very neat :y:

Tis a thing of beauty Ross

Cheers

Rich

Ta very much guys

Finished it off this evening. Got to wack a load of seam sealer/underseal stuff on it then paint it black when I do the rest of the rear panel.

i need to do the exact repair on mine, i think that will be my next job, i hope mine comes out as good as that

Nice work mate.  I've the same problem with my new shell that I,ve just bought.  Luckily enough it,s only that and the rear O/S lower wheel arch panel that needs replacing.  Not like the shell that I,ve just given up on, the only bit on it that didn't need welding was the spare wheel well.

i like the drain holes on the rear plate   very tidy

Nice panel work Ross :y:. This is the car you were doing the arches on recently? Much else to do welding wise?

Cheers

Cheers chaps

I'm very sloooowly moving round the car doing the rust. Its mainly the rear arches I took it off the road for. One down and one to go The drivers rear arch is probably worse than the passenger side was, but hopefully it wont take me so long now I know what I'm doing. I've never done arch repairs before.
Also that side are a couple of other spots, like the seatbelt mount. It's been welded before but I want to check it out to see how good it is.
There are a couple of bubbles around the windscreen, holes from a spoiler to weld up on the boot lid, sunroof drain hole to repair (not too bad), and a section of sill on the passenger side front to look at.

The front panel is pretty ropey and I might change it. It all depends on personal circumstances. I might be moving out of the parent's house soon so may have to get it back on the road and get rid of it  I defo wont be able to afford a house with a garage in Devon. However I've spoken to the Auto department at the college I work at. They might be able to finish it off for me. I'm a bit dubious about letting students loose on it though! They are just getting a new spray booth set up ready for September and the bodyshop manager is into VWs

Nice work there mate. I had the same-ish thing done to mine when the shell was re-sprayed. The rear valance was also replaced. However, the guy didn't weld that plate that connects the wheel well to the bottom of the rear valance. What is its purpose and is it really needed?

Cheers,
D

Cheers The plate stops the rear panel from flexing at all. I'm not sure it's totally essential and its is a bit of a rust trap.
The only benefit I can think of is so provide extra stength in a small knock up against something. I'm sure a ding without it would be more serious/noticeable. An original rear panel is still pretty thin.
I think flexing could also be potentially noticeable at speed without it. Have you ever seen those Mondeo bumpers waggle away on the motorway? The flexing could lead to fatigue in the rear panel around the other spot welds and maybe split seam sealer and let in water/rust.

The plate is slightly thicker steel than the rear panel or wheel well.

Thanks Ross. May just see how it goes and keep an eye on the area when it eventually gets on the road  :roll:

BTW is the bracket available separately and how much does it roughly cost?

Regards,
D

It is a separate panel. Not sure what the part number is but it was available a while ago I think. I just made mine up.

not available from vw for sure.

crazyquiff's panel has one already attached!  

nice work, I have the same job to do for a friends mk1 (not doing to later in this year) be interested to know if this is still available as part to buy instead of making up (save a little time!)

I have a complete rust free sparee wheel well tub - and I mean rust free