Panel removal

[mriz]

Does anyone have any advice on how to get the back of the rocker panel out of the dog leg? Or plan B , cut it off even and weld?

Thanks

[kenz240z]

I haven't looked at that area of a Z car, but here are my thoughts:

Look for the factory spot welds and use a spot weld cutter, either the drill bit type or the hole cutter type. Then use a nibbler, air saw, shears, etc... to make any cuts across the sheet metal. If you are removing a complete section you should only have to remove the spot welds to get the part off the car.

Of course, finding the spot welds can be tricky, especially in areas under the car that may have an undercoating...this would have to be removed so you can feel the metal for small depressions. A bit of sandpaper can often help. Sand over the suspected seam area and look for low spots that the sand paper hasn't touched. Then drill 'em out.

Kenny P.

[2ManyZs]

The end of the rocker panel goes behind the "dog leg", therefore no access to the spot welds. Unless you plan on doing the dog leg at the same time, you'll have to cut the rocker and weld it at the dog leg seam.

Beware, if the rocker is rusted to the point you need to replace it, chances are there is more rust behind the dog leg. If that continues to rust, it will end up rusting through the inner wheel housing, and then you are faced with replacing yet another body panel. And the inner fender is not an easy one to replace.

[hls30.com]

2manyZs is right on, I cut out more than I thought need to be in order to have access to repair what couldn't be seen-turns out it was a good thing! Tough repair, but done once and done right!

Will

[mriz]

Thanks for the info. You guys always have the answers to the problems the books don't mention. When I got the dogleg off the rust haden't made it to the inner steel yet. I did have to remove the entire dog leg to do it right . Not fun at all getting to those spot welds. Flat chisel and box of bandaids. Only the bottom around the wheel area needs attention. Should be able to weld up the rocker and dogleg next weekend.

Thanks again