I'd think the easiest thing is a sawzall and a junkyard Or form some metal yourself depending what is damaged (if it is the lip/wheel well area that would be a PITA to make out of sheet steel)
Does the German supplier happen to be Skandix? If so they have a US distributor @ www.skandix-us(a?).com (not sure about the "a"). if they have the panel in their inventory, they will send it to the US distributor on a special request through the US website..
Does the German supplier happen to be Skandix? If so they have a US distributor @ www.skandix-us(a?).com (not sure about the "a"). if they have the panel in their inventory, they will send it to the US distributor on a special request through the US website..
Here is my little story on the wheel well repair.. Hope you like it..
After not being successful getting a repair panel for the wheel well I decided to go with fiberglass. Following some pictures how I did the repair. I need to say that I haven't done this before so that might be something totally normal for some others... nevertheless I was proud how it turned out...
First the surprise: big hole after finding lots of old fiberglass ...
2. Reinforce with fiberglass and close the hole
3. Preparations for making a fiberglass mold using the existing wheel well
- Tape it up
- Use fiberglass mat and resin to construct the mold. Making sure it get's the form correctly..
4. Take off the mold and cut it to size so it fits the rosted out section..
5. Use fiberglass to put the mold in place..
6. Use filler and sand it down until it get's the shape
Here is my little story on the wheel well repair.. Hope you like it..
After not being successful getting a repair panel for the wheel well I decided to go with fiberglass. Following some pictures how I did the repair. I need to say that I haven't done this before so that might be something totally normal for some others... nevertheless I was proud how it turned out...
Thank you! I painted myself, but it took me 2 times to get it right (running paint ;oops:..). The paint no. 228 matched pretty good... Nevertheless I still got a little orange peel look which I will sand down with grid 1500/2000 and polish afterwards (found that on the internet..) but I need to wait at least 3 weeks to have the paint cure properly. That gives me time to work on all the other "non-working" stuff like A/C, dashboard lights etc...
Hi, my T16 is developing a similar rear arch problem. Does anyone know if a repair panel is available from SAAB or an independent manufacturer in the UK?
I could cut a section off a donor vehicle I have but I am not reafy to start cutting into yet.
Instead of cutting up your car, do as you see in this thread.
Fiberglass patch kits are available anywhere.
Fiberglass is easy to shape and is a lot easier than cutting and welding.
With a little patience(and some practice on something you don't care about), you might surprise yourself with the results.
Ahh I have been educated. I can see how the panel can be significantly weakened. Without crash testing cars like this, I'm not sure if it would affect safety. The crumble region is still going to absorb energy. Also, the impact would have to favor that side of the body. In the end it is still better than air and rusting metal.
Well looks like my apparently simple question prompted an interesting and useful debate. Thanks to those who replied and thanks for the link. In my opinion the wheel arch is structural though the 2 inches that I am concerned with might be marginal in the event of a shunt. However I think metal is always better than fibreglass and as I hope to keep the car (mind you the nearside floor had to be welded for the last MOT) I would rather obtain the correct replacemnt apnel or cut from the donor car which is beyond saving and wil lbe going to a scrapyard soon.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
SaabCentral Forums
3M posts
119.2K members
Since 2001
SaabCentral forum the most comprehensive Saab resource on the internet. Join our discussions on the Saab 9-3, Saab 9-5, Saab 900, Saab 9000 and all other Saab models, choose your forum.