So the front drivers side fender has started to detatch from the car. I’ve attached a picture, of someone else’s part, and circled the part that has, essentially rusted through. There’s really nothing left.

Does anyone have any suggestions that does not include taking it to a body shop? I have no welding skills or supplies.

Thanks.

 

Vee,

As that flange is effectively only giving an attachment of the wing to the top of the sill (rocker?) and isn't giving any structural strength, I think you could just cut that rusted flange and make up a short piece from sheet steel, drilled and painted and and use JBWeld to attach it to the wing, then refit the wing.

Good luck

Paul

 

Yes, I was also advised to use a marine grade adhesive, like SikaFlex 291 or 292.

I think adhesive is what I will use.

Now to deal with taking the panel off. I feel like I should address the rust on the inside. I have some POR15...I may use some of that to avoid this in the future...

...or I might just attempt to glue it in place and call it a day. Depends on the access.

 

Vee
Access is possible relatively easily, but the difficult bit is the attachment of the wing at the front lower part, between the bumper and the wheelarch. On pre-facelifts, anyway, this is a braised joint and cannot be unbolted.
If you look carefully at your photo, you will see there are attachment points at the top rear of the wing, near where the door top joins, this is bolted, like the bottom broken piece is, but is hard to get a spanner on, but it can be done. Then undo the wheelarch stone shields.
Then undoing the line of fixings along the gutter will just allow you to get the entire panel pulled outwards enough to get at the broken parts, leaving the braising still attached. Use a cord or something to stop the wing panel falling and twisting the panel where it remains attached.
Once the repaired bracket is done, there is good access to doing it up again from the wheelarch. Structural adhesives are a bit of a bodge, a decent repair would be better in the long term, I feel. Any decent mobile welder could do the repair with the panel access outlined here.
Also you may probably find that the sill the panel bracket screws to is rusted, and this way a repair can be welded into that too.
A couple of pics of this area, from my rebuild some years ago, attached.

 

Aren't pictures wonderful?

Thank you so much for sharing. This panel has been previously replaced, so the braze haas been previously cut. (Facelifts have the same braze connection)

I'll let you know what happens!