Trunk rust

[Billyj]

good day

I have a rusted area in my 1876 2002 trunk that I must repair. I am familiarity the spare tire and gas tank areas and have order that replacement metal. My problem is the rectangular forward area between the shock towers. I have queried the usual suppliers without success. Any previous experience/ ideas?

thanks

[Mike Self]

Are you referring to the metal floor panel between the shock towers that's level with the plywood panels that form the trunk floor?  If so, that's a somewhat unusual place for an 02 to rust--it's usually the inner rear wheel arches and the spare tire well--the former from salt exposure and the latter from a leaking rear window seal/trunk lid gasket.

 

Pictures would help greatly.  

 

mike

[Billyj]

Yes- I was very surprised to see rust here. Very little rust elsewhere on this car.

[BarneyT]

No repair panel I know of for that area, cut out that area from another car or just fill it in with a flat piece of 16 gauge or 14 gauge metal. That’s not a normal place that the cars rust. Somethings sat there wet… I would make a quarter inch plywood panel and cover it with the gray elephant skin vinyl to cover that area after the repair.

Edited December 24, 2023 by BarneyT

[Billyj]

Thanks BarneyT

Merry Christmas!

[Mike Self]

What Barney said.  Never seen rust there before!

 

mike

[doog]

Was a battery installed in the trunk at one time?

[Conserv]

38 minutes ago, doog said:

Was a battery installed in the trunk at one time?

And leaked… 🤔

 

Very localized rust-through in a very unusual location!

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[Billyj]

Merry Christmas to all

thank you for the feedback

i cannot shel any light on this? PO did a good job of disguising this with bondo and paint - unfortunately.

[Mike Self]

6 hours ago, Billyj said:

PO did a good job of disguising this with bondo and paint - unfortunately.

If that's the worst of the rust on your car...it's a Christmas miracle!

 

mike

[Henning]

On 12/24/2023 at 7:09 PM, Billyj said:

good day

I have a rusted area in my 1876 2002 trunk that I must repair.

And heeyy...

We're talking about a nearly 150 year old car here. Let's be generous.

 

henn

 

[Billyj]

Thanks again all

sourced a replacement piece from a donor car. To go along with the welding in of both side trunk repair panels.

[gruizer]

On 12/24/2023 at 3:51 PM, BarneyT said:

No repair panel I know of for that area, cut out that area from another car or just fill it in with a flat piece of 16 gauge or 14 gauge metal. That’s not a normal place that the cars rust. Somethings sat there wet… I would make a quarter inch plywood panel and cover it with the gray elephant skin vinyl to cover that area after the repair.

That’s what I did and it turned out just fine.