Tin Worm. Suggestions please

[nicky4tl]

Hi,
Im afraid I need some advice on how best to proceed. My 83 r4tl body is looking rough after i started prodding around at the back. Ive put some images here.

http://www.renault4.co.uk/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/518

Its a very clean car apart from this , no welding, serviced regularly since new obout 90000 miles as far as i recall.

This car is stored dry in a garage but I was hoping to get it out for a spin in the summer. I have 2 new all sprayed up rear wings ready to go on but am wondering how the damage in the pictures should be fixed. Im hoping the rust hasnt progressed through into the chassis and this is what i really want to avoid.

any suggestions you could offer would be great.
thanks folks
Nicky

 

[bantamallan]

Those bits are just bodywork which can be patch welded, but if the body is bad it's likely that there is rust in the rear chassis legs. Get underneath and have a good look around. A good pressure wash first will clear any muck and you can see whats going on.
best of luck
Allan

 

[nicky4tl]

Thanks allan. right so. A power wash and a good poke around underneath for starters.

I was thinking I'd try to remove the body and fuel tank from the chassis but leave the everything else, engine, suspension etc in place. Then I could get the body fixed up and clean up any spots on the chassis. Does this sound like a plausible thing to do or am i mad?

Anyone got an idea of how long it would take to get the body and fuel tank off the car and what order should i proceed in? Would i need any special tools for this? Any advice would be great thanks.

 

[bantamallan]

Takes about 1/2 a day to get the body off, depending how rusty all the bolts are. Just undo anything that connects the body to chassis, electrics, brake pipes, steering column, bolts all round the body, remove the inner and outer wings, then jack under the rear body with a plank to spread the load and let the chassis fall off the body. Renault used some very sticky stuff to join them
the body can be lifted by 2 people, easier if you take off the doors
have fun
Allan

 

[malcolm]

I'd leave the body on the chassis unless I wanted to do some serious repairs on the front or rear of the chassis side members. Those sections should be accessibile with the body in place, and as soon as you remove the body you'll start thinking about other bits to do at the same time and will be sucked in to a full restoration.

At least that's what always happens with me when I start thinking about unbolting the shell.

 

[nicky4tl]

thanks for that info re pullin the body off. I guess I'll give it a really good clean for now and if i dont find any very serious issues just get a patch up done. I suppose with the rear quarter panels off i should be able to get the holes in the body welded up, painted and hopefully sealed up well enough.

Cant wait to get it back on the road for a spin MAkes me feel like Im on holidays even when Im poppin out for the milk.