Installing Wheel Arches

[johnbuckley]

I have new rear wheel arches coming from IAP. Has anyone installed these and do you have any advice on securing them in place and the bodywork that goes along with them? Appreciate any advice. Thanks

[red107]

I had mine done at a auto restoration place. Some body shops just replace and paint. The fiat is a uni-body and if your not doing it yourself find a local shop that has a great rep!!!

[johnbuckley]

Good advice. Thanks

[brunorahl]

It's a pain. The rear inner fender is welded to the outer fender. It requires cutting the old fender and stamping a lip into it. Placing the new arch into the lip and welding it to the car. Then filling in any gap along the outer fender and block sanding it till any wave from the welding heat is gone. Paint the fender and put the undercoating inside the wheel well. Also, priming or painting from the trunk area and rear seat area. That last part is what most shops neglect and is why they rust again so quickly.

[velozi]

If you are talking about replacing a rusted rear wheel arch, I bought the part online and took it to a Maaco. They cut the old part out, welded the new one in, rust proof and primmed the area before painting.

You can see some details of the work here http://www.myfiat124.com/part2.html

[theProdikalSon]

If you are talking about replacing a rusted rear wheel arch, I bought the part online and took it to a Maaco. They cut the old part out, welded the new one in, rust proof and primmed the area before painting.

You can see some details of the work here http://www.myfiat124.com/part2.html

Nice work on your fiat! The paint job looks amazing!
This is exactly what I need to do on my fiat! Is it possible to remove all arches? I was wondering about welding on straight arches to create a more modern look.

Here is a shot of the rusted wheel arch I am dealing with:

[v6spider]

I have the same issue with my spider on the two lower corners of the driver-side rear quarter panel. I have a wheel arch repair panel, but I am going to just cut out the rusted parts first and take a look. I may only do the corners of the wheel arches if the internal damage can be removed in that manner. Otherwise i may replace the whole thing if it is rusted internally.

BTW I was on the house of kolor website last night I looked at a kandy green color called Organic Green. It is base-coat clear-coat urethane and i may do it instead of the Color scheme I mention previously. i have nothing but my spare moments to work on this car so i don't need to rush. I think it would look b@d*ss with that color. And keep me further away from the traditional thing.

Cheers!
rob