Discovery 2 Wheel Arch Rust

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G

Gingerbread

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I have discovered a rusty patch behind the front wheel arch liner. The plastic liner is a terrible design that seems to trap dirt and rust behind the liner.
My question is what should be done to remedy this? How can I stop the rust? Is it hard to replace the panel? Is there any long term fixes for this design flaw?
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Gingerbread said:
I have discovered a rusty patch behind the front wheel arch liner. The plastic liner is a terrible design that seems to trap dirt and rust behind the liner.
My question is what should be done to remedy this? How can I stop the rust? Is it hard to replace the panel? Is there any long term fixes for this design flaw?
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The place you really need to look at is the rear of the wheel arch where it joins the bulkhead, that is a serious rustrap!
I've just had to have both sides on mine done!
It's steel it rusts, it is a simple as that.
Give it a good clean then treat it with a good rust treatment substance containing phosphoric acid. See where that leaves you. You may be able to get away with just painting it but if it is seriously thin or perforated you may need to get pathses welded in
I have no idea if there are replacement panels, but if there are you could just put new ones on.
Best of luck
 
As @Stanleysteamer said! Check the area between the arch and bulkhead? On both sides, you will need to move away the dampener to view the area??

As for panels? Have a look at eBay? As there are some on there for numerous prices 🤔

Also we have both just done welding around those areas.

Kev
 

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That's a very neat job. Is that red oxide primer you used? I never know which id best. zinc etch or red oxide.
Mine in the bulkhead area is sound with no rust. Jus the area behind the plastic liner near the abs pump. I'll take some more photos tomorrow.

Another question: what is the best coating to use in the wheel well? I feel I need the thickest and most chip resistant coating product. What is the thick gummy stuff used by the factory?
 
Yes the red is some kind of oxide primer. It says it prevents rust to advance, when applied to metal. I have been using it as a primer to the bare steel after doing welding. On top is just multiple layers of rock chip preventive spray.

Both of these products are spesific for my location in Finland, so there's probably no benefit to share links to the products. Unless you live here too :)
 
Heres the view of the wheel well showing the bulkhead. It looks fairly good but some early signs of rust around the top edge. Note the black plastic bungs I have added to seal off the random holes. There's actually a remaining hole that I was wondering if it should be kept open for drainage?

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Looks quite good. There is some bubbling on the inner top corner which I would dig out and see how far has it gone. But probably no holes yet.
 
@Gingerbread Have you checked the other areas mentioned! If you have? Good or Bad!!

As for that 'Weep Hole'! No, leave it alone, unless you have changed the metalwork around the Arch/Bulkhead!

Kev
 
I took the arch liner out. Not good. What is the collective wisdom on this situation? Is it case of cutting out the rot and welding in a patch? Or perhaps a new wheel arch part entirely? I am not just aiming to keep the vehicle alive to pass MOTs, rather preserve a good example of a classic car.

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That's doable 😂😊
Same areas as mine??

Kev
 

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chassis looks good..

Bulkhead is a terrible rust trap, both my sides went, up and around the steering shaft too ;)

best to have a gander under the brake servo too, ;)
 
DOes anyone know what this part does and where it fits? Its a "baffle" inside the left wing. I suspect it baffles the air intake deflecting water but I cant for my life figure how it fits in??

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Not many ppl have done anything with it as yet!

I think your going to have to figure this one out yourself!
As in the description! Between the 'Front Fender and inner wing'

Sorry it's not much help


Kev
 
OK. I think I have figured it out. Its a water baffle I believe. It helps with wading, deflecting a wave from surging into the intake hole. I don;t know this for sure but looking at its design, foam seals and its shape and positioning relative to intake, it certainly seems like its the case. Here is how it fits into the wing/inner wing cavity....


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