The Dodge Challenger Message Board

i just recently bought a 1971 challenger and got it for cheap because of this, hopefully not too big, problem. the passenger side inner fender panel is coming off of the firewall where it looked to be factory welded. the guy i bought it from roadraced it and must've crashed it hard for this to happen or maybe it's a common problem? i am going to tow it to several bodyshops getting estimates and find out what needs done to fix it but after what my brother went through w/bodyshops and his camaro i dont feel i can trust them. i need to know, has this happened to anybody else and if it did how was it fixed? can i re-weld it on, PROPERLY and with lots or precision or do i need to buy this piece from a junked car that is in better condition? when the car is sitting flat it looks as if the fender is drooping down because it is coming off of the firewall.
ANY help would be appreciated

Thanks,
Marc

Hard to give specific advise without being able to see it but...

I would cut it back to good metal, make sure the chassis is straight and level, then weld it all back in good and proper with new metal filling the gaps. Done well and it will be very hard to spot the repair.

I have had a few years practice with shaping metal and welding though. But then again I had to start somewhere.

i will take pictures tonight when i have a digital camera available. it's on the trailer and doesnt look as bad compared to when it's on jacks but still noticeable. if the compartments arent in the way on the trailer i will take a picture of the slant too.

lil problem. camera was horrible and couldnt focus at all. i am going to try and get ahold of another camera from my bro and post the pic(s) ASAP.

here are some links to just a few of the pictures i took of my little problem.

Yep! Time to lean to weld.

Doesn't look as bad as I thought it would. I would check the chassis is level and square just in case it was in some sort of accident that helped that bit come undone. But I think you will be ok to remove the outer fender, the hood and hinge, and clean that whole area back to bare metal. Only then will you be able to see the full extent but it is all repairable.

thanks dave, and that's just what i said about it being fixable. the guy from the bodyshop told us to take off the fender so we could get a better look at it and then decide whether we would need to replace the frame or fix it and reinforce it. when i have a chance to clear the area i will repost on what's happening w/it.

thanks.

Marc

i havent had a chance to get around to fixing it yet but i should get the garage sometime soon and i hope to do it then. planning on taking off the fender and fixing it from there but the only way my dad could tell (knows everything mechanical, nothing bodily) is by measuring up the fender to look right but w/it off we could see the extent of the damage and, i feel, weld it back to a very good state. i was wondering if anybody knows how i can measure it back to being normal again and then reimbracing it.
thanks,
Marc