wheel arch replacement - dilemma

[Bongo Sully]

Hi all,

always grateful for the advice and great community spirit on this site. My next question/project: am hopefully in the next month going to have the rear arches replaced (have found a decent welder and sprayer - not in the same place unfortunately.)

However, welder tells me; best if I take out the upholstery immediately behind the arches (you know the plastic trim etc I mean?)

Is this correct - assume there is a risk to this (burning) when welding the new arches in place (plus you might get a better indication of the state of the inner arch/skin?)

Replacement arch radius - just read that the 'AV' ones are a pretty good match - does anyone have experience of these, and are they pretty close without lots of faffing/phaffing??

Advice always appreciated (this project not as straightforward as I was naively hoping!)

thanks

[winchman]

I would remove all trim just in case, its a good opportunity to give it a good spring clean too

[Gasy]

And you can give inside the panels a good coating of waxoyl

[Bongo Sully]

OK - thanks. next question; how easy is it to remove the trim - are there any 'instructions' (for want of a better phrase) - do I start at the sliding door bay, or from the tailgate end?
Do you take it off from the window or from the floor?
I know questions, questions - sorry!

[philpdr]

Seem to remember from when I did my conversion that you start at the back,if you use the search function all the info is there.There's a member on here called Kloonsy who has a bodyshop in Barnsley and also sells arches.

[wonkanoby]

seem to recall previous advise to make sure its warm

as plastic clip bits break if cold

[dom_e]

Buy a trim removal tool. I broke most of the clip plastic sections just pulling them away. I then had to make new ones using L section alu, rivets and some imagination!

[mikeonb4c]

Buy a trim removal tool. I broke most of the clip plastic sections just pulling them away. I then had to make new ones using L section alu, rivets and some imagination!

Not heard of them before. Are they expensive?

[helen&tony]

Hi Mike...
Colossally dear ...just fibbing...check e-bay!
Cheers
Helen

[mikeWalsall]

I use one of these ..

[Bongo Sully]

OK - have now bought a trim removal tool.

Going back to the 'AV' arch replacements - has anybody used them? (obviously want as close a fit as poss!)

How good are the ones from Barnseley Autopanels?

Cheers

[mikeWalsall]

I 'believe' the ones that are the most popular are for the Mercedes sprinter ..

But there are several variations of repair panels on eBay ..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from= ... =&_sacat=0

[cmm303]

How good are the ones from Barnseley Autopanels?

Cheers

I used Sprinter arches from Barnsley Autopanels. Sent PM to avoid publicly airing supplier assessment.

[samuel]

Just stripped the back out of mine for welding round wheel arches. Its pretty straightforward and no panel removal tools used. A socket set and Phillips screwdriver should do it. Maybe handy to have a pal to assist in removing the seats. I didn't and they are not that heavy to slide out. Seats take up quite a bit of space out of the vehicle so make sure that is allowed for.

Remove the seats. Fold up seats have nuts underneath the plastic covers which pull off to reveal nuts. Sliding seats - pull-off plastic covers on corners of seats to reveal 4 nuts. That's all that holds them in. Remove seats. You now have plenty of room to work in.

Seat belts - unbolt at base and hang from trim out of way.

Pull rear side panels away from bodywork and remove. Move forward to middle panel and pull from rear. You can just pull these away from the rear. They don't need to come out.

I didn't remove the carpets oddly enough but if you want to be extra safe then take these out.

There are a couple of plastic panels in the rear corners which should come out as well.

Please note. This is what I did and this is to be taken purely an overview. I may have missed something out. The idea is to get it across that its not that daunting a task. Anybody good at DIY can do it. If it can burn and its is in the proximity of welding then it must be removed to prevent a fire.

[Bongo Sully]

OK lots of common sense advice (when you know how) - thanks everyone - any other tips, please feel free to add.

Thanks