As title says u can get rocker panels of auto doc for 30 odd pound anyone tackled anything like that? 

How much of the sill rusty? Do you need to replace the whole thing?

 

should be a pretty straight forward job. Not sure how the Fabia is actually structured floor panels wise but I would have thought 

- remove trim and carpet from that side of the car

- possibly drop the doors off for easier access to the top of the panel

- remove wheels and have the car securely mounted

- drill out all the old welds, I assume the panels will have been sealed as well so possibly a heat gun and get the sealer off

- clamp new panel in place, spot weld into place

- remove clamps, apply new sealer 

- prep and paint

- refit doors and trim

 

main thing when we used to do the minis was always reducing chance of fire like we would remove the seats and get the carpet wiring etc all out of the way and covered with fire blankets and then remove the doors and wheels.

 

anyone with more experience with Fabias will probably be able to tell you more.

4 hours ago, mikey362 said:

How much of the sill rusty? Do you need to replace the whole thing?

 

should be a pretty straight forward job. Not sure how the Fabia is actually structured floor panels wise but I would have thought 

- remove trim and carpet from that side of the car

- possibly drop the doors off for easier access to the top of the panel

- remove wheels and have the car securely mounted

- drill out all the old welds, I assume the panels will have been sealed as well so possibly a heat gun and get the sealer off

- clamp new panel in place, spot weld into place

- remove clamps, apply new sealer 

- prep and paint

- refit doors and trim

 

main thing when we used to do the minis was always reducing chance of fire like we would remove the seats and get the carpet wiring etc all out of the way and covered with fire blankets and then remove the doors and wheels.

 

anyone with more experience with Fabias will probably be able to tell you more.

Few rust bubbles on rocker panel both sides but jacking points where pinch welds our all bent doesn’t look tidy 

If they are just rust bubbles then I’d have a go with a wire brush first and see what the damage is. If there is still good metal underneath then put some rust preventer on it. Get them painted as soon as possible after.

 

Is the pinch weld seem rusted or does it still look okay? If you replace the rocker panel you’ll have to straighten up the other panel to weld them together so if it’s not coming apart I’d have ago at straightening it up first. Mole grips with some card board taped to them should give you a soft but strong grip and be able to pull it back straight one bit at a time. If it is rusted and falling apart then by all means replace it.

 

I suppose what I’m saying is if you’ve got the experience time and can weld then you could by all means for the cost of the rocker panels just replace them prep and paint them. Otherwise save yourself a fair bit of money by getting rid of the surface rust and just straighten the seam and paint.

 

The metal will still be strong your just maintaining it . 

 

 

 

I think these foot boards are just stick on cosmetic covers like those that come with the SE as standard.

36 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

I think these foot boards are just stick on cosmetic covers like those that come with the SE as standard.

 

See said someone with more Fabia experience would know better haha 

4 hours ago, mikey362 said:

If they are just rust bubbles then I’d have a go with a wire brush first and see what the damage is. If there is still good metal underneath then put some rust preventer on it. Get them painted as soon as possible after.

 

Is the pinch weld seem rusted or does it still look okay? If you replace the rocker panel you’ll have to straighten up the other panel to weld them together so if it’s not coming apart I’d have ago at straightening it up first. Mole grips with some card board taped to them should give you a soft but strong grip and be able to pull it back straight one bit at a time. If it is rusted and falling apart then by all means replace it.

 

I suppose what I’m saying is if you’ve got the experience time and can weld then you could by all means for the cost of the rocker panels just replace them prep and paint them. Otherwise save yourself a fair bit of money by getting rid of the surface rust and just straighten the seam and paint.

 

The metal will still be strong your just maintaining it . 

 

 

 

I’ll take photos of both sills 

12 hours ago, mikey362 said:

How much of the sill rusty? Do you need to replace the whole thing?

 

should be a pretty straight forward job. Not sure how the Fabia is actually structured floor panels wise but I would have thought 

- remove trim and carpet from that side of the car

- possibly drop the doors off for easier access to the top of the panel

- remove wheels and have the car securely mounted

- drill out all the old welds, I assume the panels will have been sealed as well so possibly a heat gun and get the sealer off

- clamp new panel in place, spot weld into place

- remove clamps, apply new sealer 

- prep and paint

- refit doors and trim

 

main thing when we used to do the minis was always reducing chance of fire like we would remove the seats and get the carpet wiring etc all out of the way and covered with fire blankets and then remove the doors and wheels.

 

anyone with more experience with Fabias will probably be able to tell you more.

Few rust bubbles on rocker panel both sides but jacking points where pinch welds our all bent doesn’t look tidy 

To be honest I’d attack the rust bubbles with a wire brush and see whats underneath.  I’m pretty sure that’s much all surface stuff from paint chips looking at the photos.

 

The pinch welds are a bit of a mess, I mean they’re never the prettiest things but it depends how perfect you want them. I’d have go at straightening them.

 

If your up to it get a wire wheel attachment for a drill and some goggles, jack it up and start gently wire brushing the rust bubbles until all the rust is gone and your down to bare metal. Use rust protection on the bare metal. Obviously ware a long sleeve top, gloves and the goggles as the wires from the brush will hurt.

 

after that get it painted ASAP. With the pinch weld try what I said before and if your not happy talk to where ever your going to get it painted they should be able to get it better.

 

Hope this helps, the wire brushing shouldn’t take more than s coupld if hours and the pinch welds depend how perfect you want them lol.