Wheel House / Inner/Outer Arch Advice

[Japtastic]

I have another thread on my R32 GTR restore but I think this question deserves its own thread/attention.

I started remaking the wheelhouse but stopped as I'm not sure the right way to do this, although I'm sure there is more than one way to achieve it.

The main issue is that no inner wheelhouse parts can be purchased, either official Nissan, 3rd party replicas or 2nd hand. The same goes for the outer arch which I find quite mad considering most other classics of this age have these replica parts available!

So I have to make it myself. Now, the main question I have at the moment is about the wheelhouse structure and if I can do it the way I started or if I need to add the extra lip I've omitted at the moment.

Originally, the inner wheelhouse had a right angle at the bottom of this piece marked and the same goes for the outer arch, this then joined together with, I presume, seam sealer and spot welds. The old wheelhouse and arch were so badly corroded with a botched repair done before that I've got nothing to work from.

If I need this extra lip, I'll do it, but if not, I won't as it adds extra work and complexity to an already time-consuming job, not to mention my lack of skill with metal fab at the moment. My other thought is that my current way may be a benefit for rust prevention in the future as there will be no seam for moisture to get trapped in which was the reason this failed the first time around.

So, can I do it the way I started or do I need that extra lip on the inner arch? I will of course have the lip on the outer arch...

Sorry if I've explained this badly but hopefully someone gets what I mean!

 

[Shedendman]

Look into getting yourself a shrinker stretcher

https://www.amazon.co.uk/KASTFORCE-KF5005-Shrinker-Stretcher-Capacity/dp/B08CQVXR4H/ref=sr_1_13_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fnR6rvveiKrM00YcvZzBc10hzq-yWy8Nsq7IcmHj1FkZBSzWzDXpJfTm4l2J595n6UrLB4ENwlyiFVGhYJVxSWlwdK_i_lOHLYRojmwcLphGCh7tIR86VWl62L_1FQDNa39rnObFEpEc2lJmpCqL0ZMpe7bI17IcdijxtkwIljzx1s2mCJa9G_XZrX9JK3B4gbi1812K550IQ9DJCXAmi7TLGFVqWixj0o5wMvRRAfjmtu7w6uISbHcFIeHDy452gZBlxb6NX2T_Qlp5zWc5oevIXCVK0nKjiyHBBFhXJ8o.GB62xC7fzUn94hb6ui71THpiC9jRJnJNSQa0KybIxoY&dib_tag=se&keywords=shrinker+stretcher+sheet+metal&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1734718722&sr=8-13-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&psc=1

well worth it

 

[Tom O]

I’d go for the Deep Throat model.

 

[Japtastic]

Thanks, I have got both which is how I managed that initial bit

 

[Roger440]

I would be aiming to mimic the original arrangement. It gets the welding between inner and outer off the outer face of the wing

Not doing so, no matter how structurally sound, just looks like its been bodged.

If you wanted to take a really pedantic view, which seems increasingly to be the DVLA's default position, changing it is a modification to the monocoque and therefore results in no V5. Ok, they would have to find out, but expect more trouble in this area in the years ahead.

Mad that nothings available though. They do, afterall, rust for fun.

 

[SierraV6]

I’d replicate the factory arrangement as closely as possible, it’s a valuable car and originality counts.

If it’s really tricky to make in one piece, you could possibly do it “Fitzee” style and weld bits together. (Fitzee’s Fabrications is a YouTube channel if you’re not familiar!).

 

[Japtastic]

Thanks all, yeah I guess I probably knew the answer deep down just needed confirmation before I cut this bit off and started again. Ahh yeah, forgot about that guy. Will rewatch some to get me in the mood!

 

[Dozzer]

The wheel arch return that always rots out on vehicles serves another purpose, it removes a sharp edge, if you just have the inner and outer panel as you have shown, it could fail an MOT.
If you hit someone and they get arm. hand, leg trapped between wheel & arch, you have a bacon slicer.

 

[Slowcoach]

Could you find something similar for the inner even if you had to buy 3 to make 2 as then you should have less joins and can be adjusted a bit with your Shriner/stretcher. Have you any idea of the profile of the arch or are you making it up a bit.

 

[gaz1]

you can form your arches better with a fender roller after welding on your flat steel plates onto the car or spot weld them

you can then slowly form the arch lip using one of them and because you have used your wheel it will form it in a circle for you

if the inners are steel they can be formed the same way

 

[Japtastic]

Yes, I guess it would be possible to try and find something similar for the inner arch to save so much fab. I'll have to have a search around. I do have the other side to work from which is also in a very bad way but has the shape correct.

Never thought of the arch roller. Going to look into that now

 

[gaz1]

because your using that tool to form a perfect circle

you can use some bearings to form the perfect circle but you can also adapt that tool to swag with them with a few adaptions
a homemade one is possible from angle iron

which the creates the inner lip

you can use washers as well to do it

 

[Japtastic]

A lot to learn here! I feel like I need to take a course on metal fab!