Quarter Panel Removal

[RAS]

Hi Everyone,

I have a 94 firebird and I am looking to remove my driver side quarter panel this weekend. I know from reading other post that it wont be an easy job, but I'm just trying to gather as much info as possible before I start. I am wondering in anyone here have ever taken one off and what are things to consider. I found a walkthrough from the GM Goodwrench website explaining how to do it, but i think it gets a little more technical that this. If anyone could help me out with this one, i would really apreciate it. Thanks alot

RAS

http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/gmgoodwr...l_Assembly.pdf

[CAMAROWIDBASS]

Removing that panel would be a PITA since its welded on to the frame.

[RAS]

Thats what i noticed Camarowiwdbass. I started stripping the seaming tape from the trunk wall and also inside the door area, to find the spot weld locations, and that has been a little tedious. I know its not gonna be a walk in the park.

[hockeyman]

It may be easier to just cut the crap out of the visible part (outside) of the quarterpanel to see the inside where the seams are. Or, just take a look at the new one to see.
Either-or, it's not a fun job.

[FlyBoy9994]

If you are not experienced in bodywork than removing a quarterpanel for the first time is pure HELL... You definitely need somebody to show you how or take it to a shop because I quarantee you will ruin something you don't want to. Do you have the proper tools??

The only advice I can give you is to go slow... jeeezzz I hope you know what you are in for!! Also, hockeyeman is right too... you can just cut the main part of the quarterpanel off from the outside to see a lot of the welds you would miss from the inside. Also, this is a STRUCTURAL panel... meaning you should never, never, never jack up the car after the quarter panel is off as this may twist the body and then you might as well throw the car over a cliff at that point!! Make sure you either leave the car on jackstands or on the ground. Once the old panel is off, do not move the car in any way till the new panel is FULLY welded back into place. Good luck man..

[hockeyman]

Originally posted by FlyBoy9994:
Also, this is a STRUCTURAL panel... meaning you should never, never, never jack up the car after the quarter panel is off as this may twist the body and then you might as well throw the car over a cliff at that point!!

Good advice. I never would have thought of that.

[RAS]

Thank you Flyboy9994 and Hockeyman for all your advise. My intentions were to wait until this weekend to tackle this project, i decided to take the day day off and go at it.

The tools that I'm using are: a hammer drill, a sawzall, a spot weld cutter drill bit, a 4" angle grinder and a cold chisel.

I think I'm about 70% coomplete. I remove pretty much all of the spot weld that hold the panel to the frame and I use the chisel to separate them. I am however having problems cutting the lower portion that attach the panel to the door opening.

Its definitely no walk in the park. I'll let you all know when I'm finish.

[hockeyman]

You should post some pics. It'll be an awesome walkthrough for anyone who is thinking of doing it themselves.