Rocker Panels 101

[Eiremon]

I stumbled across this article online while researching some info on rocker panels. My search was not related to E9's. I had to chuckle when I saw their inclusion of the E9 diagram in the article. Right next to a photo of some pretty nasty rust.

https://www.carid.com/articles/rocker-panels.html

I was considering a car which had the rocker panels replaced by a weekend warrior mechanic who taught himself how to weld during the restoration project. Safe to assume that you should be very careful when these types of repairs are done by amateurs? I think I know the answer but wanted to throw it out there.

 

[Markos]

The rocker panels are three piece so I think it depends on the nature of the replacement. I saw a thread where Mario @ VSR1 estimated the job at 60 hours. Obviously that is contingent upon which pieces are replaced. Gransin had his done last year and confirmed that it was a tough job. I believe that I'll start with my outers and see what I'm in for.

As far as jacking, they are stronger than one might think. I put the factory jack on my CSI to extract it from storage. I had to jack up the car, on a concrete ramp to get the rollers out from under the tire. The rocker below held up fine:

Hard to even tell what you are looking at right?

 

[mulberryworks]

I haven't yet opened up my right rocker, but I obviously will have to do some serious replacement. I don't know if I'll make a patch panel or replace the entire piece. I'll know more when I get the outer rocker off.
I'm also concerned about the A pillar since it's hidden. To be sure of what's there, I'll have to remove the fenders. However, the nose of this car does not have the same exposure as the remainder as it was replaced at some point, so it may be in good shape. I have some scopes that will allows some viewing of hidden chambers, but there is no real substitute to having it open.

Ian