924Board.org

[64Corvair]

I just found out this morning that the front 2 mounting points for the brake/clutch pedal bracket have broken loose. After looking at it, I think that the dash, steering column, and at least some of the electronics are going to have to come out in order to fix this and not catch the car on fire. as such I have 2 questions.

1: Is there anything else I should look for or remove before getting this fixed? (Other than the standard holes in the battery tray that my car also has.)

2: Does anybody in the Denver Colorado area know of any good/reputable body shops that can do this and will work with me on getting this fixed for a reasonable cost?

Thanks

[ This Message was edited by: 64Corvair on 2002-07-26 06:58 ]

[Rick MacLaren]

Oh, man, are you sure you want this chassis?

[Rick MacLaren]

Caveat: Everything I say here can easily be contradicted by the maxim "I've fixed this same problem on my car and mine is fine" thus, the implication is, you can do the same and your car will be fine. But though any problem can be fixed, it is also true that where corrosion or deterioration is concerned, with a bad car there's typically no end to the potential problems because deterioration, rust, corrosion from battery acid, travels. Time reveals the extent of travel.

Caveat: People tend to ignore negative evidence in favour of positive evidence when they have invested in a product.

You mentioned: "I just found out this morning that the front 2 mounting points for the brake/clutch pedal bracket have broken loose."

I fixed these on mine. The welding is a hassle. You've gotta get at the pedal mount point, if it's like mine, and it's a bitch of a job. But do-able. Still, it indicates a bigger problem.

You said: "Is there anything else I should look for or remove before getting this fixed? (Other than the standard holes in the battery tray that my car also has.)"

Yes. Your car rusts or deteriorates with the same pattern as my 1979 NA - they probably all deteriorate the same. You can probably expect that the flange from the heater core at the firewall will also be in rough shape. Water accumulates around these points, and is especially bad when you've got holes around you battery box.

You said: "Does anybody in the Denver Colorado area know of any good/reputable body shops that can do this and will work with me on getting this fixed for a reasonable cost?"

Dunno about Denver. Sorry. The labour on the pedal job should take into consideration that they've gotta remove stuff to get at the pedal area from outside the passenger compartment.

I'd do a couple of things:

1. Reconsider whether this particular 924 is the best one for you. If you've got a bad battery box, and are replacing the clutch pedal, you've probably not got a real winner there. Though you can fix around the battery box, short of removing the quarter panel, or digging deep looking in the chassis and driver compartment, you'll miss corrosion.

I've seen guys cut whole quarter sections of the battery box away and replace them with a new cut out section. It's expensive and time consuming, and you've got a working car, but not a winner. Frankly, with problems around the battery box like that, I'd consider doing it up right and finding everywhere there are problems.

2. Clean out your drains, all around the car, and make sure they're draining properly. Every once in a while I get compressed air and blow it through my drain holes in and around the sunroof, etc. Remove trim and carpet and detail the interior of the cabin, and the engine compartment, cause if there are problems with the metal at the pedal, even if not rust, there can be weakness elsewhere.

[ This Message was edited by: Rick MacLaren on 2002-07-26 08:24 ]