Looking for ideas on repair of door jam / A-pillar

[Joeld]

Hi all,
Here's the only rot I can find on my car.
Looks to be an unusual place, moisture must have gotten trapped.
I'm looking for repair ideas. Has anyone had anything similar?
Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Joel

 

[rag231]

TTop car?

 

[Joeld]

Yes

 

[TRICKSIXPA]

That's gonna have to be cut out!! Small piece of sheet metal welded in its not a big job for an experienced welder. Check your window gap on that side. The t top weather strip that runs on the roof toward the front of the car acts like a water run off. When it rains the water runs down that weatherstrip a right down the driverside window. If its not sealed right the water will go right on to the door panel. Just one theory. How's your door gap on the car?

 

[Joeld]

Thanks tricksix, I can do some welding, I'd imagine I can do this with my small gassless mig?
The door gap looks to be very good, i'll post a picture with the door closed.
The car will be stored in doors going forward with no rain. She had been outside under a cover many years ago, that's when this must've gotten started.
The metal is solid around it, so not much cutting to do, I'll try to reach with my drummel with cutting wheel, too tight a spot for the grinder.
Should I just use sheet metal I can find at home depot?
Thanks again,
Joel

 

[rag231]

Mine started at the top of the t above the rear view mirror and the rust was like that on both sides. You might want tto check the other side just to scratch that off the list.

 

[Joeld]

Just checked the other aside again to be sure. There is very little surface rust in the same spot, but no rot and no softness.
Once I get the tires on the car and get it outside I'll work to cut out the rot and weld in a patch piece of sheet metal.
I've often wondered, when patching like this, the back side of the patch will be unprotected / unpainted metal. I guess that's the only real way to do it right? Welding would burn off any paint if applied.
Thanks,
Joel

 

[ttaowner]

I would start by taking the flat plates that the t tops set on top of off first more than likely your roof is probably rotted too! I'm saying this from the experience of stripping several t top g bodies

 

[Joeld]

I will pull off tonight and see what i find
I have not had the t roofs off yet

Are they pieces i can just remove? The plate you are referring to?

Thanks
Joel

 

[chopped39]

Pull the inner kick panel and plastic cover behind that and see if its rotted in there. The t-top car I had rotted from the inside. The cowl needed to be replaced. Thats what holds the hinges. Im sure James has seen plenty of that.I know Brian at gbodyparts makes the t-top roof repair parts. If you need the cowl your going to need a doner car. Good luck

 

[Joeld]

Thanks
When you say inner kick panel is that up under where the t roof sits?
When i hear kick pannel i think down near footwell

I want to be sure to take a thorough look tonight with the t tops off

I want to fix all at once when i have the welder out

Thank you
Joel

 

[chopped39]

The one by your feet. If you take the gray plastic cover off there will be another little black cover.When you pull that there be the wires for the door coming through. Look real good in there. You will see the bracket thats held in the body that the hinge bolts screw into. You will need a mirror to see up in there hopefully thats clean in there. Good luck

 

[Joeld]

Thank you

 

[Joeld]

Pulled t tops and all looks good I will take off the metal covers next

Seems fine so far

 

[RUDE DOG]

Youll have to remove the door to get a good look at what you are dealing with, once you know how much there is, contact a vendor here that might have that section, if its no too big of an area to fix then fabbing up a piece woud be the best thing. My car is not a t top car but it had a lot of rot in the passenger door jamb area and the windsield area at the corners.

 

[Joeld]

Youll have to remove the door to get a good look at what you are dealing with, once you know how much there is, contact a vendor here that might have that section, if its no too big of an area to fix then fabbing up a piece woud be the best thing. My car is not a t top car but it had a lot of rot in the passenger door jamb area and the windsield area at the corners.

Thanks for the post and information, you did a lot of work!
I will tackle this once the weather improves a bit more.
I've got it in the garage and at least it will not worsen. The original owner stored under car cover for part of it's life and must have happened then. Been out of the elements for the last long while, this is likely old damage.
I'm hoping I don't fine too much damage, was talking to a buddy today telling him I've never successfully pulled a door off and gotten it back on correctly, there is a first time for everything

Thanks,
Joel

 

[Joeld]

trim piece under passenger t-roof was rotted, just ordered replacement piece.
I hate rot.