Rocker repair shops
- Thread starter TomJD
- Start date
Prairieview
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2017
- Location
- Too close to Sturgis 'ithole
- TDI
- Two 2000 Beetles, 2002 Jetta, 2002 gas avh Jetta, fleet of older 1.6 turbo and non's
Look for a thread which discussed this like a year or so ago.
I could not find one with before and after pictures unfortunately
GlowBugTDI
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2018
- Location
- Cambridge, MN
- TDI
- 2001 Beetle GLS TDI (BIODSL). 01 original Glow Bug TDI (sold)
Why before and after pics?
Before: rusted, rotted, missing, ect.
After professional reconstruction:
looks brand new....
Tho I will say it probably depends on the extent of the damage, and what your willing to pay for. Anything can be fixed perfectly for the right price.
I'm more curious about how long they would last 2nd time around.
IBW has had his done a few times. Hopefully he will jump in here and share his experiences for you.
Before: rusted, rotted, missing, ect.
After professional reconstruction:
looks brand new....
Tho I will say it probably depends on the extent of the damage, and what your willing to pay for. Anything can be fixed perfectly for the right price.
I'm more curious about how long they would last 2nd time around.
IBW has had his done a few times. Hopefully he will jump in here and share his experiences for you.
Yeah he (IBW) told me he used a place on the South Shore (toward Cape Cod) but I sent them an email and didn't get any response... and it's a long, ugly drive for me to get there -- hate driving in cities and Boston's one of the worst, IMO.
I'll be using a well-spoken-of local guy next spring; I'll post how it goes. In my asking around, it seems there are fewer and fewer body shops wiling to do rust mitigation work.
I'll be using a well-spoken-of local guy next spring; I'll post how it goes. In my asking around, it seems there are fewer and fewer body shops wiling to do rust mitigation work.
oilhammer
Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Subscribed. It is difficult to find someone willing to do this type of work on a car that isn't some "classic" undergoing a six-figure restoration.
BobnOH
not-a-mechanic
I looked into this for my previous '99.5 Jetta. Screened body shop reviews to find good ones (no such this as a rocker repair specialist). Got estimates of $400-$500 per side to remove and weld in new metal, prime and paint, that was 12 years ago.
Lots of body shops in my area, many only do insurance claims or simple component replace an re-spray.
Lots of body shops in my area, many only do insurance claims or simple component replace an re-spray.
IndigoBlueWagon
TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
This is from a few years ago. I've had rockers repaired twice on my wagon. Driver's side as part of the 12 year warranty, and passenger side two years ago on my own dime.
This is what it looked like before:
And after they got the rust out:
Fixed!
I used a repair shop here in Massachusetts who does collision repair for the local Audi dealer, so they know VAG products. I'm fortunate that they'd do this kind of work: a lot of shops won't.
This is what it looked like before:
And after they got the rust out:
Fixed!
I used a repair shop here in Massachusetts who does collision repair for the local Audi dealer, so they know VAG products. I'm fortunate that they'd do this kind of work: a lot of shops won't.
IndigoBlueWagon
TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
And here's a replacement in progress at a local guru's shop:
IndigoBlueWagon
TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
20 years, 465K miles. It's been good to me.
While this is not "professionally" done, I just repaired my rockers by using some metal mesh and bondo. My entire rocker was gone on one side.... 20 years of driving in Michigan.... not too surprising. I don't seem to have any good before pics, but here's a few of the after. Might look a little rough up close, but you cant even tell any work was done when you look at the car.
300K miles and going strong. Original owner.
300K miles and going strong. Original owner.
I simply reused the threaded piece that was in there originally. All original mounting points were kept for the fenders.
NH2013Jetta
Member
Have many had rust issues during the VW warranty period? I kept my 2013 Jetta TDI through the buyouts because I like the car (though if I knew we’d see $6+ diesel I might have changed my mind). Now I am at 10 years and 8 months (October 2012 purchase) and by inspection in June both front fenders will have holes in them.
If folks have had VW step up and make good on repairs let me know! Thanks!
If folks have had VW step up and make good on repairs let me know! Thanks!
Yes. I had one fender replaced under the warranty policy -- it had holes in it from the foam rubber inserts VW used. My body guy thought he could repair the other one, so he did... but it didn't last. IIRC VW wouldn't cover the second fender replacement a few months later, but in any case it was also replaced (on my dime), so I've had both fronts replaced at this point.
I'll be taking it to a highly-rated local guy in the next week or two to address the rust around the wheel arches, mostly on the passenger side, but both front and rear wheel wells/arches need some attention. As usual, also the rocker/door junction -- again, mostly on the passenger side.
I'll be taking it to a highly-rated local guy in the next week or two to address the rust around the wheel arches, mostly on the passenger side, but both front and rear wheel wells/arches need some attention. As usual, also the rocker/door junction -- again, mostly on the passenger side.
Gothmolly
Veteran Member
I had a guy cut out the rotted area behind the front flap, weld in something new, and coat it with that blank gunk for I think $240. I replaced the fender with an ebay one for about $80 plus the paint.
NH2013Jetta
Member
Sounds like where mine is going. It’s pretty clear that the lower area behind the front wheels have an issue washing out debris and trapped dirt where it would do the the most damage. Once they get fixed I’ll be a lot more attentive to cleaning the crap out at the DIY car wash during salt season (as if that ends in sunny New England ;-) )
Greaseburger
Veteran Member
Does anyone have the end cap part numbers for the rockers? I had it years ago but can't seem to locate it and will be doing my rockers this summer.
In for this as well.
IndigoBlueWagon
TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
The plenum cover (at the base of the windshield) drains into that area. I'm not sure sunroof drains do. I thought they drained into the door jam.
Hmm, here's the drivers side lower door hinge with the fender and rocker, it almost looks as if the factory water drainage strategy dumped water into the hinge
454k30
Veteran Member
Those are the only shops I know of willing to take on this type of work. Collision shops wont or cant handle that type of rework.
454k30
Veteran Member
Truth be told, on these cars, which are not classics nor collectible, this is a reasonable solution to your rust issue.
red16vdub
Veteran Member
I totally disagree on the classics / collectible part. I know the Alh wagons, and two door golfs, are unicorns and exactly that.
Well at least the one I have is.
IndigoBlueWagon
TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
I don't think these cars are collectable. But they are worth taking care of, as they're unique in their performance, longevity, and economy (as this site says). I feel that any cost I incur in keeping my TDI as close to new as possible is well worth it.
Beauty shot after last week's annual detail.
Beauty shot after last week's annual detail.
red16vdub
Veteran Member
I am not saying collectible in the sense that people should run out these cars. Myself personally, I have an agreed upon value through Hagerty beyond what MSRP was on my wagon when it was new. They thought it was a unicorn and worth it to do so after talking to them. TRAVERLERS my regular INS didn’t think so.
IndigoBlueWagon
TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
I don't carry collision or theft on most of my cars. Part of what I appreciate about owning an older TDI is the low operating costs: personal property tax is less than $30, insurance is less than $300/year. I love the car, but if I wreck it I can honestly say it doesn't owe me anything.
I’m personally fine traveling to repair the rust. I just want someone competent, and competence alone is in short supply. I am a little shocked there isn’t a TDI club member who works for a body shop.
Not to derail my own thread, but my personal property tax keeps going up on my 23 year old TDI. None of my neighbors even bother licensing their cars, so the city has to find revenue somewhere.
Not to derail my own thread, but my personal property tax keeps going up on my 23 year old TDI. None of my neighbors even bother licensing their cars, so the city has to find revenue somewhere.