This may be (and probbly is) a very dumb question but are the rear fenders bolt on or weld on?

 

weld.
part of unibody...
that said - replacement _lower_ panels avail aftermarket:

These folks sell them - I have bought these:
Stephen@sbrooks43.orangehome.co.uk

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

Yeah rear body is all welded together.

Stu - Did you ever install those patch panels you got or were those just for spares? I was thinking about picking up a set as spares as well, just wondering how the fitment was.

 

you can use front fenders as patch panels they are the same arch and shape as the rear fender well.
simply cut and weld and its perfect with a little body work

 

I'd always wondered if that would work, good to know someone has tried it successfully.

 

I have done this as well.
I have a build thread with photos.

 

Not yet - this coming spring. They look fine held up beside the original panels. GOTTA be better than shaping up raw sheet metal!!

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

Front left fender will fix back right panel, and the front right will fix the rear left.
but its still a lot of work you can also drill out seam welds and take the hole side panel off but that is even more work. it may be worth the effort to think about cutting the rust away and patching it up then go to ZG fender flairs.

 

7aull, Agreed, I love working with metal but i'm definatly not at the point where I can shape something that complex.

Nofords, read through your thread yesterday and those fenders do work very well, nice work!

The ZG fender flare idea isn't bad either...

 

Patch panels work and using the front fenders is a unique adaption. A rear quarter is another option depending on amount of metal needing replacement, and how the body is constructed in the first place. I believe its intregrated at the rear door jam, the B-pillar and tail light opening.

 

i have a NOS quarter, its door jamb to tail light, and then up to the roof.

the seam @ the rear hatch is tricky to do i think, there is a local car that had had a quarter back in the day, and its rusting on that seam....

 

Yes, where the b-pillar meets the roof pannel. Like any of the fixes mentioned, the prep work and attention to detail makes all difference in the final results, both in appearance and longevity.

 

To be honest, If i was to do it all over again and only the fender lips were all that was rusty, go ZG flares! and then get some -20 diamond racing wheels! Less work and more wow factor!

 

Agreed, I think most people don't bother to properly seal the inside of the weld, and even though it doesn't see direct rain etc the moisture in the air will still cause it to rust and eventually rust through...

 

I'm a little late to the party here but I remembered I had bookmarked this link sometime ago incase I would ever need here so hopefully it might be of some help to you.

http://www.alfaparts.net/mazda.html

 

^Thanks for posting that link! I had it bookmarked on my old computer but lost it and wasn't able to find again....

 

ya - good luck with the link. Was a dead end 2 yrs ago...

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

dont know if this link will work but theres pictures of the panels we make here.
http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forum...ad.php?t=41265
or look for basherspanels

 

Hi Steve- couldn't find any images on your Link
So I have attached MY rear panel pics of YOUR panels. Folks - Steve is the real deal and has great panels at a fair price, even with the shipping from UK.

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska