Rust - Driver's Side Quarter Window Area
05-23-15, 12:50 PM
#1
Rust - Driver's Side Quarter Window Area
While I'm still trying to decide between Toyo, Kumho, and I'm certainly avoiding "Lanvigator" tires, I've discovered a rather unpleasant situation. Rust. Yeah, I know rust never sleeps, and that if I dig long enough, I'll probably find plenty of it; but I didn't expect to find it here. Driver's side, just under the front "lip" of the quarter window. I've removed the trim from the inside of the car, and it appears rock solid - but it's actually a couple of pieces of metal sandwiched over each other on the inside, so I'm not 100% sure.
Can I "just" remove the glass and remove the rust, prime the area, and use touch-up paint, or am I in for something much worse? How, exactly, do I remove the glass? I see one bolt with a nut on the inside of the car, but I assume the little black triangle trim piece at the bottom-rear corner of the glass needs to be removed. Is that easy to do without damage? And, I gather the window is actually "sealed", but I assume that's easy to remove and replace with some sort of sealant?
The car lives in the garage, and the previous owner kept it covered, as well. It's got an anti-rust coating on the underside (which is starting to flake off), and other than the tiny chips and dings you'd expect in a 30 year old car, this appears to be the only place of concern that I've encountered in regards to the body. However, I don't really understand how it could have happened in this spot?
Can I "just" remove the glass and remove the rust, prime the area, and use touch-up paint, or am I in for something much worse? How, exactly, do I remove the glass? I see one bolt with a nut on the inside of the car, but I assume the little black triangle trim piece at the bottom-rear corner of the glass needs to be removed. Is that easy to do without damage? And, I gather the window is actually "sealed", but I assume that's easy to remove and replace with some sort of sealant?
The car lives in the garage, and the previous owner kept it covered, as well. It's got an anti-rust coating on the underside (which is starting to flake off), and other than the tiny chips and dings you'd expect in a 30 year old car, this appears to be the only place of concern that I've encountered in regards to the body. However, I don't really understand how it could have happened in this spot?
Last edited by jbherri2; 05-23-15 at 12:54 PM.
05-25-15, 04:04 AM
#2
Tis an odd spot! The window is glued in just like a windshield, with a bolt/nut in the center of the front (vertical) edge, and another under the rear corner triangle. You will see these once you pull the interior hatch-area trim. Unfortunately I think you will prob end up breaking the clips that hold the rear triangle piece in place, and a new triangle trim piece, if available, is STOOPIDLY expensive!! (close to $50?). The trim covers a metal bracket so you can prob just glue the triangle back on after.
Rust-wise, I haven't met an RX7 yet that did NOT have rusty rear fender wells. You need to pull a taillight to check, unless its already obvious externally. Also peel up the lower part of the rear hatch seal and check its corners! Likewise the sunroof seal should be lifted and inspected. FBs its usually a good idea to pull a rear hatch compartment (behind seats) and check chassis in front of rear wheel wells too.
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
Rust-wise, I haven't met an RX7 yet that did NOT have rusty rear fender wells. You need to pull a taillight to check, unless its already obvious externally. Also peel up the lower part of the rear hatch seal and check its corners! Likewise the sunroof seal should be lifted and inspected. FBs its usually a good idea to pull a rear hatch compartment (behind seats) and check chassis in front of rear wheel wells too.
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska