My passenger side outer trunk brace that spot welds to the inner wheelhouse it rotten.

(its the piece that the body mount rests on just behind the rear end.)

I went ahead and ordered it...does anyone have and tips on replacing this?

looks kinda overwhelming thanks....

Chris

Chris ,Your posts are like strolling down memory lane for me. 5 years ago I was right where you are now.
I had to replace one side as well due to rot. Seems like cutting off the old one was the biggest pain. We used a cut off wheel and a air chisel to do the deed. The repop brace fit up under there nicely and spot welded in no problem. Make sure you scribe along side the old one and take the time to measure or mark the hole locations before tearing out the old one. Just like anything else it can look overwhelming until you roll up your sleeves and tear into it, or maybe it's just that I was too dumb to know I couldn't do it. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif Good Luck

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TC #364
Aces #4309
Jeff's 69 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/daytonajeff1.jpg)

I did all of mine as well.... I had the trunk out as well though! it is a PITA but it isn't that horrible! Just getting the car in the air high enough to comfortabily work is the tough part! Follow the advice above.. and also get a prybar and hammer! They help as well!

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X-Ray View of my Chevelle :D (http://www.normieschevelle.com/sideview.jpg)
Getting Closer (http://www.normieschevelle.com/passfull.jpg)

Get yourself a spot weld remover bit, also a cut off wheel and air hammer will greatly aid you. First you need to mark the old brace, trace its location around everything it touches. Once you have it marked out go ahead and start removing it. Its best too drill out the spot welds then try to chisel them out with a air hammer, you will just end up tearing stuff up. Drill out the spot welds from the top side or the trunk floor and the inner wheel well. This will also help you repostion the new brace and allow you to use screws to hold it tight while you weld it in.

The hard spot will be in the very back where the brace is sandwiched between the trunk floor and rear bumper mount panel. If you crawl under there will you see what Iam talking about. You cant just cut it off flush and leave it still in there you need to remove it so you can get the new one in its spot. The best way to do it is use some vise grips and bend that lip enough where you can remove it by using your cut off wheel to grind away the remaing bits of the brace. If need be use the air hammer.

Now that the old brace is fully out slide the new one in and start fitting it to your marks and the holes that you drilled with spot weld remover. Use vise grips to hold the barce in place or sheet metal screws, srews work the best. Start welding the brace in place just dont start wleding down one side then go down the next, jump from side to side, elimates the chance of the brace twisting to that one side...Eric

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1970 chevelle
1970 chevelle SS455 not a typo its a buick baby
1949 and 1972 chevy trucks
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/sevt_chevelles

chris71--how are the trunk pans? If parts of them are rusted too you might think about doing it all at once.

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67 Malibu Convertible, 2nd Owner since '78
Bonner Springs, KS
A.C.E.S # 4806
N.C.O.A # 5322
67 Malibu Convertible (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/ragtop67malibu283.jpg)
on going restoration (http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/ragtop67malibu283/lst?.dir=/Chevelle&.src=ph&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/)