Body - Rear Wheel Arch Corrosion Repair: Overview

Classification:
BT97-012a

Reference:
NTB97-048a

Date:
November 1, 1997

Subject:
1993-97 ALTIMA REAR WHEEL ARCH CORROSION REPAIR

APPLIED VEHICLE:
1993-97 Altima (U13) with presence of rear wheel arch perforation

APPLIED VIN:
All vehicles built prior to 1N4BU31D7VC211000

APPLIED DATE:
All vehicles built prior to December 14, 1996

SERVICE INFORMATION

If a 1993-97 Altima has perforation (due to corrosion) occurring along the rear wheel arch near the fender lip area (one or both sides), use this bulletin to repair the vehicle.

Corrosion may initially be in the form of paint blisters, bubbles, red rust or perforation on the external surface. Incidents will not occur on all vehicles. It will be more evident in areas where heavy concentrations of road salt are used.

Only vehicles with perforation in the rear fender wheel arch area should be repaired with the special service parts indicated at the end of this bulletin. The service parts are intended to reduce repair costs by eliminating the need for replacement of the entire quarter panels and ensuring a consistent and effective repair procedure. Repair only the side affected.

NOTE: This bulletin does not apply to vehicles with surface rust only.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

This service bulletin covers repair of the quarter panel using the Altima corrosion repair service part only. Replacement of quarter panel and wheel house are not covered in this bulletin.

Inspection

Rear Fender:

1. Carefully inspect the rear wheel arch (near fender lip) for perforation.

A. If all perforation conditions listed below are met, continue repair.

B. If not, this service bulletin does not cover this incident. Please refer to the Altima Body Repair Manual for proper quarter panel and/or wheel house replacement instructions.

2. The following conditions must be met to use the service part covered in this bulletin:

^ Perforation (due to corrosion) in the rear wheel arch area.

^ With the service part positioned on the quarter panel, check that perforation does not exist beyond the profile of the service part.





^ Sufficient lip surface (for bonding) on the outer wheel house must be present (see Figure 12 - wheel house lip area).

NOTES: 1. This repair procedure shall be applicable for both right and left rear quarter panels. 2. Please review procedure provided below prior to performing repair.

Vehicle Preparation

1. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery terminal.

2. Raise the vehicle.

3. Remove the following parts:

^ rearwheel
^ gas filler lid
^ rear fender protector
^ trunk finisher
^ rear-center mudguard (if applicable)
^ rear kick plate
^ mudguard grommets
^ rear body side welt
^ door striker
^ rear seat & seat back.

4. From the trunk (near fender) area, make sure the water drain tubes are clear from areas to be cut (fender).

^ For vehicles equipped with a sunroof, there is a water drain tube on both sides of the vehicle.

^ For vehicles with a power antenna, there is a water drain on the right side only.

5. Cover all interior door panel trim and the rear axle to prevent damage from grinding and cuffing procedures.

Cut the Rear Quarter Panel

1. Make sure the rear wheel house is clean and dry.





2. Position the service part on the quarter panel and trace the service part profile on to the quarter panel (see Figure 1).





3. Do not cut quarter panel at the trace line. Cut off damaged portion of the quarter panel with allowance below the traced line (inside line) using a grinding wheel or cutting saw (see Figure 2).

NOTES: 1. Be careful not to cut through the wheel housing (on the back of the quarter panel) 2. Do not cut or damage the rocker sill panel.








4. Use a spot weld cutter (114" diameter) to drill the spot welds around the wheel arch (at the fender lip area) and around the door frame opening to remove the corroded wheel arch (see Figure 3). Refer to Figure 4 to remove the correct number of spot welds.

5. Carefully remove the corroded wheel arch panel from the outer wheel house.





6. Use a scraper to remove all remaining sealers on the exposed outer wheel house and on the exposed rocker panel (see Figure 5).