How bad is this?

[79403ta]

Is this hard to repair? I won't be doing it, but I was wondering if anyone can give me a rough idea about how much something like this will cost at a shop to have repaired. It is on both sides, but this is the worst one. (drivers side)

[kjkjkcjkcj]

its not a terrible thing, how far up does it go.  you will prob have to replace sheet metal.  how good are you at metal fab.  also you may wanna take out the side panels in the back seat to asses the rust issue better

[78ta]

I hate to say it but it may be much worse further back under the spoiler. The area behind the rear spoilers is known for rusting. I don't think pulling the back seat out will buy you much as there is another layer of sheet metal there. There may be a hole you can reach through but I don't think you'll have free and open direct access to this area. Fortunately, I don't think this repair will require access from the back side. It's a pretty straight forward cut it out and butt weld a new piece in. It may get a little more complicated if it's gotten into the rocker panel.

It would be a pretty simple repair for a shop but I'm guessing you're still looking at $200 - $300 or so just for the sheet metal repair. If you want it fixed and repainted/blended in, you're prob looking at double that.

[79403ta]

Thanx for the insight. Do you think I will have to replace the whole quarter panel? I plan on having the whole car painted the 1st of the year so I will get this fixed then. By the way, awesome site.

[Hammer]

79403ta, this is a common problem area for Trans Am's.  I agree with 78ta on the price as well as it may be worse once the metal is ground off.  It is my experience that for every inch of rust you can see there is at least 4 inches of rust that you can't.  Just an observation. 

[78ta]

Thanx for the insight. Do you think I will have to replace the whole quarter panel? I plan on having the whole car painted the 1st of the year so I will get this fixed then. By the way, awesome site.

No. If it's just contained to the several square inches behind the spoiler and what we see here, that's just a small patch panel they can make up from a piece of sheet metal.

Yes, it is an awesome site. Welcome to it. Kick your shoes off and stay a while........

[4SPEED]

you will need to cut it it all out. I had one like that and the surface rust on the inside was worse.  my quarter size rust hole. by the time I got it all out. I cut half way up to the body line. and put a patch panel in.

[ta78w72]

Your door is bad too.