wheel well separation

[vmchurch]

Alright, completely freaked out now

My drivers side upper ball joint needs replacing, so I'm under there doing the control arm swap and notice something strange about the wheel well. From inside the wheel well you can see where the sheetmetal is starting to be curled away....but just slightly.

So I go to see what it looks like in the engine bay up top and sure enough the spot where the two pieces of sheetmetal are welded has started to separate. Worse, due to the separation the area has started to rust slightly.

Needless to say I'm really worried about what damage is already done. The Kon'is are set to soft, and this is only happening on the drivers side. I'm planning on raising the car on different springs, ajdusting the Koni yellow's to the highest perch and putting thicker bumpstops in. Right now this is the set-up:

17 x 7 wheels
215/45 tires
Ingals anchor-type camber kit set to around -1.5
Neuspeed Race Springs from a 94-97 Accord


Any help is appreciated guys, I'm worried I might have done something real bad

[vmchurch]

heres a couple pics to show what I'm talking about.....

[PUMASTi]

I've never seen anything like that, was the car involved in an accident and fixed??

[vmchurch]

Its been in one accident, but no damage to that side of the car

My guess is that this didn't happen overnight, I've had this set-up for about three years now.......VERY WORRIED

[h22sparkle]

Well before you get anymore worried you may have to get that shit treated being that those cars have rust issues. Your best bet would be to bring it to a professional welder and have him more the parts to the side and grind down and cut.

Completely remove the rust and then weld an extra sheet over it after its cured and put some cover rust sealant over that to make sure its complete. Shouldnt cost nomore than $100 bucks.

[cb9wagon]

thats not too bad but at the least you could knock the loose shit off with a wire wheel or grinder and let it dry out. if it's not too bad ( no big holes) just separation you can put some seam sealer in the crack thats open.

your local parts store will help you find the right product to use or stop by a bodyshop and ask to purchase a tube.

good luck, rust sucks