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HOLE IN MY A PILLAR

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Old 02-22-2012, 11:10 AM
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HOLE IN MY A PILLAR

One nice rusty hole courtesy of the previous owner (pic attached). any one have any ideas on how to fix this? best course of action ect...???

please feel free to share. my GUESS is I'll have to cut and weld, but i hope not!
Attached Thumbnails HOLE IN MY A PILLAR-3.jpg  
Old 02-22-2012, 01:36 PM
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Re: HOLE IN MY A PILLAR

63 views and no one knows how to fix my hole. ;(
Old 02-22-2012, 01:50 PM
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Re: HOLE IN MY A PILLAR

bondo or epoxy
Old 02-22-2012, 02:14 PM
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Re: HOLE IN MY A PILLAR

You'll hafta grind it down & see just how deep/thick it is, because you can't decide on what it will take to fix it.

And no, you cannot just slap more bondo or exopy on & expect it to be fixed good. That is just a recipe for it popping out within 6 months.
Old 02-22-2012, 02:28 PM
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Re: HOLE IN MY A PILLAR

hello, damn I have one in same spot on 88 gta hard top? confusing me how It got there It was there before I got it not that bad just bubbles in paint. I would just grind it out and fill it with lead man bondo wont hold long flex point on car there.
Old 02-22-2012, 02:35 PM
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Re: HOLE IN MY A PILLAR

Grind it down, Cut out the cancer and weld in a patch. That piece is structural...
Old 02-22-2012, 03:17 PM
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Re: HOLE IN MY A PILLAR

Originally Posted by 88gta6spdvert
hello, damn I have one in same spot on 88 gta hard top? confusing me how It got there It was there before I got it not that bad just bubbles in paint. I would just grind it out and fill it with lead man bondo wont hold long flex point on car there.
this is what i was thinking. i should probably pull the the glass too.
Old 02-22-2012, 04:03 PM
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Re: HOLE IN MY A PILLAR

Yes pull the glass. Otherwise you won't know if there is additional damage under there.
Old 02-22-2012, 06:55 PM
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Re: HOLE IN MY A PILLAR

Originally Posted by BlackenedBird
You'll hafta grind it down & see just how deep/thick it is, because you can't decide on what it will take to fix it.

And no, you cannot just slap more bondo or exopy on & expect it to be fixed good. That is just a recipe for it popping out within 6 months.
i assumed he knew what to do before just slapping it in
Old 02-22-2012, 07:37 PM
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Re: HOLE IN MY A PILLAR

I have been looking for an excuse to buy a welder anyways. as i delve deeper into this car im finding serious issues under the t-top gaskets.
Old 02-22-2012, 09:28 PM
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Re: HOLE IN MY A PILLAR

The A pillers are filled with foam from the factory.
The foam holds moisture and usually rots from the
inside out.

Grind and cut out the rust, braze in a new metal patch or just bondo or lead over the hole.
Old 02-23-2012, 06:04 AM
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Re: HOLE IN MY A PILLAR

foam...lol. WTF was the general thinking. i love the 80s but sometimes i have to wonder. oh well, a grinding i will go.
Old 02-23-2012, 08:19 AM
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Re: HOLE IN MY A PILLAR

Over the last 20 years I have patched this same spot a few times. The last time we pulled all the foam out (IMO it is the main problem). We also spayed the entire inside of the pillar with chassis saver.
Old 02-23-2012, 02:57 PM
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Re: HOLE IN MY A PILLAR

Originally Posted by nosajwols
Over the last 20 years I have patched this same spot a few times. The last time we pulled all the foam out (IMO it is the main problem). We also spayed the entire inside of the pillar with chassis saver.
i might be wrong, but it looks like there is body filler already on the a-pillar. is this factory? i wouldn't think so. but you never know, they did put FOAM in the a-pillar.
Old 02-23-2012, 05:05 PM
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Re: HOLE IN MY A PILLAR

Originally Posted by z28romance
foam...lol. WTF was the general thinking. i love the 80s but sometimes i have to wonder. oh well, a grinding i will go.
I believe it was for sound deadening. The only reason it would cause a problem would be due to water seeping into the a-pillar from somewhere else. Since it's a t-top car I'd suspect a rusted seam or hole higher up, possibly hidden beneath a weather strip. Removing the windshield is a good idea, chances are theres some rust somewhere around the window channel. With that kind of rot at the a-pillar I'd take a good look at the floor pans, spare tire well, around the rear window, under the rear bumper cover, ground fx (pinch welds and fender drain area) post more pics if u can, a welder is a good investment with our cars

Last edited by 89RsPower!; 02-23-2012 at 05:16 PM.
Old 02-24-2012, 06:08 AM
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Re: HOLE IN MY A PILLAR

Originally Posted by 89RsPower!
I believe it was for sound deadening. The only reason it would cause a problem would be due to water seeping into the a-pillar from somewhere else. Since it's a t-top car I'd suspect a rusted seam or hole higher up, possibly hidden beneath a weather strip. Removing the windshield is a good idea, chances are theres some rust somewhere around the window channel. With that kind of rot at the a-pillar I'd take a good look at the floor pans, spare tire well, around the rear window, under the rear bumper cover, ground fx (pinch welds and fender drain area) post more pics if u can, a welder is a good investment with our cars
welder is a definite must. this particular hole, according to the PO, was caused by a truck backing in to the mirror and snapping it off into the a pillar. is this the truth? i don't know.
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