zbane
10-05-2008, 02:50 PM
All Z cars seem to be rather prone to rust, we all know that (generally from personal experience), and for whatever reason we all share issues with the battery tray.
I knew that mine was rather bad, and finally tried to do something about it.
First off, I don't have many tools. I have no welder, not even a power drill. Being both tool-less and generally clue-less can (and does) cause problems.
Remember, I'm the one that pulled off the fenders just to change a headlight...
So...
In my case it was actually good that my tray was so rusty, it made it much easier to remove with a hammer, my tire iron (chisel), and dremel.
The S130 battery tray is supported by a solid piece of metal that does a wonderful job of collecting leaves, pine needles, and dirt between it and the inner fender area. No amount of coercion will get all of it out, and I knew it would be getting bad in there and I had to do something about it sooner or later. Besides, the top side was already missing some metal. Might as well get to it.
Once I got the tray out, I decided that I would attach a hinge on the inner well that would allow me to periodically clean out the aforementioned area. The bottom edge would be attached by screws, using the holes where the pop rivets/spot welds had been.
In order for this to work, I had to trim some of the metal off the bottom edge; the wiring harness wouldn't allow the unit to pivot up as I wished, so I cut a bit off. Using the part that I had severed, I fashioned a bridge to connect the area that was completely gone from rust.
To attach, I used good old JB Weld.
Before doing that I stripped off all the paint (it was only primered underneath), used metal ready to neutralize the rust that was there (it took several treatments, even after I had sandpapered quite a bit off).
I knew that mine was rather bad, and finally tried to do something about it.
First off, I don't have many tools. I have no welder, not even a power drill. Being both tool-less and generally clue-less can (and does) cause problems.
Remember, I'm the one that pulled off the fenders just to change a headlight...
So...
In my case it was actually good that my tray was so rusty, it made it much easier to remove with a hammer, my tire iron (chisel), and dremel.
The S130 battery tray is supported by a solid piece of metal that does a wonderful job of collecting leaves, pine needles, and dirt between it and the inner fender area. No amount of coercion will get all of it out, and I knew it would be getting bad in there and I had to do something about it sooner or later. Besides, the top side was already missing some metal. Might as well get to it.
Once I got the tray out, I decided that I would attach a hinge on the inner well that would allow me to periodically clean out the aforementioned area. The bottom edge would be attached by screws, using the holes where the pop rivets/spot welds had been.
In order for this to work, I had to trim some of the metal off the bottom edge; the wiring harness wouldn't allow the unit to pivot up as I wished, so I cut a bit off. Using the part that I had severed, I fashioned a bridge to connect the area that was completely gone from rust.
To attach, I used good old JB Weld.
Before doing that I stripped off all the paint (it was only primered underneath), used metal ready to neutralize the rust that was there (it took several treatments, even after I had sandpapered quite a bit off).