97 Riv - front wheel well (rocker panels)

Riviera Body Inspection Continues

This may not be the most interesting discussion thread, but for those who want to upkeep their classic aerodynamically shaped Rivieras which are no longer in production, it's a VERY good idea to inspect the body panels, under moldings and inside the wheel wells. YEARS of crud and dirt will build up in surprising places.

Yesterday I got to the LEFT FRONT wheel well, deciding to remove the entire wheel well shroud. There are 21 clips that hold it in place, and removing it provides access to the horns and side lamps!!


http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/LF_shroud.jpg



http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/LF_wheelwell_fwd.jpg



The edge molding comes off AFTER the clips are pulled for the inner shroud. It was PACKED with crud. This is NOT a good situation to be carrying mud under the trim.

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/crud_molding.jpg


Fortunately the fenders and edges were in good shape (prior to dirt removal below.)

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/LF_fender_fwd.jpg


http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/LF_fender_aft.jpg


The AFT front fender well cleaned up nice.. There was a LOT of organic material stuck down there in the lower crannies. That rubber flap was especially caked with road dirt.

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/LF_wheelwell_II.jpg


Rocker Panels

My goal before taking the vehicle in to the Auto Body Shop for minor paint work is to pull the Left & Right rocker panels and inspect the door bottoms, etc. and remove any CRUD built up there after 15 or 16 years!! :)


{ rocker photos go here - or in the next post }


Here is a photo of the Riv taken in California last year. Not so clean underneath though. :runaround:

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/Riv_in_Calif_II.jpg


Garaged in Virginia now.. it's got to be ready to drive across the country again if necessary!! :bananasmi


-Ed