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GordonThree's avatar
GordonThree
Explorer
Mar 14, 2016

Wheel well repair

When an expansion gap ate my camper's suspension last winter, it sheared the end of the leaf spring clean off where it attaches to the hanger I think it's called.

That's all been repaired, but the wheel well is "pushed in" on that side now, and I can see into the wooden box that covers the aluminum well.

The well appears to be made from three sheets of aluminum, crimped together at the seams. There's the large arched piece, a more or less flat large inside piece and a smaller flat outside piece.

I don't think it's called a wheel well, since searching for it doesn't bring up the right pictures. What else would it be called? It's not a wheel well liner, those pictures aren't right either.

I'm looking to buy some sort of replacement unit that I can attach overtop the pushed in piece, if there's enough room, or cut out the bad and rivet in the new.

Trying to avoid a body shop and their $125/hr labor rate.

8 Replies

  • From the pic you posted it looks like you could pull down the back edge of the fender, just make sure that the lip goes behind the side wall part. I can see from the pic where the part over the wheel/tire had a bend that went under the piece of wood with the black (tire) marks on it. You might need to disassemble some of the dinette or all to get working room on the topside. Take a look at the other end or side and I think you will see what I am talking about, good luck with the repair.
  • At long last, enough time and nice weather intersected and I pulled the wheel off my TT to take a look at the damage to the wheel area liner, caused by suspension failure back in December.

    Gallery link - full resolution, explanation of pictures


  • You should be able to attach metal to the wheel well frame from below, rather than disassembling the dinette. The wheels, of course, will need to come off and the trailer properly braced for working underneath.

    Without a picture of the damage, it's difficult to advise that you replace the whole inner liner. It may be that some straightening or reinforcing would be the easiest and most economical way to proceed.
  • westend wrote:
    I DIY'ed a wheel well replacement. I made a frame, attached plywood on the inside and light gauge steel on the wheel side. I also did some refinements but that was the basic drill. Do you have a frame inboard of the dinged aluminum?


    yes, there is a plywood box covering the wheel well, and then my dinette is built on top of that. if need be I can disassemble the dinette
  • one of these days I'll unmount the wheel and put up some pictures. first nice weekend (50s+ F) we've had is now, couldn't resist the urge to head out camping.

    I'm tempted to bang the sheet metal back as best I can and just fill any gaps with foam. really all that's leaking in is road dust, near as I can tell no rodents took advantage of the opening over the winter.
  • I DIY'ed a wheel well replacement. I made a frame, attached plywood on the inside and light gauge steel on the wheel side. I also did some refinements but that was the basic drill. Do you have a frame inboard of the dinged aluminum?