1986 Rocker Panel Repair

I decided to remove the right side rocker panel in order to repair a cracked lower lip near the front where the jacking points are.  The black lip apparently extends a bit lower than the frame and it cracked when lifting with a floor jack.

I discovered that to remove the back end, it was necessary to remove some of the Torx #10 screws holding the wheel well on.  Then I had to reach in from the back and remove the 7mm bolt holding the top part of the rear rocker.  the other fasteners along the side were 7mm and torx #10. 

The front of the rocker was fastened through the wheel well using two fasteners.  The top one was a torx #30 but the bottom was attached with some kind of broad flat head fastener with no way to grip it.  It just had a small hole in the center.  I finally hack sawed it off and was finally able to remove the rocker. 

I repaired the crack with JB Weld and then I painted the area with flat black. 

I got it installed OK but had to use a new clip and bolt on the bottom front in the wheel well. 

I cannot understand why GM used that kind of fastener.  Perhaps later C4s were different.

Any comments?

The description sounds like it was a rivet, and not a bolt/screw type fastener.

Yes, it probably is a rivet rather than a removable fastener.  My question is why would GM do that if it was ever intended to be removed so that the rocker panel could come off?  Do any of you early C4 owners have the same situation?

Ran into a similar situation when I replaced all of the weather stripping on my convertible. There are 3 rails on each side that hold the rubber and the factory used a variety of screws to mount them to the frame. I was prepared for this after reading a few DIY articles that talked about the inconsistency and how important it was to keep track of which screw went to it's original hole.

I just removed both rocker panels on my 93 a few days ago due to jack damage. That's what I get for taking the car to the dealer! The fasteners were as you described except that the front ones were both torx. I think the lower fastener was larger. Are you sure your "mystery fastener" was original and not something someone just stuck in there? Are you happy with the JB Weld repair. I'm trying to figure out the best way to fix mine.

767flyer:
I bought my '86 Coupe new so it has not been messed with.  The left side rocker has the same odd fastener as the right side did.
The JB Weld worked good.  Make sure you let it set for day before you reinstall the rocker.  I was not sure it would work with fiberglass as the instructions said nothing about it or plastic.  But it seems as strong as when it was new. 


|UPDATED|8/26/2013 6:13:45 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|