Hello everyone. I recently purchased a 94 Sunbird LE, and my driver side door has some rot along some of the bottom of the door.
I just have a question, im afraid of sanding the paint down on that area, because the metal is really weak there, and I'm afraid the whole bottom of my door will sand off completely (theres still the edge of the door but its weak). I duno, what do you guys think? Can I sand the mid-bottom of my door and hope my filler would adhere to the bottom, I dont think it will.
I am really, really strapped for cash right now, and I'm hoping I can whip something up to hold for about a couple of weeks. I just need something good enough to just sweek through safety in a couple of weeks. Is this a project with no hope to achieving my goal?
I looked for used doors at the junk yard but couldn't find any.
I bought primer, chevy black paint, filler + hardener from a paint supplier, Probably going to pick up sealer soon.
I'm sorry if this pisses some of you off, i read the faq, but i'm a beginner (did some plastering/painting at home if that counts, lol) that has no other choice due to funds.
Should i attempt this project or take everything back and save some money for a used door at the junker?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd
Typically rust doesn't disqualify a car for a safety inspection. The car must come equipped with the original factory airbags (if it had them), a horn, working factory seat belts, good brakes, good tires, good suspension, etc. Rust along the bottom of the door does not pose a safety hazard.
It would really help if we knew what state you were in, so that we could tell you what you need to do to pass your inspection.
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Nevermind, your from ontario, here are the laws for exterior inspections:
Ontario law site wrote:
SCHEDULE 1
INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT MOTORCYCLES
BODY WORK
1. (1) The body, sheet metal and equipment shall be inspected and tested for conditions hazardous to occupants, pedestrians or vehicles and,
(a) no bumper, fender or mudguard shall have been removed;
(b) each bumper shall be securely mounted;
(c) each mud flap, where applicable, shall be in position;
(d) no bumper, fender, molding or other part shall have a broken, bent or sharp edge that protrudes in such a way as to constitute a hazard to persons or vehicles;
(e) no hood latch shall be missing or fail to hold the hood closed and no safety catch, in the case of a front opening hood, shall be missing or inoperative;
(f) no tilt cab latch shall be missing or fail to hold the tilt cab latched and no safety catch shall be missing or inoperative;
(g) in the case of a bus or physically-disabled-passenger vehicle, the floor and stepwell covering shall not be so cracked, curled, loose or worn as to present a tripping hazard;
(h) in the case of a bus or physically-disabled-passenger vehicle, each stanchion, grab handle, guard rail and guard panel shall be securely mounted and fastening parts shall not be missing;
(i) where originally installed by the manufacturer, no energy absorbing material shall be missing from stanchions and guard rails or from the tops or sides of seat backs;
(j) every occupant seat shall be securely mounted and shall maintain its position and adjustment;
(k) where required under the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada), no seat belt assembly or its anchorages shall have been removed, rendered partly or wholly inoperative, or modified so as to reduce their effectiveness;
(l) if fitted with a seat belt assembly or assemblies, each belt anchorage shall be secure, each buckle and retractor shall operate as intended, and no belt webbing shall be visibly damaged so as to reduce its effectiveness;
(m) if fitted, a driver's sun visor shall function as intended;
(n) in the case of a bus, other than a physically-disabled-passenger vehicle or a bus used for the purpose of transporting prisoners or other persons held in custody, an emergency exit,
(i) if a door, shall have a clear passageway thereto and be located at the rear of the vehicle or near the rear on the left side of the vehicle, and the release mechanism when actuated shall function from inside the vehicle, as well as from outside the vehicle where fitted with outside release, and the door shall open freely and close securely, and the emergency door audible or visible warning device, if originally fitted, shall function,
(ii) if a hinged pushout window, shall be visually inspected to ensure that it should open outwards when the release mechanism is actuated and adequate directions for the emergency use thereof shall be displayed on or adjacent to the pushout window, and the emergency warning device, if originally fitted, shall function,
(iii) if a non-hinged pushout window, shall have adequate directions for the emergency use thereof displayed on or adjacent to the pushout window, and
(iv) if a roof hatch, shall open outwards when the release mechanism is actuated and a reasonable amount of manual force is applied, and adequate directions for the emergency use thereof shall be displayed on or adjacent to the roof hatch;
(o) each overhead package shelf, if fitted, shall be securely mounted and not have any broken, missing, excessively worn or excessively stretched package retaining components; and
(p) in the case of a physically-disabled-passenger vehicle,
(i) if fitted with wheelchair securement devices, each device anchorage shall be secure, each component part shall operate as intended, and no component part shall have damage, apparent on visual inspection, that would reduce its effectiveness,
(ii) if fitted with occupant restraint assemblies, each component part thereof shall operate as intended, and no component part shall have damage, apparent on visual inspection, that would reduce its effectiveness,
(iii) if fitted with occupant restraint assemblies anchored to the vehicle, each restraint assembly anchorage shall be secure,
(iv) all devices used to secure passenger access or emergency exit doors in the open position shall operate as intended and shall not have damage, apparent on visual inspection, that would reduce their effectiveness,
(v) if fitted with an emergency exit door, the door shall have no fixed obstructions blocking the passage of persons or, in the case of a vehicle used for the transportation of persons in wheelchairs, blocking the passage of wheelchairs, and the door release mechanism when actuated shall function from inside and outside the vehicle,
(vi) if fitted with a ramp or power lift, the means of attachment of the ramp or power lift to the vehicle shall be secure with no fastening parts missing and when the ramp or power lift is in the stored position, it shall be secured, by means other than a support or lug in the door, in such manner as to not pose a potential hazard to occupants of the vehicle,
(vii) if fitted with a power lift, the lift platform shall rise and descend smoothly when activated by the appropriate controls, and
(viii) no plate, cover or energy absorbing material required to protect persons from sharp edges or corners shall be missing or worn or damaged so as to reduce its effectiveness.
(2) The occupant compartment door or doors shall be inspected and tested and,
(a) each occupant compartment door shall open freely when its release mechanism is actuated and shall close securely, and the flexible material on vertical closing edges, where originally fitted, shall not be missing or excessively loose or torn; and
(b) in the case of a motor vehicle having a separate exit door, other than a door to be used only in an emergency,
(i) when the driver's door control is in the "closed" position and the exit door is fully closed, and a moderate amount of manual force is applied in an attempt to open the door, it shall not open, and the audible or visual warning device, if fitted, shall function,
(ii) when the driver's door control is in the position to open the exit door, the brake and accelerator interlock systems, if fitted, shall automatically apply the rear brakes and hold them in the applied position and the engine speed will be prevented from exceeding idle speed until the door control is moved to the "closed" position and the door has closed, and
(iii) when the exit door is fitted with sensitive edges, and the door is not fully closed, manual pressure applied to the edge of each sensitive edge shall cause the door to reopen, and the audible or visual warning device, if fitted, shall function and the brake and accelerator interlock systems, if fitted, shall automatically apply the rear brakes and hold them in the applied position and the engine speed will be prevented from exceeding idle speed until the door control is moved to the "closed" position and the door has closed.
(3) Every exterior compartment door, if fitted, shall be inspected and tested and,
(a) each door shall be securely attached to the body;
(b) each door shall function properly; and
(c) each door shall be equipped with a lock, latch or spring device that shall hold the door closed.
(4) The chassis frame, underbody and body mounts shall be inspected and,
(a) no chassis frame member or structural member of a unitized or monocoque body shall be visibly cracked, perforated by corrosion, or have loose or missing connecting fasteners that may degrade the safety of the vehicle or jeopardize its handling characteristics; and
(b) the underbody, excluding the underbody of a separate cargo body, shall not be visibly perforated by rust or otherwise damaged, or have any opening other than those intended by the manufacturer or a vent referred to in subclause 3 (1) (g) (v) to Schedule 7.
(5) The drive shaft hanger brackets and guards, where originally fitted, shall be inspected and,
(a) no fasteners shall be missing, loose or damaged; and
(b) no drive shaft guard or hanger bracket shall be insecure or missing.
(6) The condition and security of each prescribed mirror shall be inspected and,
(a) no prescribed mirror shall be missing;
(b) each mirror shall be securely mounted and maintain a set adjustment;
(c) no mirror shall be cracked, broken or have any significant reduction in reflecting surface owing to deterioration of the silvering; and
(d) in the case of a motor vehicle where there is no rear window, or the view through the rear window is restricted in such a way as not to afford a driver a clear view to the rear of the motor vehicle, the outside rear view mirror or mirrors shall not be missing.
(7) The windshield and windows shall be inspected and tested and,
(a) where glass is used, there shall be no evidence of its being other than safety glass;
(b) any manufacturer's marking,
(i) on the windshield shall be AS1 or AS10,
(ii) on the side and rear windows at levels requisite for driving visibility shall be AS1, AS2, AS4, AS6, AS10 or AS11, and
(iii) on windows for standing passengers, in interior partitions or in openings in the roof shall be AS1, AS2, AS3, AS4, AS5, AS6, AS7, AS10, AS11, AS12 or AS13;
(c) no material that obstructs the driver's view of the highway or an intersecting highway shall be fitted in the windshield opening or in a side window opening to the left or right of the driver's seat;
(d) no material other than safety glass shall be used for a windshield;
(e) no safety glass in the windshield or in any side window to the left or right of the driver's seat shall be crazed, clouded or fogged, so as to materially impair vision;
(f) no safety glass shall have exposed sharp edges or be missing in part;
(g) banding on exposed edges of safety glass, if originally fitted, shall not be missing, loose or broken;
(h) there shall be no star, stone chip or crack in the area of the windshield swept by the driver's wiper blade, that may interfere with the driver's vision; and
(i) any window to the left of the driver's seat that is suitable for the purpose of permitting a signal by means of the hand or arm shall open readily.
(8) The fuel system shall be inspected and tested and,
(a) no mounting or attachment shall be missing or insecure;
(b) no filler cap shall be missing or insecure; and
(c) no leakage shall be present at any point in the fuel system.
(9) Despite subsection (8),
(a) where the fuel system has been identified as a propane conversion other than an original equipment manufacturer propane fueled motor vehicle conversion, it shall be inspected and tested in accordance with Schedule 7; or
(b) where the fuel system has been identified as an original equipment manufacturer propane fueled motor vehicle fuel system, it shall be inspected and tested in accordance with Schedule 8.
(10) The exhaust system including exhaust manifolds, shall be inspected and,
(a) no exhaust pipe, muffler or tail pipe shall be missing, or insecurely mounted;
(b) no leakage shall be present at any point in the exhaust system, except through drain holes provided by the manufacturer;
(c) no component thereof shall be so located as to cause charring or other heat damage to any wiring, fuel line, brake line or combustible material of the vehicle;
(d) no component thereof shall pass through the occupant compartment;
(e) no component thereof shall be so located or unguarded that an individual may be burned thereby on entering or leaving the vehicle; and
(f) no exhaust system shall be shortened or modified from original equipment so as to fail to direct the exhaust beyond the underbody of the occupant compartment or luggage compartment, and in no case shall the distance between the outlet and periphery of the underbody, past which it directs the exhaust, exceed 15 centimetres.
(11) Where a fifth wheel coupling device is installed, it shall be inspected and,
(a) the fifth wheel shall be fastened securely to the vehicle;
(b) in the case of a fifth wheel secured to the vehicle frame by means of U-bolts, positive stops shall be provided to prevent the fifth wheel from shifting on the frame;
(c) the jaw closure mechanism and locking system shall be in good working order and shall not be broken, cracked or excessively worn; and
(d) the slider mechanisms, if fitted, shall lock securely and shall not show any signs of failure or excessive wear.
(12) Where a trailer hitch is installed, the trailer hitch, hitch mounting and connecting devices for safety cables and chains shall be inspected and tested and,
(a) no trailer hitch or towing structure, to which a trailer hitch is attached shall be insecurely mounted;
(b) no latch mechanism shall fail to close securely;
(c) no part shall be missing, cracked, broken, excessively bent, seized or excessively worn;
(d) no cast or forged hitch shall show any indication that repairs have been made by means of brazing or welding; and
(e) no connecting devices provided at the rear of a vehicle for the attachment of a safety chain or cable shall be insecurely fastened, missing, cracked, broken or excessively worn.
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Regs/English/900611_e.htm
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If you know that rust will prevent your car from passing an inspection, the only way to truely fix it is to get a new door. You may have to drive a bit to another junk yard, but keep calling around until you find one. If the metal is that weak, a temp fix like that is not going to work at all. Besides, if the structural integrity of the door is that "out of whack", IF someone does hit you, it's going to be that much worse from a safety point.
btw, no anger here... you at least read the faqs
Most people don't.
sadly,in new jersey, if you have a sharp edge b/c of rust, they'll fail it. but cover it with duct tape, and its magically safer.
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parts that old usually aren't stocked by most wreckers. they usually put older cars in the u pull it yard.
seeing as your in Toronto i might be able to help you out. we have a u pull it yard at work and theres always lots of 2nd gen j bodys out there. if you come and pull the door off yourself its $50+ tax. but i can probably get you a deal if you really need the door.
standard auto wreckers
1216 sewells rd
Scarborough
or if your closer to aurora you can try carcone's they prices are pretty good.
http://registry.gmenthusiast.com/images/my2005cav/my%20car%20the%20bash.jpg
Thanks for taking the time to post that up shifted. A mechanic i know said that i would not pass safety with that rust. Maybe i'll duct tape the doors if i can get away with it.
The car doesn't have much rust at all, the door is the only place where there is rust on the car really. You can't even notice the rot holes until you know its there. Fallen angel, i can't really drive around cus my car has no plates, and i cant get a temp plate unless my car passes safety first. Its hard for me to get my bros car out cus he uses it most of the time.
My plan is to try to pass safety with some elbow grease, and then in a year or so, to get a parts car or something and replace my driver's door, put sunbird se rims or 3rd gen 16's, SE bumpers. And some z24 side skirts maybe. But i cant do this now, i need to use the money i have on a couple of repairs and insurance.
My question is, do you guys have faith in me to cover up my door rot and make it 'look' safe. I dont care about the true safety of my car, i just want this door to be undercover when i sneak my car over with no plates to a shop about 0.3km away. Or should I sell all my paint and filler back to the place i bought it from, and try to find a junker door.
2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd
Very Cool Superfast, you there all this week?
I'd probably come by this week if i can get a truck or something. Thanks for the heads up. I checked standards online site for their inventory and they showed no 2nd gens and thats why i thought they didnt have anything there.
Thanks man.
2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd
If I'm not mistaken you can look for cavalier doors from the same gen. Should be the same.
-Chris
Thanks superfast, your the best. But i'm going to try my best and try to fix the damage with filler. I already have all the materials ready, i'm just going to give it a go and hope for the best. I'll post some pictures of the damage before, and some pics of the damage after, lol.
If after i'm done, my door looks like ass, and i dont pass safety, i'm going to go to standard auto wreckers and pick up a sunbird or cavalier door.
Thanks for the help everyone, will post pics soon. Peace out
2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd
wow interior is hella clean...
member nejbody
I have the same car as my winter beater. This is the SUPER cheap wai I got it to pass safety. Just to let you know my rust way waaay worse than your too. I got some aluminum tape and taped the rust up. I taped it in lines if that makes sence. Just so it wasnt a messy job. I than got some black rock guard and sprayedit over top. It actually lasts a while cuz this will be the 3rd winter for my beater. Hope that helps!
Im sorry sandra, i dont know what you mean by in the lines, could you help me understand. Did you tape it horizontally or vertically, i duno, i have no clue what you mean. lol. If you can, post or send pictures to ramair320@hotmail.com. Is the tape aluminum specifically or can i used duct tape? Thanks a million.
sunb1rd, thanks a lot man, i don't get much complements on this car. lol The interior looks better in person too. The seats and carpet look brand new, not a stain on them. Everything in the interior works, including a/c which last owner switched the system out to r134-a. I cleaned the interior once right after i bought the car and it has been in the garage for about a month. Now, if only the last owner took care of his exterior the way he did his interior, this car would be perfect.
2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd
I taped it horizontally. You can tape it however works for you. My pics wouldnt help because you can not notice that anything has been done to the car. It looks like a normal clean car in good shape on the outside. I used aluminum tape because It is used on roofing and thought it would be a bit more durable than duct tape.
thats just my opinion because i dont think those cars are worth jack S**t. Which makes them a good winter beater. If you scrap it who cares.
OK And obviously I was being sarcastic. This tape idea wound not be safe. go to a scrap yard and get a new door and rocker panel!!!!! The car isnt worth the gas being out into it but if your gonna fix it, do it good and do it right!!!! the last thing you need is gettign busted for having a junk a** old car or gettign hit and the whole things falls off. the car doesnt have any airbags so you gotta keep it as safe as you can without!
Im going to tape the door. If i feel the car is worth it, i will get a new door in the summer. I was really pissed off today becuase i took the car out around the block and heard a new noise on top of the old noise i have to fix. This car is going to cost me a fortune and i know it.
Jbody everybody, can i pick up the aluminum tape at canadian tire or home depot or something?
On another note, If anyone knows any under the table safety certifications that i can get, email me at ramair320@hotmail.com.
Thanks for the info jbodyeverybody.
2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd
