[Vwdiesel] Will this finally kill my rabbit diesel?

[Nate Wall]

About the only thing I can think of is to find one in a salvage yard and have the staff there cut a section out from another Rabbit, a hair larger than your damaged area. Then have a skilled welder weld it in for you. They do this w/ Beetle floor pans. I think I saw Rabbit pan halfs for sale at The Parts Place (in their catalog, made aftermarket. I'm not sure if this would be economically feasable, though.

--nate

David Rounds wrote:

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> Hi all,
>
> I have an '81 Rabbit diesel LS (actually I sold it to a good friend about a year ago) that has a section of rotten floor pan.  This is on the passenger side around where the lower A arm connects.  This is really the only rust problem on the entire car.  Sure a little here and there but looking at the body you would never expect the extent of rust damage to the floor pan.  My question is can this be repaired.  The local mechanic that my buddy took the car to for it's annual inspection say's that the damage is terminal.   He mentioned that he could see the floor pan flex when he put the car on the lift.  He maintains that there is no easy way to safely repair the damage.   Does anyone know if there are repair panels for fixing a rabbit floor pan?  The upper strut housing are very sound and show no sign of rust.   I ask because this is a very, very nice 4dr. Rabbit with AC,  the interior is in very good shape and despite this problem so is the exterior.  On top of that I put a new short block into the car about 40K miles ago.  At the very least he will pull the engine, but there is so much nice stuff on this car it's a shame to crush it.  It even has the original Rabbit full wheel covers.   Anyone ever fix this type of rust damage to a Rabbit?
>
> If it can't be fixed, does anyone know of a good body for sale in New England waiting for an almost fresh motor?
>
> Thanks,
> Dave
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