Importance
Rocker Panels are the significant parts of your vehicle, it provides sustainable support to body structure, and it is the only part of your vehicle that connects the front and backside of your vehicle.
Normally, the rocker panels are located below the vehicle’s doors and between the wheels. Considering its importance, it is important that you keep the rocker panels in good shape.
Besides giving structural support to the vehicle, rocker panels also add safety for the user; whenever you enter or exit from the vehicle, you can use it for assistance.
Why does It need To Be Replaced?
Due to their location, they are exposed and often not cleaned or washed, which eventually turns out in drastic corrosion and decomposition.
Off-road driving and parking lot accidents are also the reasons which highly affects the rocker panels. Ultimately it becomes dangerous as it can fall at any time, therefore replacing it is the only reliable option.
So if your vehicle has got rusting, erosion, or damaged rocker panels, you should replace it as soon as you can.
Replacing rocker panels from the automobile workshops will cost you a lot of money and will also take much time. Plus, repairing it will not last long. Why not replace it yourself?
Yes, you can do the rocker panel replacement if you follow the steps and use the appropriate tools and gears. Having an experience is an advantage, but even if you are going to do it for the first time, this article is going to cover this for you.
Just read it till the end, and you will have sufficient knowledge to replace rocker panels on your own. It will not only extend the life of your vehicle but will also keep you safe.
How to Do It without Welding?
When it comes to joining the metals, welding is the first word that comes to our mind, but welding is not as easy as we think; it involves severe health risks and requires experience and knowledge to work accurately.
Here in this article, we are going to discuss the method of replacing rocker panels, which does not involve the welding process. Other than welding, we can use Slip-on replacements, which does not have need of welding and is easy to carry out.
Preparation and Process
- Gathering the Tools
For performing any kind of job, you need to have the right set of tools and equipment so that you can do your work with perfections.
For the replacement of rocker panels by slip-on method, you mainly need Angle Grinder, because at first, you need to remove the old rocker panel or the parts.
A wire brush for cleaning the parts, a hammer, drill, some handy fasteners, and anti-rust spray, which you can apply on your rocker panels after the replacement.
- Starting Up the Process
As always, safety and well-being should be your top priority at all times. Before doing any kind of work, you need to make sure that you are doing the task in an open area with a relaxed mind and have enough time to complete the task.
You also need to wear personal protective equipment for your own safety; in the case of replacing the rocker panels, gloves would be necessary.
- Steps to be Followed
Once you are fully prepared to perform the action, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and start. Take your vehicle in an open place where you can easily do your work without getting any disturbance, and then elevate your vehicle using a jack at a position where you feel comfortable to work on.
After that, the first thing you need to do is to remove or cut the damaged part from your old rocker panel; make sure to cut appropriately so that the new panel can easily be replaced and fit in the body structure.
After this, you need to clean the remaining parts properly and grind the area while you keep on checking the position in which the new panel can fit at its best.
Once you find a good position, you need to drill the holes at least 2 inches away, and it is preferred to mark the hole before drilling so that it fits accordingly. Here you can also apply a self-etching primer for smoothness and quality.
Now is the time to attach the slip-on panel and starts filling the drilled holes with appropriate fasteners and bolts.
Keep the panel in position while placing it, securely tight the fasteners once all are filled. Now you can apply an anti-rust spray or paint to increase the life expectancy and to make it look attractive.
- Things to Remember
When replacing the rocker panels, the first thing you need to make sure that you are getting the right model of the new rocker panels.
Vehicle type is also an important point to consider, so you should check it properly before ordering the new rocker panel.
The other thing you need to be careful about is that you are getting the new rocker panels of the side of the vehicle on which you are working on.
Sometimes it happens that you need to replace the right side, but you end up ordering the left side rocker panels.
As it may be your first try, you need to be relaxed, and you should take your time as much as you want.
Going through this guide and following the steps properly, you can successfully replace the rocker panel without facing the hassle; the only thing you need is the passion for doing it yourself.
