Front
Wheel Wells
Probably
the most common area on a coupe to have rust is in the front
wheel well and firewall area. There's an inherent design
flaw in the area behind the front wheels and infront of
the firewall that allows water and moisture to collect.
All of the seams that connect the sheet metal panels in
this area are like wicks to the moisture, spreading throughout
the entire area from the inside. Usually the first sign
of a problem is small bubbles in the paint on the outside
lower portion of the fender (shown below). This is rust
forming from the inside, so by the time bubbles show up
on the outside there is a lot of damage that has already
occurred. Use a flashlight and inspect up toward the rear
of the fender area for signs of rust in the seams. The boxed
section is visible with a triangular shaped opening in the
side. Follow the seams down where the fender and door meet,
and also inspect from inside the car in the fuse box and
glovebox areas.
