Existing inner fender damage?

[bimmerborn]

The following pictures are taken from my car, thru the inner front fender hole. I took these pictures just before I cover the holes. At the time the car had 26 miles on it, mostly highway from dealer to home. I have hard time believing my driving caused this. I see rust on a 1 day old car.
I'm interested to know your thoughts.

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[Grabber1]

Since the holes in the fender liners were to aid the production assembly process at Flatrock I would say those scuffs on the pinch weld edges were made at the factory. I suggest a light sanding on the edge and then use the factory touch up paint 2 coats.

 

[MAT1955]

@bimmerborn .....mine was like that that after a few hundred miles but a local Mustang group member had that at 30 miles +/-. I looked at a new DH at a local dealership on purpose with a flashlight and it did not have that damage. Discussions with guys at local Mustang meets about the issue - some said no damage at all when they picked their cars up (then put tape or stuffed socks/rags into the holes until they got home and ordered their kits) some didn't look until they saw the Tony Unica posts and found chips and rust and many, like me, found a ton of stones and gravel all over the place under the belly and side pans then sanded cleaned, primed and painted the front curved pinch welds and K frame areas then installed the covers from DIYvan.com. You don't have your drive far for stones/road debris to be fired at that front pinch weld and K frame as they hit with a pretty significant velocity. That Ford has made this error is human but for Ford to not issue a warning to dealers and particularly owners of new vehicles is IMO dirtbag behavior. As far as I know Ford has still not publicly acknowledged this or warned dealers/owners. I have been buying Fords since the 70's and have dropped a lot of coin in their pockets. I was real pi$$ed at Ford when I got my new 2024 Mustang GT Premium home and found the damage I did. Ford monitors forums and Tony posted his video as did others all over - I bet a wad that Ford knew this real soon after the first 2024s were delivered. At no point has Ford (I asked) or anyone said this was to aid production/assembly. Looking at the area no one has said there was any need for these areas to be open and guys who have studied Ford assembly line videos can't see any need. BUT - if it was indeed necessary why has Ford been silent for a year. IMO - shameful!

 

[MAT1955]

@bimmerborn .....mine was like that that after a few hundred miles but a local Mustang group member had that at 30 miles +/-. I looked at a new DH at a local dealership on purpose with a flashlight and it did not have that damage. Discussions with guys at local Mustang meets about the issue - some said no damage at all when they picked their cars up (then put tape or stuffed socks/rags into the holes until they got home and ordered their kits) some didn't look until they saw the Tony Unica posts and found chips and rust and many, like me, found a ton of stones and gravel all over the place under the belly and side pans then sanded cleaned, primed and painted the front curved pinch welds and K frame areas then installed the covers from DIYvan.com. You don't have your drive far for stones/road debris to be fired at that front pinch weld and K frame as they hit with a pretty significant velocity. That Ford has made this error is human but for Ford to not issue a warning to dealers and particularly owners of new vehicles is IMO dirtbag behavior. As far as I know Ford has still not publicly acknowledged this or warned dealers/owners. I have been buying Fords since the 70's and have dropped a lot of coin in their pockets. I was real pi$$ed at Ford when I got my new 2024 Mustang GT Premium home and found the damage I did. Ford monitors forums and Tony posted his video as did others all over - I bet a wad that Ford knew this real soon after the first 2024s were delivered. At no point has Ford (I asked) or anyone said this was to aid production/assembly. Looking at the area no one has said there was any need for these areas to be open and guys who have studied Ford assembly line videos can't see any need. BUT - if it was indeed necessary why has Ford been silent for a year. Most important of all IF (which I doubt) the holes were production necessary and Ford saw the resultant damage why weren't kits made available or at least dealers/owners warned. IMO - shameful!

 

[Will2]

IMO - shameful!

Totally agree. Most likely this will remain unacknowledged by Ford and nothing will happen until the 2027s get silently updated or something.

I wonder if anyone has seen a 2025 and if they still have these holes.

 

[ListedGuru]

Since the holes in the fender liners were to aid the production assembly process at Flatrock I would say those scuffs on the pinch weld edges were made at the factory. I suggest a light sanding on the edge and then use the factory touch up paint 2 coats.

I noticed my pinch welds are pretty scuffed up as well and I've had the holes taped for several months since new so most likely came from the factory like that. I'm getting ready to install the DIYVan kit but not sure what to do about the pinch welds? It looks like the general recommendation is to sand them and paint them (I have factory touch up paint) but do we need to get the car up in the air to paint them? I snapped a few pictures of that area with my phone to look at the area but I'm curious if anyone was able to paint those pinch welds without getting the car up in the air? It's a tight squeeze in there so not sure how I would see what the hell I'm painting, lol.

 

[Grabber1]

I noticed my pinch welds are pretty scuffed up as well and I've had the holes taped for several months since new so most likely came from the factory like that. I'm getting ready to install the DIYVan kit but not sure what to do about the pinch welds? It looks like the general recommendation is to sand them and paint them (I have factory touch up paint) but do we need to get the car up in the air to paint them? I snapped a few pictures of that area with my phone to look at the area but I'm curious if anyone was able to paint those pinch welds without getting the car up in the air? It's a tight squeeze in there so not sure how I would see what the hell I'm painting, lol.

Possibly turn the drivers side wheel hard left to allow better access. Opposite for passenger side. Also you could take the wheel off.

 

[ListedGuru]

Possibly turn the drivers side wheel hard left to allow better access. Opposite for passenger side. Also you could take the wheel off.

Yes I'm going to try turning the wheel to get a better look up in there. Unfortunately I'm limited here with my setup so taking the wheel off is not a good option but I can probably do it at a relatives house if need be. Thanks.

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