Patched My Fender Well Holes - DIY Instructions & Photos

[Illini4]

Understand, but I expect 90+ percent of S650 owners don't know about this problem and will do nothing to fix it.

Sponsored

 

[Grabber1]

Agreed and probably 15 bucks shipping.

Cost is $94 bucks and free shipping.

 

[Paul's stable]

Followed the instructional Video to patch up the holes behind the front tires in the fender well on my new 24 GT. I have some black RTV adhesive sealent on order to put a small bead along the peremeter edges of the patch. I took a bunch of photos of dry fitting the patch with the supplied foam blocks. I let the passenger side set up for 1 hour and then did the drivers side. I put some additional temporary support against the patch when I moved the blocks from passenger side to drivers side. Let both set 3 hours and then removed all temp supports. The patches fit very well. Here is the link to the kit which cost 94 bucks and free shipping: https://diyvan.com/products/2024-fo...r-panels-kit?_pos=1&_psq=mustang&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Nice job good pictures.

 

[dusman59]

@Illini4 the only plastic are the sideskirts. Rocker panels are metal. Rocker panels give strength to the undercarriage of the Mstang like most other cars.

 

[Illini4]

Checked them with a magnet. They are plastic. May be some metal underneath.

 

[roadpilot]

Good question. Possibly during the build process automation had some device holding the car in position on the assembly line. It's a mystery.

No, it's not. I spoke with the engineers and posted about it in the other thread.

 

[roadpilot]

@OzzieRoss .....I have never been given a rational answer. Hein didn't know nor did Tony Unica. There was speculation the holes were left to install the K frame members but that is wrong. The best guess is that it is just an oversight. What was shown in Tony Unica's video is exactly what happened to me on the long drive back from the dealer. Thankfully there is an easy fix. I wonder if Ford will alter these liners for 2025. I know they read the forums and do react to logical suggestions.

See above. Already answered. I'm not posting it again every time someone starts a new thread.

 

[roadpilot]

@Stang24 ..... just a second guys. Hein had to approach Ford, get the blueprints, scan them into his equipment, FYI the Ford blueprints had to be re-programmed - significantly - by Hein to fit his CAD software and he had to make multiple runs to get it right. These composite "patches" are not just flat pieces they are very intricate. He then had to come up with a procedure to install them so they would stay on - AND - he included the JB weld and foam supports in the package AND he has to package and stock them, print labels and ship them. My thoughts are, having talked with him, he's a SUPER decent guy who does not need the money - or the agro - and is doing this for purely US not himself. $100.00 for this kit? Geez guys that's cheap. It fits perfectly (how many things do you buy that you can say that about).......wait a minute our Mustangs came with holes in the fender liners..... and you get ALL the parts you need. He could ask twice the price and it would be a bargain. He's one of the good guys out there.

Exactly. Too many whiny people who think the world owes them.

 

[roadpilot]

Ford should do a recall and fix this. After my MSRP of over $56K with little or no rebates, Ford now wants me to spend another $100 and time to fix their mistake.

Recalls are safety related. Have you not owned a new car before?

 

[Grabber1]

Checked them with a magnet. They are plastic. May be some metal underneath.

The metal pinch welds run the entire length of both sides of the car starting where these holes are. If the holes are not patched the sand and gravel will build up and the rain water and water from puddles will enter the area and saturate the sand and gravel. It will not dry out easily at all. Then the metal will eventually rust. Yes the plastic will survive.

 

[xrs]

Dam don't ship to Australia

 

[OzzieRoss]

Thanks! I found the answer in the other thread as you mentioned. To save others the effort, here's a link

https://www.mustang7g.com/forums/threads/ford-aerodynamics.161207/post-3278269

 

[Grabber1]

That's great info from that other thread. Do you know where the assembly line photo is located?
MO
I posted a pic in one of the threads about this, these appear to be where the car sits on the assembly jig. In their minds, its not a problem and therefore no "fix" wil be offered. Get the DIYVan kit, its really nice.

Negative.

The engineer that I work with (who contacted the Ford aero engineer Jonathan Gesek, who said it was safe to block off the hole) was finally able to speak to Jonathan's boss over this past weekend.

The slot/hole is 100% there to facilitate the manufacturing process. No, the vehicle is not sitting on something that goes through that slot. Apparently, there's an piece of eqiupment (robot?) of some sort that either uses that hole to access something underneath the liner OR that slot actually accommodates the tool that is used to position the wheel well liner itself.

I asked the engineer (here) what part it helped install, and he said, "We discussed it, but everybody was drinking and I forgot what he told me it held/helped install.

He did indicate that there were no plans to modify the process or "plug" the hole, and that he agreed with Jonathan that there was no harm covering/closing the hole.

For what it's worth, that's what it's for.

I haven't been driving the DH that much lately ... still need to install my DIYVan kit, though. The duct tape is holding, but I don't drive when it's raining.

 

[Grabber1]

A job worth doing is worth doing well. Plus my OCD is level 10 and I'm retired . My black RTV adhesive sealant arrived today.

 

[Supraman]

Understand, but I expect 90+ percent of S650 owners don't know about this problem and will do nothing to fix it.

And in fifteen or twenty years, 90% of 2024 Mustangs will be gone because they're just going to be treated like any other car. But probably 90% of the ones that get this preventative fix will still be around and in pretty good shape because they're getting special enthusiast treatment.

At that point we'll probably be able to buy two different versions of repop fender liners out of a restoration parts catalog, one with the original hole for those going through MCA Division I & II judging and one that has no hole at all for everyone else. The only reason I can think someone might want to skip this mod is if he is hoping for a Division IV Thoroughbred title in 20 years (or Preservation class in ten years) in which case the owner is probably not going to drive it enough to worry about rocks, mud and snow anyway.

Sponsored