FENDER WELDS

[John Betsch - "SADIE"]

On my euro car, if you look at the picture of the fender welds, you see a series of rubber plugs which I don't see in  other weld pictures?  They are on both sides.  Ideas?  I know the car had the bottom undercoated  (~1976) with a spray-oil graphite/molybdenium in Germany- could they be from that, and is that common Germany practice

[Steve.k]

The rubber grommets are normal, but they were originally painted the body color.   However, the spot welds do not appear normal.   The lower row is not original, nor is the vertical row.   The spacing of the top row is not as neat and evenly spaced as the factory original.   I’d say that fender was replaced with a decent attempt to match the original. 

[John Betsch - "SADIE"]

Thank you Steve, (and everyone else who might also reply) for taking the time to provide information about my inquiry.  Everyday I learn more and more.  JB

[louie2]

My 280SL has welds but no plugs. What was purpose of plugs? My car to my knowledge has original fenders.

[Pawel66]

It has been mentioned recently (cannot find the post now) - the plugs were there to cover holes. And the holes were introduced after 68 to improve access for rust protection purposes - at least this is how I understood the theory. That would be the root cause I guess.

ok, found it: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=20934.msg148619#msg148619

[Shvegel]

Pawel is correct the holes were not there until 1968.  I would assume they were added to allow the dipped primer to reach the inside of the frame areas of the chassis.  At first the holes were plugged after priming the body and painted along with the rest of the chassis  but later on the holes were left without plugs.  I am thinking 70-71 cars had the holes unplugged but I have seen many restored cars with unpainted plugs which may not be correct.

[Shvegel]

The lower row of spot welds are indeed correct.  That is the lower welds for the inner structure reinforcement (spear) in the wheel well.  Looks totally correct to me.  These cars were welded by guys with tong welders so the rows are never totally even or consistent.  The welds were kept low on the fenders so as not to distore the crown of the fender where additional bodywork may have been needed.

[johnk]

They look similar to my welds which are original

[Steve.k]

I stand corrected, my bad. Sorry for the confusion.  Mine has the lower row as well. 

[Mike Hughes]

To tell the truth, I think those black plugs look like "Ziebart plugs." Ziebart performs rustproofing services using their own employees in their own shops.  They will drill access holes to insure proper coverage inside body cavities like the one in the "ledge" structure above the wheels in the front wheel wells, then plug the holes.  For some, seeing "Ziebart plugs" is a sign that a previous owner went the extra mile to preserve the vehicle.  Search elsewhere around your Pagoda's body and you may find more of these plugs.


If johnk has a photo of the wheel side side of the inner fender you will see the "ledge" structure to which I am referring.

[Pawel66]

The plugs on the picture indeed do not look like Mercedes plugs. Are Ziebart plugs marked with logo or descriptions?

That would be good thing to know...

[49er]

 No plugs on my July '68 build car. Picture show the welds also.

John

[Mike Hughes]

I don't remember if they had any markings or not, I just remember the black rubber plugs in the Honda Accord I had Ziebarted back in the late 70's looked just like the ones in the photo SADIE posted.

[Shvegel]

They look like the factory rubber plugs to me.

[114015]

Shvegel is right.
Clearly look to me as factory parts as well.

A113 987 0044   


Achim

[Shvegel]

Factory plug:

[johnk]

This is a pic of the ledge mike Hughes was referring to above

[Pawel66]

Factory plug:

I do not see the markings on the other picture. Could be the time wiped them a bit, could be the picture quality. If markings are not there - I have seen many generic plugs of similar shape.