Everything You Need To Know About Car's Quarter Panel & Box Side

A structural part of the vehicle's frame is a quarter panel that is located on the rear end of the car and is often referred to as a rear wing. It is used as a member of the unibody structure on the external part of the car and is welded or even bonded to the chassis frame. These parts can be found on either side of the car. For pickup trucks, the quarter panels are referred to as Box panels as they represent a boxy shape and cover the length of the truck bed.

This is one of the reasons why the replacement of the quarter panel is a very complicated task, which must be left to the professionals. Often times they are repaired instead of replacing in case of minor collisions, as this requires less work and can save a hefty repair bill.

Quarter panel or rear wings can be found above the rear wheels A quarter panel is the body panel of an automobile between a rear door and the trunk and typically wraps around the wheel well. The similar front section between the door and the hood is called a Car Fender or front wing but is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a quarter panel.

The quarter panel is part of the unibody and acts as a structural member of the frame. It is placed near the c pillar and trunk or rear bumper. Its primary function is to protect the chassis frame while also providing a more aesthetic look to the rear of the car since an exposed chassis frame doesn’t look that satisfying. They act as crumple zones in case of direct side collisions and help protect the frame by absorbing the impact energy. Aesthetic wise these parts help define the look of most cars and can have a significant say in the overall design. Hence, having a damaged quarter panel may not only cause severe harm to the frame but may also spoil the look of your car.

The likelihood of the quarter panel being sealed off is high to prevent water or moisture from getting into it that can cause a lot of damage and ultimately require a complete replacement part. Although wear and tear with daily use can also damage the quarter panel allowing water to seep in and corrode the walls of the panel and if left as is, it can also damage the chassis frame. Hence it is recommended to always have a thorough look at the quarter panels and make sure they do not show any signs of failure. In case of a side collision, the quarter panel absorbs the impact energy and gets deformed. This will require either a proper restoration job or a complete replacement.

Side accidents will render the quarter panel deformed and damaged. Water and moisture are perhaps the biggest enemies as they can rigorously impair the panels and ultimately the chassis which can be catastrophic for the vehicle. A keen inspection ought to highlight most of the quarter panel problems and it is always advised to do regular checkups.

Are you thinking of repairing your Quarter Panel & Box Side on your own? Then there is one thing which you must have, that is the right tools needed for repairing your Quarter Panel & Box Side. It is essential to make sure that you are outfitted with the right tools to get the work done properly. Have a look at some tools which you might need to get started with your repair work:-

The replacement of a quarter panel is an elaborate process and involves many specialized and body shop tools some of which are:

• Spot Weld Tools
• Steel Scraper
• Air Hammer
• Air Saw
• Air Sander
• Air Grinder
• Air Drills
• Punches and Chisels
• Hammer
• Welding Equipment

When it comes to vehicle owners choice, the brands really matter a lot. You might pay a premium for a specific car part brand, over time, as it has created a perception of quality, stability as well as trust. There are some leading car parts brands which are more than just products or services as they give rise to memories and emotions related with the quality. So have a look at some top brands for Quarter Panel & Box Side.

It is very important to arm yourself with information before you shop any auto part. We are here to help you dive deep into the names of the Quarter Panel & Box Side related parts.

Knowing all associated parts to the quarter panel can be important for a complete restoration job:

• Fuel Door
• Rear Bumper
• Tailgate
• Wheel Well
• Car Fender
• Vehicle Door

Regular checkups and inspection can be done to analyze any potential problem and prevent further development that could cause major damages. If the car has been in a side collision it is advised to have the car checked by a professional and repair it immediately. The price of a quarter panel depends on the length or size of the panel and varies across all cars.

The proper removal and installation of a quarter panel and box side involves many different steps and procedures and is very complex employing an array of different tools and hence should be left to the professionals. For an understanding of what the entire procedure is here is a brief step by step guide:

• It is always recommended to try and fix the body damage in case of deformities instead of complete removal of the panel as it is welded, and in some cases even bonded, to the chassis and improper fitting of the replacement part could have potentially catastrophic results like chassis corrosion.
• First step for replacement is to remove any part near the quarter panel such as the side skirts, taillights, rear-wheel, wheel well, rear quarter glass, rear bumper, rear door and if necessary the rear glass or windshield. The car is jacked on a stand.
• Then using an air hammer, the quarter panel is cut away in a rough manner without touching the underlying structure. This step is usually optional and is done to prevent unnecessary damage to the internals.
• All spot welds are located and using either a drill or grinder, are removed..The spot welds will be located across the door, the quarter glass housing, across the tailgate and the wheel well.
• The panel is now cut off from the chassis frame using an air hammer or air saw.
• The old spot welds are sanded away to expose the bare metal.
• The new panel is cut to size and placed in position to start spot welding. Using the appropriate welding equipment, all the spot welds are redone and the new quarter panel will be in place.
• Finishing touches are given and all the other parts are reinstalled.