Rocker Sleeves
 

Hello everyone,
I am in the midst of repairing my RX8 and their happened to be a small hole in the rocker that became a large hole in the rocker very fast. I knocked all the rotted metal out with a hammer and then sanded what was left with 40 grit. About 1/3 of the rocker is gone so I ordered a pair of rocker sleeves. My intention is to use epoxy to attach this. Does anyone have any experience with this? I'm wondering how much glue to apply.

I have the same issue, have a hole about the size of my fist just under the passenger door (and I havent fully sanded everything around it to see how far it really goes yet). I would cut out the old and weld the new rocker on, thats what I am planning anyway. Never heard of anyone using epoxy. Where did you get the rockers? Here are the ones I was considering.

https://www.millsupply.com/auto-body...-2510440el.php

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...fdf18aa81c.jpg

I got mine at
https://www.noramstore.ca/i-27186630...nger-side.html

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...afb6bea949.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...e1067c4715.jpg
my damage actually tapers off and stops at the 2nd or 3rd hole for the rubber guard mounts. The sleeve also covers the hole at the side so I figured I'd just epoxy it on and use fiberglass filler and mesh to do the whole under the mud flap.

However after test fitting today I have too much good rocker panel so the sleeve doesn't mate up to the pinch weld underneath.

I was going to cut away with my tin snips what was 2 rusty that would be covered. Then use rust converter on the inner then just glue this on and paint. But since I'm having fitment issues I'll have to consult with my father inlaw.

Hmm,yea your damage is worse than mine. I would suggest cutting all the rust away and then trimming the rocker panel you got to fit, then welding it in place. You could probably even get a place to weld it in place pretty cheaply, then complete the rest of the repair yourself with some body filler and paint.

Good to see someone saving another 8. Doing the same with mine .. both quarter panels.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...r-rust-269041/

Agree with Chris I think those rockers need to but cut and welded in. It looks like too big of a job for epoxy/quick fix

so since the rockers I ordered didnt fit and I was thinking about a body kit anyways I just ordered a kit with skirts to go the rather large hole I ended up cutting with my grinder. I just need to send away my rust and paint under to keep the rust away.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...10b17e429f.jpg

I also ordered fender flares.

Sorry to hear the rockers didnt fit. I dont think a side skirt will cover that hole though? You could always buy some 18 or so gauge sheet metal to weld in. Also, get yourself some POR15, rust reformer, or something similar. You'll need to seal that all off so water cant get to it again.

I have taken my grinder to the inside with a wire wheel and that go ride of most the rust. then I sprayed it down with rust converter. and followed up with primer and paint. my father inlaw showed me how to make a templet for the rocker so if the skirts dont cover it I can just go by a fabrication shop and get it made.

Cool, sounds like your going about it the right way.

I ended up taking a peace of metal and shapping out a template for the rocker profile. I then took it and the none fitting sleeve to a local fab shop. I explained how the sleeve fits properly length wise and has the correct notch out for the doors but how it falls short on the width and I showed them my templet and said it needs to be remaid with the profile of my templet.
They said 1 week and 450 Canadian. They also loved that I brought them templet.

I recently completed mine, made a fiberglass repair for now so I could pass inspection this season. Hoping to do a proper metal repair over winter.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...2bb05088c1.jpg

Nice looking work!