In a message dated 12/5/05 8:46:39 AM Eastern Standard Time,
gronski@GMAIL.COM writes:

> I missed the begining of this thread, but I'll add my $0.02 on my
> experience. My passenger side rear wheel well flare was damaged by an
> accident with a deer by the previous owner. It was pulled back into
> place but since developed seem rust between the upper pannel and the
> flare.
>
> Therefore I would recomend replaceing the panel and the flare at the
> same time with one complete panel. Doug is correct they can be
> replaced serperatley but then you have to worry about that seam. Have
> a look at the panels available here, they are the one-piece pannel and
> flare and are only $16 more than the price of the arch alone:
>
> http://www2.cip1.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=602
>
> Chris
>
> On 12/4/05, Doug F <vanagon@astound.net> wrote:
> > The fender "flare" is actually a separate piece of metal that can be
> > replaced.
> > Many vanagons have the passenger side rolled in.
> > If you look there is a seam right above the flare that allows you to cut
> the
> > flare out of the body and replace it
> > When I last saw them they were running about $39 bucks each side.
> >
>

 replacing a whole panel because of a dent is making more work and
introducing the possibility for more rust.
ANY time you disturb the original seam/body integrity you will never get it
back to the tolerances and body integrity the van was originally built with, i
dont care how good of a bodyman you are..  i guarantee the seams around a
replaced panel will rust out quicker than if you had left the original panel in
place, and just pulled the dent.

i know this well, i like in PA - salt country..  and bad quality body repairs
dont last long here.

chris