Front fender crack

[Superhart]

I noticed a small crack in the front edge of the driver side Fender beginning in the front of my left front fender on my 1930 Model A. The crack is mostly in the bead at the front of the fender in the middle of the “eyebrow“. The crack has resulted in the arch of the fender “peaking” like a “carat” symbol. I want to get this repaired as quickly as possible before the crack spreads further since the fender is basically in excellent condition overall. I would also like to get this repaired without actually removing the fender from the vehicle. If anyone else has had a similar problem, I would appreciate comments and/or suggestions on how to repair this crack. I want a permanent repair, such as welding or brazing and hopefully not using a bunch of “Bondo“. Any comment sour suggestions would be welcome.

[Brentwood Bob]

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...+metal+repairs

This might help.

[nkaminar]

I am sorry, but I would recommend removing the fender for a professional repair. You will have to remove the body bolts and jack up the body a few inches to get the fender off the car. Look around for a shop in your area that specializes in body work on older cars. It will have to be repainted after the repair.

[Oldbluoval]

Likely the fender was mounted under stress. Improper mounting with brace and light bar can cause such stress. Post 3 is spot on. When relieving stress you will likely need to heat brace and/or light bar. That would require repainting both. ….no easy fix.

BTW NO BRAZING

[CWPASADENA]

Do not have it brazed, have it welded!!!

A repair that was brazed makes it MUCH more difficult to do anything with should it need additional repair in the future.

Chris W.

[Phil Brown]

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Yep, brazing has its place but it's NOT fixing the crack in a sheet metal fender.

[tin man]

In order to fix the crack properly you must first fix the wire that the sheet metal is wrapped around.

[jeepguy1948]

I realize that the comments are getting gloomier and gloomier and I’m sorry to add more but broken beads can also be the result of a bent frame. Stress is what it’s all about.

[ronn]

easier to get another fender..............


welding it up doesnt work, if you dont fix the root of the problem

[WHN]

Originally Posted by tin man

In order to fix the crack properly you must first fix the wire that the sheet metal is wrapped around.

Many years ago I had a crack on the front passenger side fender right at the top. The car had just been painted and I was really upset.

However, my old time body man who had done the body repairs and painted the car said not to worry.

With fender still on the car. He fixed the wire running up the fenders edge and then repaired the paint. That was in 1983.

Sold the car in 2022. Crack never came back.

Enjoy.

[jeepguy1948]

Those kind of guys are very hard to find these days unfortunately, if you find a good one, treat him real nice.