Any way to remove chrome wheel well trim and reuse
 

The 85TD is almost ready to go to the shop for rust repair. There were leaks allowed by a cracked windshield gasket, incorrect sunroof seals, clogged sunroof drains and leaves accumulated at the rear of the drip rails.


This car has chrome trim around the wheel wells and there is a rust hole directly behind the rear passenger chrome. No other corners show rust and I'd like to remove the chrome from the damaged corner and leave the others alone.


See attached pic. Thoughts?


PS, It would be nice if the web master would resize the uploads so posting would be easier. I have no reason to resize other than for this site.

those are attached with small trim screws through the inner lip usually, right? i see no reason you couldn't but i would pull the other ones and check. just because you don't see any rust doesn't mean those chrome pieces aren't hiding some. they tend to trap all the stuff you don't want and can cause rust, as is what likely happened on the one corner.
since you're sending it to the shop it would be a shame to miss some hidden rust that could be mitigated while you're there.

Find the screws and remove them. Throw the chrome away and it won't cause the fenders and quarter panels to rust ever again.

That was a hassle. All screws a pita to remove but came out one way or another. Only 1 fender rusted which is the result of a leak around the quarter glass caused by rust caused by not keeping the sunroof drains clear of leaves.

This will be a good car once the water damage is fixed. I need to find a chunk of a 123 behind the passenger wheel and some interior trim pieces. Will also do the Sanden AC conversion. Hopefully body repair starts in a week or two (or even three - things move slower than expected/liked - but they move).

I have everything removed that I want off for the bodyshop to do its thing. Should I scavenge the piece for the pic above from a yard or are there repair pieces readily available.

If a yard, do the 123 wagon and sedan use the same piece or must it come off another wagon?

I believe the section pictured is the same wagon and sedan. If the molding fits a sedan the piece should be the same, take the molding to the yard to check. KK manufacturing used to sell various patch panels, may be worth contacting them.

Good luck!!!

Its the same where visible, but attaches to the undercarriage differently underneath so it will take a little fabrication depending on how far underneath the rust reaches.