Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

The shop has the front fenders off. Still attached to the door pillar is what looks like might have been a cushion of some sort between this pillar and the front fender. It is about 1.5" wide and runs down between the bolts.

Is this just the remains of the old front fender mounting surface or was there really something there at one point?

Mark

I think what you are talkiing about is a mount for the bottom of the retractable antenna.
Driver's side only?

Should have included a fender. Here is the strip on the passenger side. Just in front of the door.

Thanks!

Mark

Looks like a water-capture, rust-creator device to me. Perhaps it's a strip to prevent rubbing/squeaks? Maybe to keep debris out of that portion of the fender?
Ya got me

Sorry, I was thinking different. Mine doesn't have that strip but I think both fenders have been off in the past when other objects got in the way of the moving car. I don't think there was anything there other than a fender. It may have been an anti rattle measure?

All the cars that have not had their fenders removed will have this. I believe it's some kind of horse hair or other such material, and yes it did seem to cause some rust. I think it was some kind of seal or anti-rattle effort. It' not a nice level surface there so I think it's just an effort to seal things. I replaced mine with closed cell foam, like what is used to seal windows or mount truck canopies (available in thinner strips about an inch wide or so) available at hardware stores. I may have left mine off the last time I did the fenders though.

I can see that. Provides a barrier from wheel splash up into the door hinge area.

So no noticeable increase in rattle over bumps?

Rattles? What rattles!

With a comp suspension and stiff shocks my doors rattle plenty, but I doubt I would be able to hear or perceive any rattling from that area. If you want to be sure, the foam stuff works just fine and should not hold moisture. Cheap insurance.

I went back out to take another look and there is a shadow where the strip once was. A rust barrier to keep the rust in I suppose.

68DSU wrote:A rust barrier to keep the rust in I suppose.

Absolutely! We wouldn't want that rust getting together with some Lucas smoke that escaped from some British wiring, would we? There'd be h$ll to pay if that happened.

markjhatch wrote:I can see that. Provides a barrier from wheel splash up into the door hinge area.

So no noticeable increase in rattle over bumps?

I sprayed undercoat on the A pillar and on the fender. removed foam remnants. all 6 bolts are installed, it shouldnt squeak. I may weather caulk from the tire side and reapply undercoat. I tried a couple of different gaskets, however that .100" hindered proper door, sill and hood gap/alignment.