Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks


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Joined: Jan 2003
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DSVW Offline OP
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Hi,

I have a 1956 Chevy Bel air 4 door sedan.
It is in beautiful condition, but the rear wheel wells need to be replaced.

Can someone please explain to me what needs to be replaced to rebuild the wheel wells and what the parts are called? I can't find a schematic online. It is not rusted in the trunk, just the immediate area above and behind the actual tires.

Thanks.

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try searching "56 chevy wheel housings" or "56 chevy wheel tubs" .


Steve D
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Can't find anything on it.
I thought the wheel tubs were what was visible from the trunk. Those tubs are fine. It is what is in the well that needs replacing. I'll keep looking. Thanks.

Last edited by DSVW; 01/16/23 10:48 PM.
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Sometimes the GM part description can be confusing. I remember one of the first things I had to look for in a GM parts catalog was a fuel gauge sender. Finally found it listed as UNIT, Fuel gauge , at tank.


Steve D
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Is the part that is visible in the trunk the inner wheelhouse and the part next to the tire the outer wheelhouse?

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That is the wheel housing. Check with the 1955-1957 vendors. I think they are being reproduced.


Gene Schneider
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Is the problem is a half-moon shaped rust line on the quarter panel? It was a common problem when dirt and salt collected at the rubber seal between quarter panel and wheel housing.


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The quarter panel looks ok but I won't really know until I get into it. It is the well above the tire that has deteriorated. I thought it was actually a rubber and steel part, but I will have to take everything out to see what the parts are. I am trying to locate a diagram that shows me what panels are that are actually in there. I think it is a housing and maybe some type of rubber gasket.

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You will find that it is almost impossible to replace the rear wheel house in a body with no rust. On a 75 year old car there will be rust where the wheel house is welded to the body floor etc. making it impossible to reattach the souronding patrs. Would be like doing a heart transplant on a 100 year old person.
The was a foam rubber strip between the wheel house and the quarter panel. Here in the rust belt the water soaked foam ruber would cause rust to come through the quarter panel skin.. Was a poor idea in the body constuction.
If it were my car I would patch the bad areas and cover with body seam sealer and or rubberized under coating rather than opening an (expensive) can of worms.

Last edited by Chev Nut; 01/17/23 04:12 PM.

Gene Schneider
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Thanks for the advice.


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