What is this and why is it here

[wideopen1967]

Looking into the rear of the front fenderwell. This is some sort of cover for the inner fender. This is the only rust of any concern I have found on this entire truck. What is this for? Where can I buy a replacement for the right and left side? And the ultimate question, why in the world did GM make this out of such a crappy material so it would rust like this???

[Sodak]

Not sure but i have that on my 81 as well... And i'd like to know as well.

[Jonboy]

It is a reinforcement for the inner fender. The bolt that goes through it supports the inner fender by holding it to the cab. The only way to replace the reinforcement is to either drill it off of another inner fender or replace the inner alltogether.

[77K10Silverado]

So your saying the extra piece of metal (reinforcement tab) comes on the new tubs? These are only like $40 a piece and if the tab I'd rusted you gotta think there is more rot somewhere else on the tub.

http://www.classicparts.com/1973-80-.../#.VFlvI2K9KK0

[john@thepier]

That piece dose not come with the inner fender. I have two nos inner and that piece dose not come with. Most be a separate part number for it. John

[wideopen1967]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

It is a reinforcement for the inner fender. The bolt that goes through it supports the inner fender by holding it to the cab. The only way to replace the reinforcement is to either drill it off of another inner fender or replace the inner alltogether.

I got all three bolts out. It seems to be glued to the inner fender some sort of way.

Surely someone on here has pics of this disassembled...

[wideopen1967]

Originally Posted by john@thepier

That piece dose not come with the inner fender. I have two nos inner and that piece dose not come with. Most be a separate part number for it. John

So it does not attach to the cab?

[tucsonjwt]

In all of the square inner fenders I have seen that reinforcement appears to be part of the inner fender itself - maybe factory spot welded. Keith should be able to provide the final verdict.

If you replace the inner fenders you should seek advice on the quality of aftermarket inner fenders. I have not heard good things about fit and finish and thickness of the aftermarket sheet metal. Also, shipping on these parts is a lot since they are very large (but not very heavy.) Damage in shipment is typical and LMC states so in their listings. Good used OEM is always my choice if possible.

[1774btcrew]

It is hard to find nice ones that don't have rust somewhere on the 1980 and earlier trucks. I had a customer that needed a pair and I pulled a total of 6 before I got him a nice pair. A lot will look good until you remove them then you see the rust on the inside of that brace. These were all Arizona trucks too! Definitely a design flaw!

[SkinnyG]

I repaired the rust home through and behind both of mine, but did not reinstall them. Since they do not "seal," they will collect crud and just rust through again - so I did not replace them. I will find out how important they are once something fails (the inner fender itself?).

[trixter99]

I have never installed a oem set of inner fenders that didn't have that brace on them.

[john@thepier]

I will have to go look again, but do not think I saw them on my nos pair, will report back. John

[tucsonjwt]

Here in the deep south desert most of the inner fenders I see are 81-87 and they are usually rust free, including this brace, but they also usually have dents, dings, extra holes, etc. It should be noted that a lot of these old squares out here originally came from the rust belt when their owners relocated to the sunbelt, so they came here with rust to start with. I did get a mint pair off a Suburban but decided not to use them, since mine were not as bad as I thought - they are gathering dust in the shed now.

[Axle]

Up here in the rust belt, mine rusted off around the bolt. There is a tab on the cab they bolt to, and around that tab a square-c-shaped hole around the tab. I just patched it and didn't worry about adding anything to the inner fender as a means of support. Probably used more as a noise eliminator rather than true reenforcement (just count how many bolts hold on the inner fender, it ain't going anywhere, but the cab/inner fender touching can produce noise.

Alex.

[motornut]

Its a road spray area,starts the rust on the bolt,and it spreads.
it usually is a fix area up here,most years.
I replaced the whole inners and just paint before winter