I have a Gen 7 Chevy Malibu and discovered the rear rockers are completely rusted out. I bought replacement rocker panels but I have a question regarding the jacking point at the pinch weld. The rocker panels are a thicker formed sheet metal shape. Is there any additional steel structure at the jacking points? I can't tell as everything in that area is rusted away.

Thank you for your help!

Can you post a picture(s) of the area(s) in question? I'm not a Chevy guy so not sure what you are asking about.

Suspension is a good place, BUT If you don't know how to jack up your car too support it for repairs you may wanna rethink trying too fix it your self?
Rust repair is not for the faint of heart or the inexperienced shade tree hobby guy.
Rust ALWAYS goes further than you can see outside, Cars rust from the inside out.

Doright wrote:Suspension is a good place, BUT If you don't know how to jack up your car too support it for repairs you may wanna rethink trying too fix it your self?
Rust repair is not for the faint of heart or the inexperienced shade tree hobby guy.
Rust ALWAYS goes further than you can see outside, Cars rust from the inside out.

Hi Doright,

Thank you for your response. My question was if there is any additional structure within the rocker area at the lift points. Is it just the rocker welded to the unibody that handles all the vertical support?

I've welded support structures, weld repaired catalytic converters etc. I've replaced axles, timing chains, exhaust systems etc.

The problem is diagrams on parts lists are crude/not detailed. I don't want the new pinch weld to fold over if an additional piece of metal should be there. I may just add a 5 inch long 1/8" piece of bar stock at the lift point to distribute the load over a wider area.

As I said the suspension is a good place, Do the same point on each side get it level side to side and front to rear use a Protractor off of a flat piece on the Rocker panel for front to back, side to side can be a little trickier with the protractor I have used the front Sub frame and or transmission cross member, Just get it as close as you can but but no need to go way overboard to get it perfect using lasers or anything like that. You can get a cheap one online or at Home depot one with a needle no need for an electronic one I have both be leave it or not I prefer the needle type.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Empire-Poly ... /100165800

Your removing a rocker panel or a portion of it so you don't want to support it from their. (On Uni-bodied cars the rocker panel ASSEMBLY is a major part of the structure.
Also keep in mind their are generally inner and outer rocker panels pieces as well if you have rust in the outer your likely to have rust on the inner)

Welding Body parts is not like welding other parts on the car make sure you do some serious practicing first before committing to the project at hand.