spare wheel well hatch cover

[multicam]

I am in awe of the little things I find on my car ['94 LS].
I recharged the battery and checked out by a reputable battery buisness and was pronounded OK for another yr or two. Specific gravity is GOOD and the meter they used for diagnosis registered at 860??

WHile re- installing the "tractor" battery I cleaning out the wheel well and low and behold I find this 12" circular hatch, that opens to the ground.

I'ts batten down with white latex cauking, no screws or bolts!

Why was the car designed with the hatch and
what keeps ground water out of the car, since it is not fastened to the car?
I am just putting some body putty strips three deep on the rim and putting it back in.
Is this all that is needed?

Bye the way, thanks for all the thread on the battery.

[ChazzyD]

Mine popped out as well. I glued it back in with 3M Seam Sealer which seems to be what the factory used to glue it in with as well. It has been fine since, I used more than they did, though.
Charles

[multicam]

CazzyD

That sounds like a good product to use> More of a glue than a caulk.
Thanks. I'll use the 3M product on mine.

But why is it there?
Is it a reference for the robotic machines in centering the car chassis? Organized crime escape hatch? Vestigial access port for a 101 and 105 series gas tank fuel sender?
Who knows?

[LS jr.]

worm hole portal. Other end is Piazza del Duomo, Milano.

[Michael Smith]

I dunno but on mine the piece was loose and my tool kit was missing, presumably the dockworkers know how to access the tool kit by punching out this cover and reaching up inside the spare wheel. The replacement toolkit was sufficiently cheapo to make me wonder why anyone would do this.

[multicam]

I like the worm hole idea , but missing tools is just as intriguing.
Who knows?