In the painfully slow process of building my snow-wheeling disco, I was finally at a point yesterday to test the ABS. Nice snowing day, slick roads, easy to head over to a nearby church parking lot and safely ensure everything is working.

Tests when fine. ABS worked great.

Backing back down our side drive things when sideways, literally. There is a section that has a very steep grade, and on that section the front when south, the back got aimed north and the back drivers side kissed the deck. Tail light is wrecked, not worried as there is an '03 in the local junkyard. But it also bent the sheet metal there.

So, any special considerations in getting that back to the correct shape since this is aluminum. Any tips or tricks anyone care to share. Search was not as helpful as I had hoped.

My plan is to remove enough interior trim to gain access, make a special "tool" that can reach back there and tap-tap-tap it back out.

Thanks in advance.

 

Another option would be to find a quarter panel of the same in a wrecking yard and swap them out. They are entirely glued and bolted on.

 

I paid $100 per dent to a paintless dent repair craftsman. He had dozens of different shapes of tools. I think it is less of tapping and more of pressing, especially since aluminum is softer than steel.

 

Damage is too much of for one of those paintless guys:




I hit it with some heat yesterday and some gentle persuasion to see if it wanted move back at all. No luck. Today I think I will get a bit more aggressive to try to get it back at least in shape to install the replacement assembly.

I assume a quarter from an '03 would fit? I know there were some cosmetic changes starting in '02 or '03 with the lights, but I think the body panels stayed the same. Local yard has an '03 and I can get the panel for <$100.

 

If I remember correctly, you’ll need a 10mm, #2 Phillips, and a razor knife. The ‘03 will fit.

 

I bought a hammer and dolly kit for funsies

i used it to fix dents around the alpine glass and it worked really well.

I’ve got that same damage that you do and I’m going to take it off and attempt to work the damage out a bit. If I’m not satisfied I’ll get another rear “wing” from salvage but I’ve always wanted to learn this metal work anyway. Great videos on you tube

 

I started working it yesterday without the right tools. I have it much closer to the right shape.

Last night I started shopping online for some proper hammers and dollies, with my thoughts along the same line as yours; Not a skill I have but a skill I want.

If I ruin it, I know how to replace it.

 

this guys channel is good. You should watch the one where he fixes an old jeep hood https://youtube.com/@MakeItKustom?si=n5_yj_VnoFAXG3jL

 

Thanks for the link. I just watched his video where we worked on a front quarter from a van with just hammers and dollies. Great info!

Also confirmed I am on the right track since I started just like him with locking pliers and flat bar to pull an edge. I think I can work the rest out with some dollies and hammers. I will post some pics as I go along.