So I was a little dumb over the summer and while parking, backed into a tree near the curb. I smashed the rear tail light and dented the rear near the D-Pillar.

I was wondering if I pull off the trim on top of the D- Pillar if there is anyway to do the body work myself and try to pull out the dent or tap out the dent from the inside. Is there anyway to pull the trim and access this area of the vehicle from the inside to tap it with a rubber mallet or something like that. I wanted to see before I take it into a body guy for the work.

Attached is a picture of the location of where the dent is located. Also, I have a dent on my passenger door. The body shop a while back said the only way to fix this would be to buy a new door. Is this correct that there is no way to access the middle of the passenger door bottom and I would need a new door?

 

...not sure where you live but I have had really good results with PDR (Paintless Dent Removal) in areas on the tailgate, door (rear passenger) and the area under the large window above the fuel fill area. That body shop probably just wanted to sell you a new door unless that ding is really high or really low....the PDR guy will go through the window track to get behind the deflection and push it out, then use a reflector board and another tool to create a matching paint texture.

The area you refer to....Hmmm....I'd attack that two ways: remove the tail light assembly and see if there is an access hole. There is a plastic vent-looking thing you may have to remove. Second way, remove the access panel inside the vehicle near the back hatch and see if you can reach back and get to it.

Main thing though is doing a google search on PDR in your area. If you are in the Seattle metro area I have a guy for ya. Otherwise it's google.

 

Thanks for the fast response. I tried to go through the tail light area, that little vent there, and the hole was not large enough to fit anything to get enough leverage. I will try that access hatch next.

I will try to find a Paintless Dent Removal place in my area. I am in NJ. I have a suspension light on now, so trying to figure that problem out is taking up my time and priority now. Once that is fixed, I will get the dents fixed.

 

Good luck. As far as getting something large enough up there...I'd let the PDR people worry about that. They have the tools. I don't know how large they are....