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Pic of '99 with rear seat removed?
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:04 am
by Bob Dillon
As you can see from the pic below, some sweet person backed into my car in a Safeway parking lot and left a nice crease at the very front of the left quarter panel.
I have decent body repair skills,
but... I can't figure out how to get behind this crease to hammer and dolly it out before I lead it up. It's not accessible from the trunk, and I don't want to drill the metal to pull it out with a slide hammer.
I'm wondering if anyone has a pic of a '99 with the rear seat out. I can pull the seat, obviously, but Bill Wren said it's no fun. I'm especially interested to know if the outside quarter panel is accessible with the seat out.
Suggestions are also solicited.

Re: Pic of '99 with rear seat removed?
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:11 am
by olblueeyesbonne
I believe that area is sealed off. You'll get closest by removed the left side carpet from the trunk and going in there, but I don't believe you'll get within 6" of the damage.
Almost have to cut out the inner fender and reweld it back in.
Re: Pic of '99 with rear seat removed?
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:38 am
by harofreak00
I agree. That area is just not accessible.
Re: Pic of '99 with rear seat removed?
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 7:52 pm
by Bob Dillon
Isn't that special? :sad5:
I think I'll use a 1" hole saw through the wheel well and just MIG it back up when I'm done.
Thanks, guys.
Re: Pic of '99 with rear seat removed?
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:38 pm
by harofreak00
Re: Pic of '99 with rear seat removed?
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:44 pm
by tan96ssei
according to andrews pics looks to me the best way to tackle this is cutting through the panel lit up by his flashlight in the last pic and crossing this with my car i came with the same conclusion
Re: Pic of '99 with rear seat removed?
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 12:25 am
by Bob Dillon
tan96ssei wrote:according to andrews pics looks to me the best way to tackle this is cutting through the panel lit up by his flashlight in the last pic and crossing this with my car i came with the same conclusion
Yeah, I agree, but that's way too much trouble. I'll cut the wheelwell, MIG it up, and fiberglass over it after I bump it out.
Dammit, I hate people who bump and run.

Re: Pic of '99 with rear seat removed?
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 12:14 am
by Guest
I would use a Stud Welder
This tool can make short work of pulling a dent out of your steel body panels (not aluminum). Sand the paint off down to bare metal. Put a copper plated nail (the stud) into the collet, place firmly against the panel for good electrical contact, pull the trigger for half a second, and it spot welds the stud to the sheet metal. Attach multiple studs as required. The small slide hammer has a collet to grip the studs so you can pull the metal up to the desired lever. Then use an angle grinder to grind off the studs flush with the surface, just a few seconds per stud. This leaves the panel clean and smooth with no trace of the weld zone, ready for prep and finishing.
Stud Welder would work great for what your wanting to do.
for more information:
www.chicagolandmgclub.com/photos/door04
Re: Pic of '99 with rear seat removed?
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 12:29 am
by Bob Dillon
Thanks, Todd. Wish I had one. I used the slide hammer and MIGed up the holes this morning. Then I Bondo'ed her up, ground it down, primed, and it's ready for wet sanding and topcoat tomorrow (if it doesn't rain).
I hate people who ding your car and take off.
I'll check out your link. Thanks again.
Re: Pic of '99 with rear seat removed?
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 12:30 am
by Guest
no problem;)