Author Topic: How can I fix this Tail Panel?  (Read 822 times)

Offline 70 MT Chally

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How can I fix this Tail Panel?
« on: January 11, 2014 - 10:37:38 PM »
I think my car was either rear ended or previous owner backed into something.  The portion by the center light was pushed up. The red circle indicates the part that was pushed up.

I've heated and hammered and pulled.

I think I am gonna have to get creative with cutter and welder.

Any suggestions?




Offline Topcat

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Re: How can I fix this Tail Panel?
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2014 - 01:32:24 AM »
Make small slits, then with a studgun, pull down. Then weld up cuts made after corrections.

Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline torredcuda

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Re: How can I fix this Tail Panel?
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2014 - 07:07:09 AM »
epending on where the damage is you may need something more than just a BFH and it may need to be pulled. A body shop can do it or maybe do it the backyard way with a tree/comelaong/chain. Get a couple pics of the inside trunk area/seam so I can tell more.
Jeff
72 Barracuda 340/4spd  Torred
70 roadrunner 383/auto  In-Violet
70 Duster 360/auto drag car  (Petty Blue soon)
04 Ram 2500 5.7 Hemi

Offline Topcat

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Re: How can I fix this Tail Panel?
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2014 - 11:18:15 AM »
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline farmboy70

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Re: How can I fix this Tail Panel?
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2014 - 11:30:47 AM »
Here's how I would do it.
Remove the latch panel and heat the damaged area. Using a large flat chisel or flat piece of heavy metal(as big as the damage) heat and bend the lower creased area back to original shape, that should pull the top down.
Or if that didn't work remove the area straighten and reweld in place.
I will check the parts car for that area anyway.
Dave

Offline 70 MT Chally

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Re: How can I fix this Tail Panel?
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2014 - 05:31:10 PM »
Like you said Farmboy70, I'm probably gonna have to cut, bend and weld.

Thanks everybody for your advice.

Offline jimynick

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Re: How can I fix this Tail Panel?
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2014 - 09:19:11 PM »
The basic idea is to get the body lines back to their original position. The sheet metal will follow and you may need to do some shrinking/heating to achieve this. It really depends upon access. If you can get at the damaged area, then as mentioned, use a bar or wider metal to drive the lower line back into alignment and it will pull the upper. You may not get all the upper that way and need to work it also. If you have no access, then things get a wee bit more interesting and cutting it out, straightening it and re-welding it back in may be an option. Take it by a reputable shop and give them a look at it and see what they say. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Good luck.  :thumbsup:

Offline torredcuda

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Re: How can I fix this Tail Panel?
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2014 - 09:09:32 AM »
The lower body line should be fairly easy to straighten but I worry about the spotwelded seam area being pushed in?
Jeff
72 Barracuda 340/4spd  Torred
70 roadrunner 383/auto  In-Violet
70 Duster 360/auto drag car  (Petty Blue soon)
04 Ram 2500 5.7 Hemi