How to remove Rear Quarters

[mouse]

I Just recently purchased a 1990 SX for a project car. BOUGHT FOR 450$!. But anywho It needs a lot of work and I'm starting witht the body. How do i remove the rear quarter panels and when i get new ones how do i get them in? Thanks

[mandoz85]

You cant remove them. The only way to get them out is to cut them out and then weld in the new ones.

[mouse]

is this difficult? What is tehre to welding and at what location do you cut them out.

[C-Kwik]

Unless the 1/4 panels are severely damaged, it's better to have them repaired. And if you are not a body repair person, I wouldn't recommend this as a do it yourself job. According to my Mitchell Collision Estimating guide, ro cut out the panel and weld a new one in is about 16 hours. And consider this is the expectation for a competent bodyman. Keep in mind this does not include other remove and install procedures to even access the 1/4 panel, nor does it include any of the prep work for the refinish. The refinish is rather extensive on something like this as well, as the 1/4 panel extends to the front door jambs, the trunk, and the roof.

What kind of damage is there? Where was the car hit? If the 1/4 panels were damages as a result of a rear end impact and the 1/4 panels buckled as a result, you are probably looking at frame damage and perhaps even rear floor damage. And this is also welded in. If it's justy dents on either side, then it wil be much more cost effective and easier to repair the panels.

[mouse]

its just surface rust and dents here and there. I will repair them along with the other parts im not replacing. Is bond-o the best approach to clearing up stuff? If not lemme know.

[BaliLover]

Bondo should not be used to fill anything deeper than 1/4". If its deeper, you'll need to find a way to get the dent pushed out more. Replacing 1/4 panels is a PITA, and so is body work if you've never done it. You may do all the work to get all the dents fixed, and think it looks great, then when it gets painted there are so many ripples it looks like the ocean. Thats why body repair is not cheap, its a very time consuming and skill based job.

[C-Kwik]

With patience, even body work is not terribly hard. Though, it's more like art than mechanical work, a little bit of time will make it easy. For the dents, you will need to use a dent puller or if small enough, and you can access the back of the dents, then you might be able to use a body hammer and some dollies to raise the dent up to an acceptable level before applying plastic filler. For the rust, you can probably just sand it if it is only surface rust. Then use some plastic filler to smooth it out. Perhaps pick up a good body repair book to get some more specific tips.

[240 Trainee]

Ok, anyone know where a dent puller can be rented or soemthing? Or how much they are? I have the same problem.