My S13 had a blowout on the left rear and dented my quarter panel quite nicely. Luckily, the bigger portion happened below the body line and the smaller, less worrisome dents are centered below the quarter glass and about 4" down. Then, before I bought the car, some very inexperienced thieves tried breaking into the car through the drivers door jam with a crowbar or similar utinsile. Not sure if they were successful in thievery, but they caused damage. I bought a stud welder and was going to attempt to pull the big dent, but I have both doubts that I can accomplish the task, and certainties that I'll cause further damage.

The big dent in the quarter panel below the body line




The dents below the quarter glass


The dents at the drivers door jam. The door is all the way closed in the picture.

That's beyond just stud welding and pulling. Multiple creases. Unless you want massive amounts of bondo, you'er looking at cutting the damage out and welding in a new section.

Dang. Sorry to hear about this.

That's what I was afraid of. I know the dents below the quarter glass would be ok to pull as there's no creases, but my main concern was with the lower quarter panel dent. The one by the door isn't a huge issue as a patch panel is easier to make right there and I can source another door if I can't get it pulled out to my liking.

I know I have options to "hide" these dents with over fenders and a "body kit" which I have almost gone that route. I want to try at least to get it repaired first. Even if the cost is high and it might still end up covered with a kit. I think I might see what a PDR guy would say about the small dents under the glass.

Anyone know someone or have an S13 hatch they could part with the lower corner of the driver's quarter panel?

Dang... that's some nasty stuff... +1 for welding in new sheet metal.

Honestly that is fixable with a stud welder, but the amount of time and effort is likely not worth it compared to just welding in new sheet metal. Find a new section that is straight, cut out the old one and flange the new and remaining old metal. Then panel bond or weld it in and you're done.

Just gotta find a quarter panel now.

What kind of metal should I use for a patch panel by the door? Never done real body work like this. I've used bondo, sanded and painted, but never cut/weld.

I think those dent below the quarter glass and your door could be repaired. The lower quarter panel dent is the main one that looks like it won't be able to be repaired.

I have used scrap metal myself before that was a similar gauge and just shaped it to be what I needed it to. It's one of those trial and error kind of things, but it's fun to learn.

If you're really adventurous and patient, you could try talking a hammer and dolly to that quarter panel. It's easy enough to access; the big question is how much can you pull back out of it without cracking or pulling in the bottom line too much.

I tried to do the hammer and dolly on the lower section of the quarter panel. My arms are't quite long enough to reach both inside and outside simultaneously to be effective. Then, speaking about being adventurous, I tried to use an "inflation" method to pop it back out. Keep in mind this was 10 years ago when this happened and I attempted to repair it. I used a basketball! lol. I deflated the ball, shoved it down into the corner as best I could, and tried to inflate it. Some of the dent came out, but I'm afraid it made things worse. I ended up selling the car to a buddy in 2013 and he ultimately sold it back to me for $1000 about a year ago.

I already have a welder and a stud welder that came with a slide hammer. I don't see why I can't try to pull it out. I can't seem to find anyone willing to cut a corner of their shell off for me. I can't blame them. If the metal tears or cracks, I'll figure out how to fix it.