robertdot

The problem: I leaned on my driver's side 1/4 panel. Apparently it is pretty damn soft, because it left a dent. There is no creasing. No damage to paint. It's just bent in gently, and looks like it could be bent out gently.

Attempted solution: Use something soft and firm to push the dent back out.

Reasons for failure: There doesn't seem to be any way to get to the 1/4 panel from the inside. I've pulled the seats out to get to the wall panels to pull those out, and there is no access. I've pulled the trunk liner out, and there is no opening. I've tried pulling the cover off the fender wells to see if there is a passage, and there is not.

The question (2): Is there any way to get to it from behind? I'd rather not buy extra tools, but I will if I have to. If there is no other way to get behind it, does anyone have any suggestions for popping it out?

I'll try to get a real picture. Until then... The diagram on a generic RX-8 image from Google (the dent is a little bit higher up, I think, but not much):

MTLbroker

If that doesn't work, try a dent puller (as seen on TV). I don't know if it'll work on that quarter panel, but I did pull out a dent from the door of my Maxima (a relatively flat surface). Hardly left a mark.

Pavehawk

That's the exact same spot that I got my first ding. Mine's on the passenger side and is visible from a LONG way away. I'd owned the car for a total of two hours when it happened.

I've had two people look at it. One was afraid to push it out because of the depth of the dent. He was afraid the paint might crack. The other wants to approach it from the wheel well and indicated that he'd have to drill a slight hole in the interior of the wheel well to get his tools to the dent. The hole would be filled in with a rubber grommet and sealant after the repair was completed. The estimate was $100 bucks and about 2.5 hours of time.

MTLbroker

Actually I bought the dent puller after the Nissan dealer offerred to pull the dent out for me for $75. I figured it couldn't be that hard to do. Paid $30 for the kit and hey, it works.

robertdot

Does it have a brand name? Where did you get it?