2G Interior Access to Rear Driver's Quarter Panel?

[MarkBeecroft]

Hey y'all, I got a dent in the rear driver-side quarter panel of my 1998 Eclipse. I wanted to pop it out by pushing from the inside, but there doesn't appear to be any way to gain access to the backside of the panel - it looks like it's welded all the way around. Anyone know a way?

 

[Pjj]

go to the last page of my build thread and youll see how the dent guys did it, the mitsubishi metal is very forgiving and flexible

 

[SixBolt_16G]

Hey y'all, I got a dent in the rear driver-side quarter panel of my 1998 Eclipse. I wanted to pop it out by pushing from the inside, but there doesn't appear to be any way to gain access to the backside of the panel - it looks like it's welded all the way around. Anyone know a way?

Leave it to a professional. It really depends on how deep the dents are and where they are at.

The 2g and 3g Eclipses (Not sure about 1g's cause Ive never done a hail job on one) has a very tight brace that runs along the top of the top portion of the entire quarter panel. So depending on where the dent is, it will be very difficult to gain access. From what I remember, you would have to drill a hole in the wheel well / door jamb / tail light area, heat up a very flat, very thin tool with a blow torch and attempt to cut through the glue holding the brace to get to the dent. An inexperienced guy would leave the metal railed trying to get to the dent, which is a very high probability since the metal on eclipses is on the thinner side, but not a pop can like WRX's

If they are very light dents, it might be possible to pull them from the outside with a glue pulller if the panel has not been resprayed. But you also run the risk of bringing up the dent but the surrounding metal becoming shallow from being pulled into a high spot.

Not going to claim to know everything because Ive been out of the business for 10 years now and there are some guys doing some amazing things with dent repair, but what I can tell you is take the time to find out who is the master in your area, because many will claim that they are having never worked on one of these cars before and in for a surprise when they actually get in there with a tool.