calvin280zxt Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 (edited) i need to straighten out the hatch latch tailight area, but i cant think how to pull or push on it to straighten it out ps, if you think thats rust you havent seen my parts car Edited October 16, 2010 by calvin280zxt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xShodaimex Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I'd use a hammer or a mallet! But thats just me, I dont know any other way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
75zcar Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 What you need here is a slide hammer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHO-Z Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Try 2 pieces of 2" or larger angle iron and 2 large C-clamps and pull it streight. By the hatch closer it looks like you might want to add a small piece of angle to re-inforce it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin280zxt Posted October 17, 2010 Author Share Posted October 17, 2010 oh dont worry, iv tried hammering. thats the idea iv been looking for! thank you. the P/O's E brake cable snapped.. after that its time to fix the rust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jas280z Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Second the slide hammer, or weld the thread end of a bolt to the metal, and then pull on the head with a pair of vise grips or something (this is what I would do, as I have a welder, but not a slide hammer). Either way it looks like that is something that is going to take some work to get perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin280zxt Posted October 17, 2010 Author Share Posted October 17, 2010 its not that easy though, the support where the hatch latch is is to stiff to do that, it would just bugger up the sheet metal, i need to bend the support and the rest wiil come with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin280zxt Posted October 18, 2010 Author Share Posted October 18, 2010 ended up drilling the spot welds for the support and straightening it by hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOTHALOSISM Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 To bad no one sells a replacement panel for that. I had cut mine all up for trans Am tails now I want to go back to stockers and its not easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palosfv3 Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Slide hammers , big hammers and angle iron are not the correct way to bring this panel back into alignment. Damage like this needs to be pushed or pulled out with finesse not beat out with brute force. Doing something like this in the garage can be slightly challenging depending on the tools and equipment available. At the shop we would just anchor the car into the frame rack and tack on a tab or two to pull the damage out with the machine. Since this may not be available find a 4x4 that will span the width of the rear strut towers so that the ends of the timber butt up squarely and securely against the towers. You may need two one for the upper edge and another for the lower edge. Cut two 6" 2x4s to place against the damaged area of the rear body panel. Place one at the upper edge of the damaged area the other at the lower. With a small hydraulic ram or screw jack jack the damaged area back to its original position. If done correctly you may have little metal repair to do after the pull/push. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin280zxt Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 I got it to the right place my way, i know its not perfect but its a hell of a lot better than it was. I have big plans for it any way. Now that the lights point the right direction im going to fix up the rust and put a flat panel there and shave all that uglyness. Ill post some picks tomoro of it fixed. I can cut bend weld bondo and paint but im no hammer And dolly body man so this is my way of Doing it haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin280zxt Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 straightened Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin280zxt Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 (edited) . Edited October 20, 2010 by calvin280zxt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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