9 replies to this topic

[n3hihz]

So this Mazda 3 totally reversed into me a few months back. After a huge insurance dispute (my registration was suspended, thanks to my dad) I lost and now I have to pay for repairs myself. I was wondering if I can do it myself, cause the body shop all want me to replace the whole outer door panel, side skirt, etc.

[Salsa Guy]

Replace it.

[sk8r78]

New door skins or new doors, but new doors as in hit up a local parts yard. You could find them in your color or have to get them repainted, You can get them naked, (with nothing on them, cheapest option) and trasfer everything from your doors on to them, or get them loaded and just have to unbolt the old and bolt up the new, depending on your mechanical skills

[CrailTrixXR]

To fix it you would have to spend days trying to pull out that dent and the creases in there are horrible. Plus then you have to bondo it or fiberglass and thats a b****. Replace the door. Check with www.rockauto.com for the door. They got low prices but shipping is high.

[kpace]

looking at 2-3 grand easy

had the same kind of damage but only to my door and not the parts around and cost me about 1900$

[CORZRYDE]

^ It's sad, but true. You won't be able to pull those dents properly, especially since that's where the door skin folds around the inner. Best case scenario, the body shop only has to replace the skins. Worst case, well.........1337trix said it best...


Oh, & that's another reason why I don't like Mazdas...

Edited by CORZRYDE, 14 May 2012 - 06:09 PM.

[n3hihz]

Sounds like I have nothing to lose to try to bang it out from the inside. The piece I'm more worried about is the tiny dent on the rear fender? Right by the rear tire, it doesn't seem like you can simply rip that piece off and replace it. I noticed a little rust began to form so I WD 40 the s*** out of it.

I'm in NYC and a bunch of guys been harassing while I'm out to fix it for me right there in the middle of the street, parking garages, one guy even came in the restaurant where I was eating. I might give them a swirl if it's cheap and see how that turns out.

But if all else fails I'll just buy a new door, just gotta save up. Not having much luck with the matrix the last few months. Battery cracked, wheel bearings went bad, changed belt, front brakes plus rotors need to be changed soon, front suspensions need to be change, etc list is just piling up
Thanks for advice

Edited by n3hihz, 15 May 2012 - 08:28 AM.

[dnm]

WD40 will achieve nothing. It's too runny and will fall away almost instantly.

Edited by dnm, 15 May 2012 - 08:55 AM.

[CORZRYDE]

n3hihz, on 15 May 2012 - 08:26 AM, said:

Sounds like I have nothing to lose to try to bang it out from the inside. The piece I'm more worried about is the tiny dent on the rear fender? Right by the rear tire, it doesn't seem like you can simply rip that piece off and replace it. I noticed a little rust began to form so I WD 40 the s*** out of it.

I'm in NYC and a bunch of guys been harassing while I'm out to fix it for me right there in the middle of the street, parking garages, one guy even came in the restaurant where I was eating. I might give them a swirl if it's cheap and see how that turns out.

But if all else fails I'll just buy a new door, just gotta save up. Not having much luck with the matrix the last few months. Battery cracked, wheel bearings went bad, changed belt, front brakes plus rotors need to be changed soon, front suspensions need to be change, etc list is just piling up
Thanks for advice

^ What have you been doing with your trix? It's an 09 & all that has happened/needs to happen? (bad luck indeed!)

The piece you speak of in the "rear fender" is known as the "dog leg". It's part of the C-pillar and will not come off in one small section, unless its cut off. It's part of your sidebody & is welded to your rockers, sorry

You can try to fix it if you want. Like you said, you've got nothing to lose at this point, (actually, it may be a learning experience), but in due time, you'll probably be taking it in to a body shop if the dent really bothers you. Personally, I'd just take it in. I've worked around weld bodies for years now & know how they're assembled & how they come apart & believe me, you won't have the proper tools at your disposal to do the job properly.

Goodluck with your journey & hopefully things work out for you

[n3hihz]

I tend to go on long road trips whenever i have time, but for the most part probably the millions of pot holes in NYC. Recently been letting my gf drive since she got her license.

Well, I guess I'll get a few more quotes on how much it will run me. If its as you guys said 1-2k to fix. I'll need time to come up with the $ so I'll prob do a temp patch (scrub the rust out and put some rustoleum) on the door leg so it'll stop rusting. Maybe try to tackle the door if they have to replace it anyways.