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vlaming · 07-17-2018, 04:25 PM

Went out to wash the AS after a couple trips and found a dent above/behind the driver's side front upper running light. Only explanation we could come up with was a rock that hit the windshield and went up and left after impact, catching the roof on it's way down at freeway speed. Anyone have experience popping out this kind of damage, or just consider it a battle scar for now? Thanks, all.

TG Twinkie · 07-17-2018, 04:43 PM

Look for my thread using an inner tube, a piece of plywood and a shop vac.
Since there are no obvious crease it may just pop out.

DrJimmy · 07-23-2018, 08:06 PM

It looks like the light got pushed in a bit. If you can take the amber cover off of the light, and get down to the aluminium housing for the light, you might be able to put in a long screw and pull. If it is just a pop in, it should just pop out.

I would try to put a screw in the back end of the clearance light mount. That seems to be where the dent is. Then just pull out and slightly forward. You don't want to pull so hard that you strip the screw or the hole, but you want to put enough pressure on it to pull it outward. You might let it sit in the sun and warm up a bit before you try it too. The heat will help.

Not that I am an expert at this by any stretch, but I've pulled a number of dents out of our 78. If you can't get behind it, try to attach to it and pull out.

Good luck.

vlaming · 07-31-2018, 05:57 PM

Thanks for the responses. I picked up a pair of 2" "Paintless Dent Removal" pullers. Applied rocking motion with one above light on the dent, one below. Popped back to about 80% normal. Call it good for now.

AtomicNo13 · 07-31-2018, 07:13 PM

Google hot glue dent removal method video.

pcskier · 08-01-2018, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vlaming

Thanks for the responses. I picked up a pair of 2" "Paintless Dent Removal" pullers. Applied rocking motion with one above light on the dent, one below. Popped back to about 80% normal. Call it good for now.

Wow, great improvement. Can't even tell in the 'after' pic. Can you provide what specific type of dent pullers you used?

thewarden · 08-02-2018, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vlaming

Thanks for the responses. I picked up a pair of 2" "Paintless Dent Removal" pullers. Applied rocking motion with one above light on the dent, one below. Popped back to about 80% normal. Call it good for now.

I had a very similar dent only on one of the rear clearance lights when I backed up too far and nudged the house eaves. I removed the light and, as previously suggested, used the screws to gently lift up, which removed most of the dent. The rest I managed with a dent removal suction cup, gently rocking it back and forth until it was all but smooth. I was sick about the damage for a couple of days until I tried this method and was surprized at how well it worked and how little time was needed.

vlaming · 08-04-2018, 06:35 AM

pcskier-apologies for late reply, was on the road. You can still see damage depending on light quality, but better. I'll attempt a little more massage.

A number of Amazon options. I used these.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

RichHog · 08-04-2018, 09:46 AM

Local dent puller repair wouldn’t fix. Any ideas before I have to pay $2200 for a replacement panel?

thewarden · 08-04-2018, 03:36 PM

You are right, no dent puller is going to help here and panel replacement looks like the only fix. Based on the cost, I would be inclined to make an insurance claim. I would also be surprized if this comes in at 2k. Looks like 2 panels are damaged and in need of replacement. I can only imagine this feels like a kick in the stomach when it happened. I am seriously considering installing a rear camera on my TT to help avoid this type of thing.

RichHog · 08-05-2018, 08:53 AM

Yes the tree came out of nowhere as I was trying to line up to the dump station.
Wife yelling “stop, STOP.” This shows what happens when you get in a hurry.