Autobody repair, need advice
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 37
From: Avon, CO---Boca Raton, FL
Autobody repair, need advice
Hey all,
I bought two new doors and wanted to install them. This bottom hinge is good but what its sitting on, middle pillar, is bent a little. This doesn't allow the door to close properly. How expensive do you think it would be for a body shop to straighten this out for me? Is there a way I can do it myself? Such as make new holes for hinges or hammer the middle part straight myself. What do you guys think? I don't have too much experience on this and needed a little advice. Thanks in advanced.
Last edited by hez8813; Apr 24, 2017 at 11:50 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,177
From: NM
You definitely will need a body shop to do that specialize in frame straightening not something you can do at home. I would call around get an estimate because that is a frame of the door. Not something you want to just drill new holes and relocate your hinge for the door if you were to get hit again with that twisted frame you will be compromise and killed. I have seen that happened with an insurance claim on a life. Not something you want to happen
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 37
From: Avon, CO---Boca Raton, FL
were back in business boys, I thought it was a lost cost. I put so much money in this Maxima. I didn't want to say farewell just yet. Driven this thing cross country and no issues. I went to 4 different body shops.
First guy was rude and said I will need alot more then just frame pulling. I had a feeling that shop wasn't good but just wanted an estimate which he was not willing to give.
Second guy said $600
Third guy said $590
I went to Macco and they said $300! This is the price that I was looking for. I got 2 silver doors so at some point I was going to paint the whole car.
Anyone have any suggestions on DIY car paint? This car is gonna be restored to perfection. The leather interior is still pristine and is fully functioning. This maxima is bullet proof.
First guy was rude and said I will need alot more then just frame pulling. I had a feeling that shop wasn't good but just wanted an estimate which he was not willing to give.
Second guy said $600
Third guy said $590
I went to Macco and they said $300! This is the price that I was looking for. I got 2 silver doors so at some point I was going to paint the whole car.
Anyone have any suggestions on DIY car paint? This car is gonna be restored to perfection. The leather interior is still pristine and is fully functioning. This maxima is bullet proof.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 27
were back in business boys, I thought it was a lost cost. I put so much money in this Maxima. I didn't want to say farewell just yet. Driven this thing cross country and no issues. I went to 4 different body shops.
First guy was rude and said I will need alot more then just frame pulling. I had a feeling that shop wasn't good but just wanted an estimate which he was not willing to give.
Second guy said $600
Third guy said $590
I went to Macco and they said $300! This is the price that I was looking for. I got 2 silver doors so at some point I was going to paint the whole car.
Anyone have any suggestions on DIY car paint? This car is gonna be restored to perfection. The leather interior is still pristine and is fully functioning. This maxima is bullet proof.
First guy was rude and said I will need alot more then just frame pulling. I had a feeling that shop wasn't good but just wanted an estimate which he was not willing to give.
Second guy said $600
Third guy said $590
I went to Macco and they said $300! This is the price that I was looking for. I got 2 silver doors so at some point I was going to paint the whole car.
Anyone have any suggestions on DIY car paint? This car is gonna be restored to perfection. The leather interior is still pristine and is fully functioning. This maxima is bullet proof.
I wouldnt trust anyone that would paint just a door for $300, let alone the structural pulling, as well as 2 doors. This will turn out like crap, you'll waste your money, and you'll still have a screwed up car.
Seriously people.....
The first guy is probably the only one I'd actually trust. You need the door jam pulled, metal replaced, lots of welding, body work and paint. The fact that he wouldnt do it, tells me he's the only one that knows whats going.
Last edited by VR6JH; Apr 25, 2017 at 12:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 37
From: Avon, CO---Boca Raton, FL
This is a joke.........right? You're going to the cheapest shop you can find, and say "this car is gonna be restored to perfection", and "DIY paint". Jesus
I wouldnt trust anyone that would paint just a door for $300, let alone the structural pulling, as well as 2 doors. This will turn out like crap, you'll waste your money, and you'll still have a screwed up car.
Seriously people.....
The first guy is probably the only one I'd actually trust. You need the door jam pulled, metal replaced, lots of welding, body work and paint. The fact that he wouldnt do it, tells me he's the only one that knows whats going.
I wouldnt trust anyone that would paint just a door for $300, let alone the structural pulling, as well as 2 doors. This will turn out like crap, you'll waste your money, and you'll still have a screwed up car.
Seriously people.....
The first guy is probably the only one I'd actually trust. You need the door jam pulled, metal replaced, lots of welding, body work and paint. The fact that he wouldnt do it, tells me he's the only one that knows whats going.
Second of all, I am not asking them to paint anything. I am not even asking the guy to put my doors on as I know how to put them on. I told the guy all I need is someone to fix the bottom hinge as that bottom part of it needs to be straighten out. I will bring a door just so he can see if it fits but I am going to bring it to the guy doorless. It really isn't that much labor. Just straighten it out and test the door on, think about it. I am changing panels and interior myself.
Finally, Jesus man, calm down. It is gonna be ok, just breathe a little bit. I just need to fit the doors flush and I will be happy. I am not trying to enter a car show.
P.S. I fixed my Bose subwoofer today by passing the chip in the middle. (I know they say solder the relays but I don't have a solder right now and to be honest I haven't noticed a difference yet.
Last edited by hez8813; Apr 25, 2017 at 12:32 PM.
Changing door glass is fairly simple. There are only 2 bolts that hold the glass to the regulator. You have to have the window rolled down about half way so that you can get to the bolts through the access openings in the door.
When you take the second bolt off, be holding onto the glass because it will fall down into the door, possibly breaking. Then you just have to find the right tilt to get the glass out of the door.
When you take the second bolt off, be holding onto the glass because it will fall down into the door, possibly breaking. Then you just have to find the right tilt to get the glass out of the door.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 37
From: Avon, CO---Boca Raton, FL
Changing door glass is fairly simple. There are only 2 bolts that hold the glass to the regulator. You have to have the window rolled down about half way so that you can get to the bolts through the access openings in the door.
When you take the second bolt off, be holding onto the glass because it will fall down into the door, possibly breaking. Then you just have to find the right tilt to get the glass out of the door.
When you take the second bolt off, be holding onto the glass because it will fall down into the door, possibly breaking. Then you just have to find the right tilt to get the glass out of the door.