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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5877

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
Rear 3/4 dent - how to repair?
Morning all. Been off comms for a while.

I have recently modified my DC with that ever popular upgrade, a dent in the rear 3/4 panel (who would have thought a plank of wood would be so robust), however, I’m not sure I like the new look and would prefer to return it to the original style. I am wondering about the best way to do this?

Obviously I have a DC which I think might offer me greater access, but I’d be grateful for any ideas on how best to tap the panel out. I’d also be keen to know if it is better for me to try and reshape the corner piece or buy and refit a new one?

Apologies for the condition as evidenced by the photos, I committed to the upgrade just before double foot surgery so have been off my feet (and away from the Def) for 6 weeks. As such with loads of rain this summer and no cover, the paint has flaked and the rust has taken hold. Whistle



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 Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #918474 24th Aug 2021 8:03am
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X4SKP



Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2295

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey
Hello Grenadier

I'd be tempted to have a go.

When you say 'recently'.... as the rust was taking hold... maybe now's the time to get things straight.

The Back Panel and Capping look to be good for reshaping (The 'Spine' of the Capping looks OK)
Drill the Capping Rivets out, remove and straighten, using nothing hard, slow forming and soft
compression / forces applied (use a soft mallet if you must). The Side Panel is the issue I would guess,
again slow assessment and encouragement back to an acceptable state. Then there's repainting
this all depends on what your happy to take on... even at this stage having progressed straightened
potentially buying a new Capping detail you can get it in a shop to take over.

Good Luck...

When I bought my first Defender, I had been told these vehicles can always be put back on the road
with a series of well placed hammer blows... not quite true but I got the idea... Thumbs Up SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html
Post #918476 24th Aug 2021 8:18am
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geobloke



Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4410

United Kingdom 
Funnilly enough our man at Britannica has just repaired a 110 with a similar crush...


https://youtu.be/-D0IxuzpLMY

Search for Spanish rear wing for the rest of the videos. He does a great job Thumbs Up
Post #918487 24th Aug 2021 8:56am
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Huttopia



Member Since: 23 Feb 2016
Location: West Midlands
Posts: 1978

United Kingdom 
I did a similar thing in my 110, reversing into an invisible car in Germany. The body shop replaced the capping and straightened out the panel.

Good luck!
Post #918490 24th Aug 2021 9:09am
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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5877

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
Thank you all. Good info Skip. Happy to rub back and respray myself, as with the other jobs as well. I’ll give it a go when I have a free weekend. And I’ll take a look at the video for a little more meat on the bones. Thumbs Up Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #918496 24th Aug 2021 9:25am
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3461

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
For the capping..
I purchased galvanized aftermarket cappings, but re sold them as the holes did not align well enough, and I did not want to drill new holes (some were actually not drilling but elongating the the holes in the tub). Was a no no for me.

You can try to clamp the cappiing between two steel sections (example angle iron) in a vice. That will bring the shape to almost perfect already, and you can use the angle iron to check that the capping edges are still perpendicular to each other.

As to the alloy panel beating... it is almost an art. Aluminium is very easy to stretch and the result is a bow. Aluminium work hardens very fast and becomes brittle as well. Gentle and no rush is key. You may need to anneal in the process. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #918506 24th Aug 2021 10:35am
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Oldowner



Member Since: 26 Dec 2018
Location: South west
Posts: 632

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Aintree Green
Beware the cappings we’re redesigned slightly circa 2014 so if you replace one then the other will not match exactly. They used more rivets to surround the two lights to hold the capping to the panel better.

Hard to tell from the photo but looks like it has already had filler on the side panel as the paint looks too thick on the crack.

I have done lots of these dents and usually replace the rear panel then the side panel can be pulled straight and countersunk riveted, before fitting a new vertical capping. If it hadn’t had filler that could be pulled back almost invisibly.

I haven’t got a before photos, but this was worse than yoursx first shows panel removal, then finished job. The new rear panel and capping (earlier tdci type) I resprayed, but the side panel is original paint



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Post #918529 24th Aug 2021 12:11pm
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3461

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
There are actually 3 designs of corner vertical cappings/posts.
The earlier ones, where there was more metal in the tub curvature area. This was till LA939975
The more common ones, less metal around the curvature, from MA939976.
Then the change that Oldowner mentions, that to my knowledge came with the 2.2 engine change. These have 4 rivets between the brake light and the indicator lamp, versus 3 rivets till circa end 2011.

This damage was a lot worse... there was about 3/8" thickness of filler in the rear corner panel, and a good 1/4" thickness on the side. The rear crossmember outrigger was also bent in 'Puma' style Big Cry

After removing the body filler:


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After panel beating: (which I do not take credit of.. but I fine tuned it Whistle )


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After painting:


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 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #918533 24th Aug 2021 12:44pm
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