So I was attempting to tow my 08' Prius out of my downhill driveway with a chain and it got loose. Ran down the hill into my garage and crunched the bumper and pushed the left fender into the door. It won't open now. Has anyone pulled the side panel or frame away from the door? It is bent so I know something has been pushed toward the rear? Maybe hook a chain to a tree and back up real fast? Where would I hook it up? don
Welcome to PriusChat!! Any pictures worth posting? FYI : you're moderated until you've posted 5 times.
In what way does it "not open"? Will it lock/unlock? Does the latch disengage? Does the door move at all? If it moves, what stops it from moving? You seem to imply that the fender is wedged up against the front of the door immobilizing it, but it could be that the door has been shoved back into the pillar, or the roof buckled down onto it, or a wire broke disabling the lock, or any of several other scenarios. Assuming it is just the fender, and the Prius is like most other cars, you can probably remove the fender with common tools and a socket set, assuming the hood will still open. You can probably find a replacement fender and bumper cover at a local junkyard. If not, rockauto usually has those items for not too much (unpainted).
Yes. The actual door seems fine. When I attempt to open it, the fender binds against the door and it will only open a few inches. The suggestion to replace the fender and bumper seems like the only solution. I was just wondering if there might be a temporary fix so a rider could open the door. Thanks
Can't see the top of the door/fender in pic. Wedge the fender edge by the door outwards and try open door. Could use a thin piece of plywood and wedge it in the gap and then try open door, you're trying to get the edge of the door to slid beneath the fender edge.
I think you have the solution. It came to me that since I will have to replace the fender; I will insert something into that slit between the door and the fender and beat the fender with a sledgehammer until it creates a wide enough slit to open the door . . .
Swing by a auto body shop if you have a local one and have them take a look. Might be able to loosen up the fender enough to get some adjustment out of it for the door to open. Or try it youself. Worth a look.
Geez, no need for a sledge hammer. Can't tell if its green or beige. Beige or tan fender 6 miles from you for $50. D & W Used Cars and Salvage USA-OK(Ada) 580-759-2306 / 800-776-2306 Couple of green salvage fenders near you in TX, saves having to pay additional $200 or so for painting. 6 gallons of gas to pick either up. Or just massage fender so door opens properly and drive it the way it is. Hardly any damage. Also just use a hair dryer or heat gun to soften bumper and pop it back out, push out from back of bumper.
Keep in mind that if you manage to get the door open, you might not be able to close it, or at least not easily.
