1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

thoughts on how get passenger door open after a crash . . .

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by donald ray, Dec 21, 2021.

  1. donald ray

    donald ray New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2021
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    Ada, OK, USA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    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
     
    #1 donald ray, Dec 21, 2021
  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2017
    5,302
    4,241
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Welcome to PriusChat!!

    Any pictures worth posting?

    FYI : you're moderated until you've posted 5 times.
     
    #2 SFO, Dec 21, 2021
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,525
    8,428
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    if the fender is damaged, just cut it
     
    #3 JC91006, Dec 21, 2021
    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller likes this.
  4. donald ray

    donald ray New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2021
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    Ada, OK, USA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
     

    Attached Files:

    #4 donald ray, Dec 22, 2021
  5. Another

    Another Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2021
    1,802
    512
    0
    Location:
    Naples, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Doesn’t look too bad
     
    #5 Another, Dec 22, 2021
  6. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2019
    1,713
    516
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    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).
     
    #6 pasadena_commut, Dec 22, 2021
  7. donald ray

    donald ray New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2021
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    Ada, OK, USA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    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
     
    #7 donald ray, Dec 22, 2021
  8. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2009
    1,132
    513
    0
    Location:
    Saskatchewan, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    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.
     
    #8 alftoy, Dec 22, 2021
  9. donald ray

    donald ray New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2021
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    Ada, OK, USA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    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 . . .
     
    #9 donald ray, Dec 22, 2021
  10. Moresnow

    Moresnow Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2021
    31
    12
    0
    Location:
    midwest
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    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.
     
    #10 Moresnow, Dec 22, 2021
  11. Another

    Another Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2021
    1,802
    512
    0
    Location:
    Naples, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Fender removal
     
    #11 Another, Dec 23, 2021
  12. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2009
    1,132
    513
    0
    Location:
    Saskatchewan, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    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.
     

    Attached Files:

    #12 alftoy, Dec 23, 2021
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2021
    SFO likes this.
  13. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2019
    1,713
    516
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Re: the video. Seems like it would have been an ideal time to replace those foggy headlights.
     
    #13 pasadena_commut, Dec 23, 2021
  14. burrito

    burrito Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2021
    274
    114
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    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.
     
    #14 burrito, Dec 24, 2021
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)