Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Unless the OP has a TIG welder (and a lot of experience doing thin sheet metal) replacing the rear quarter is going to be a job for the pros. It's not a bolt-on item.

The front fender and door would still be good ones to procure separately and hand over to the shop. If they're different colors, I'd suggest bringing them over separately, as it'll be far easier to re-spray them in the proper color if they're not attached to the car.

jayc72

iTrader: (14)

I'm pretty sure that rear quarter is spot welded in. Don't think a TIG is needed for that

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Good point- I was thinking along the lines of cutting out just the damaged section. But I suppose you just just drill out all the spot welds and take the whole piece.

Re-installing it onto the car would still require a welder of some kind. I've no idea if the gun-type spot-welding attachments you sometimes see are adequate for this sort of work or now.

jayc72

iTrader: (14)

I'd be damn tempted to try and automotive panel adhesive if you end up replacing the quarter. Wouldn't have to worry about damaging the existing paint or any warping either. Have the 1/4 panel painted off the car, then glue the bitch back on.

johndoe

iTrader: (5)

Quarter panel isn't structural? I would have thought if it's welded it adds to the structure of the unibody.

BradC

iTrader: (6)

I am perfectly comfy getting a painted fender or door to fit properly, helped assemble a few friend's classic cars (most of my friend's are Chevy/Ford guys), but damned if I am confident enough to deal with the rear quarter.

Plan is to take it to a local shop a friend had his car done at, they did great work and do tons of restorations and higher end stuff.

We shall see what the future holds, I am most worried about the insurance trying to write it off and dealing with that hassle.

It took awhle to find a chassis w/no rust, and nice paint...I don't want to have to start over.

jobambo

<Thread Jack>
Question, my car is salvaged. If this would of happened to me, how would the insurance value the repair on the car?
</Thead Jack>

FRT_Fun

iTrader: (19)

I'm so scared of someone hitting my car :(

I am going to start bringing some road cones and some police tape and surrounding my car with it everywhere I park.

gaius49

A good shop can work miracles. I was reended by a frined when I was stopped and he was going 35-40. Frame rail crumpled. Quarter panel folded. Trunk wouldn't open/close. Whole rear end was twisted. It was bad. for 5800 it came out like new. Insurance claimed the car's value to be 6000. It was a close one. Don't worry though, that doesn't look so bad at all.

Here is what mine looked like after the accident.

Yes, I looked at the frame diagrams, the rear quarter panels are structural, you don't replace them.

BradC

iTrader: (6)

Got an estimate today, $2044.88 in damages.

Check was already cut, she'll be back.

Now to decide if I buy some over fenders while its in paint...

Stein

iTrader: (46)

Wow, I guessed that within $45. Glad to hear it's going to work out for you.

jayc72

iTrader: (14)

What are you talking about? The quarter panel is absolutely replaceable. Call a Mazda Dealer and get the part number. Is it bolt on? No, but that doesn't mean it can't be replaced. A body shop can and will replace it for you.

jayc72

iTrader: (14)

Having looked at it, I don't think it is. The inner structure that the 1/4 panel attaches too is, but the outer is just spot welded on.

BradC

iTrader: (6)

Seriously, good call man!

Buuuut, they forgot to put in the damaged mirror and mirror glass, so you were a biiiit more off. Damn close though man!

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Good call.

From the NA collision guide:

sexyKEVIN

could have been alot worse he could have just left .