Expert: Ernie - 4/8/2007

Question
I swiped a parking lot pole with the front driver's side of my 1993 Mustang. I could not open the door when I tried to get out, so I kicked it open (I should have gotten out in the passenger side, but I guess I was a little bit mad)
I can squeeze in and out of the car(with some squeaking of the door pushing on the body), but can't figure out how to fix the dent.
The dent is right in front of the door and the door pushes the body in when you open it. We are not able to pry the panel outwards because the crack is too small to get a tool into it. We tried using a dent puller, but there is not a place for it to get a good grip, since the damage is right on the decorative molding.
4 people so far have stopped me on the street to ask me if I want it fixed, and one of them quoted me $40. I have not taken any up on it because I basically got taken for a ride last time I went for an offer like that - the damage was worse afterwards!
I am on a very low budget so I need to find a way to fix it outside of a for-profit body shop. Thank you for your help.


Answer
Take it to a legitimate body shop and if all you are looking for is a rough out so the door works $20 cash in hand will probably get the job done.Or if you have a slide hammer open the door slightly to get the hammer in to pull.If it is too close to the fender you could remove the bottom bolts to move the fender for access.