hi..
I use a bottle jack for exactly this job ..
though it's awkward ..
you have to support or balance it right where you want it ..
and laying the right way ...they won' work on their side except in the right
orientation.

so a dedicated tool would be handy all right.

and you have the right idea..
though I would try to get the support on the non-dented side very evenly
spread out for the entire distance top to bottom ..
in other words.....spread the forces out over the entire distance and very
evenly ..

then on the dented side ..a smaller piece, like a foot long piece of 2 X 4.

they'll push back to shape pretty nicely actually.
piece of cake ..
once you set it up properly.

Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bret Berger" <bretberger@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2011 3:37 PM
Subject: Spreading the damaged hatch opening?

> In the all-to-common right side swipe, the right rear corner of my
> Vanagon, about 2/3 the way up on the hatch, was pushed inwards about 1
> inch.  I am thinking of fabricating two wooden braces, fitted to the
> shape of the opening on each side and using a bottle jack to spread the
> opening.  The brace on the left (undamaged) side would be larger (2
> feet?) to distribute the force so to prevent that side from distorting.
>  The brace on the damaged side would be smaller (6 inches?) and would
> hopefully push out the corner.
>
> Any thoughts on this or alternate suggestions?  I notice Habor Freight
> has a selection of hydraulic tools for body repair.  Should I be using
> those?
>
> -bret
>
> Saint George, Utah
> 1982 Diesel Westfalia