Bret,

Your approach sound just like what I would do. But Dave is right, I
would be inviting further damage.

You might want to try this: spread the load on the good side to the
corners and jack something right on the point on the bad side. A wide
triangle on one side with a two-by-four end on the other.

Better yet, take it to a body shop and see what they would charge for
the use of a frame straightener.

Jim

On Thu, Mar 3, 2011 at 6:09 PM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
> just sounds to me like a recipe for further damage. �mcneely
>
> ---- Bret Berger <bretberger@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> 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
>
> --
> David McNeely
>