> 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.

Yeah, those corners areas are likely much stiffer.

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

Sound advice.  I will take it in for an estimate.

> 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?