Body work Front Left Fender?

1999 BUICK LESABRE
150,000 MILES • 3.8L • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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AHARTLEY
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The car was hit by a deer from the front right causing the front left hood hinge to bend backward hence not allowing the hood to open as the back part of the hinge catches on the metal under it, hence not raising much.
Maybe if I can get the fender taken off then I could get to the hinge to either replace it or work on it for now.
There are bolts/nuts in the top part of the fender under the edge of the hood. I do not know if they go back farther than I can raise the hood.
I do not have the money to buy another hood nor windshield should I brake the windshield.
So, question. Could you give me any advice on removing the fender? or the hood? I can see a couple of possibilities if the hood would raise, but then again if the hood would raise I would not have to trouble myself.
Nov 13, 2023 at 2:47 PM
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STRAILER
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I would not break the windshield; can you upload images of the problem so I can help walk you through the repair? Can you wedge a large pry bar to help move the hood toward the front of the car so it will open further?
Nov 14, 2023 at 8:08 AM
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AHARTLEY
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I will try to get pictures or videos this day and get them sent to you.
I've already chipped the windshield right good in this attempt.
I certainly would appreciate your help as I only had minimal insurance, so this wasn't paid for. I have upped my insurance now but that doesn't help what's done, huh?
Nov 14, 2023 at 9:04 AM
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AHARTLEY
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I didn't know that the camera I'm using wouldn't record the sound. I'm trying to send 2 short videos, so we shall see.
I'm sure you can see how bent that hinge is, to the point that the bottom part of the hinge will catch on the metal under it and will not allow the hood to raise very far. I'd suppose I could put something under the floor jack I had on the front of the bumper cover, I'm almost sure the hood would buckle enough to allow me to raise it a bit higher, it buckled enough to raise it that far. I could always take a big hammer to bend the hood back down a bit if needs be. At this point I'm not horribly concerned about looks but functionality, for the time being.
I don't know how far the bolts on the top of the fender go back so I don't know that I could get them all out at this point to remove the fender.
The chip in the windshield I had done, not the deer.
The car drives and handles about as well as it did before the old Buick got hungry for deer meat...
Videos (Click to enlarge)
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Nov 14, 2023 at 9:47 AM
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STRAILER
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Thanks for the videos, they help. Yep, that is a predicament. Since the hood is bad anyway you are going to need to reverse the damage by attaching a chain or strap to the hood and pull it towards the front of the car to help bend the hinge back. This might be a body shop issue; they have the right equipment to force the hood forward. The windshield is broken as well so that ship has sailed, if you don't have a crack in the glass, it will have one after a few months. I don't like telling people to apply force in projects like this because it can cause injury if not done correctly.
Nov 16, 2023 at 9:39 AM
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AHARTLEY
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I do appreciate your response. I've asked for the help/advice and you have given it, thank you.
Nov 16, 2023 at 12:41 PM
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STRAILER
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You are welcome, I wish I could have done more for you. Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.
Nov 17, 2023 at 11:01 AM