How to Replace a Rear Body Panel
for all vehicles ( View guide for your vehicle 
)
)
Hard
10.4 to 12.8 hours to fix for the average DIY'er
Parts needed:
Body Panel
Tools needed:
Estimated Costs:
DIY Costs
Est. $280.18 parts only Shop Costs
Est. $907.68 in parts and labor
Est. $280.18 parts only Shop Costs
Est. $907.68 in parts and labor
Costs are based on averages for all vehicles.
Guide Steps
Contributor(s) to this Article
Inspect the rear body panel.
Remove the bumper assembly.
Remove any tail lamps or accessories (such as latches) that may be attached.
Remove the right and left trunk side trim.
Remove the rear panel.
Remove the floor cover.
Remove the spare tire if present.
Remove or lower the exhaust system.
Remove any electrical wiring that is connected or hanging in the way.
Remove the fuel tank if necessary.
Cut the rear body panel out and remove from the vehicle.
Clean up the adjacent parts to prepare for installation on the new panel.
Complete any other repairs to the surrounding parts such as the floor, rails, and inner outer quarters.
Pre-fit the new rear body panel to check for clearance.
Install a new rear body panel by welding it on.
Apply the seam sealer to the entire edge of the rear body panel.
Check for proper fit and alignment to the adjacent parts.
Apply primer to the entire panel.
Apply the basecoat paint to the entire panel.
Bake or dry the painted panel.
Reinstall the parts that were removed: exhaust, fuel tank, suspension, wiring, and trim panels.
Install the new reinforcement.
Install the new absorber.
Install the new bumper cover.
Road test vehicle to verify rear body panel repair.
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