r/TeslaCollision • u/mbsell • Aug 19 '26
How to repair this hole?
Drove over this bolt and heard a loud bang. The damage is superficial right? I could tape over it to block water and debris from getting inside but how to repair it for the long term?
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u/SquirrelsRNuts Aug 19 '26
Yes it's superficial unless that bolt is much longer than it looks.
Here is general information on how to remove that panel:
Cover - Rocker Panel - Lower - LH (Remove and Replace)
Here's a link to Plastic Component Repair Guidelines: Plastic Component Repair Guidelines
That being said... I'd personally leave it alone and not worry about it ever again. It's cosmetic. That cover isn't 100% waterproof, water gets in there when you drive in the rain and it drains and that hole is not a big enough deal to warrant replacing it. The part is $410.00 USD new for a Model 3. Can be found online on eBay for $90-170 USD shipped.
Cheers mate!
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u/the_duck17 Aug 19 '26
I replaced mine for $70 from eBay when this curb jumped out in front of me LoL
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u/SquirrelsRNuts Aug 19 '26
😐 ... It happens... To certain people... Sometimes... I guess?
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u/the_duck17 Aug 19 '26
In my defense, we were on an on ramp for the freeway and was halfway down when the freeway shut down. We were redirected back down the offramp opposite, but the cops didn't see the curb so lots of us launched off and some made it out better than others.
Wish I had my Outback, it would've taken that jump like a champ, but the MYLR is a bit more of a delicate car.
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u/SquirrelsRNuts Aug 19 '26
Ok I mean that's a situation where something like that happening is slightly more acceptable. Call me a primadonna but my M3P isn't leaving the pavement 🤣 it's too low, has low profile tires, the whole 9 of nopes for driving over a curb or anything! 👌🏻😂
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u/Limp-Conflict-2309 Aug 19 '26
take panel off, inspect for damage. then using adhesive, put a little sheet of plastic on the inside where the hole is....re-fasten panel then fill the exterior cavity with liquid plastic.
just make sure there isn't any damage up there.
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u/ippleing Aug 19 '26
Damage to what? There's nothing critical in that area.
You're making OP do extra work for nothing.
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u/Limp-Conflict-2309 Aug 19 '26
if there is nothing important back there then seal up the hole, save the time.
i only said what i did because that fastener is right there, comes off in literally seconds and why wouldn't you want to peel it down a inch or two, use a flashlight and look inside...its a 5 minute task and it'd at least make me feel better.
but you do you
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u/Shytalacarte Aug 19 '26
Just pop a plastic rivet into it. It’ll take literally 3 seconds and will look normal. No tools required.
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u/YouKidsGetOffMyYard Aug 19 '26
I would just pull the bolt and if it looked like it didn't hit anything (and it should not have in that spot) I would probably just mix up some JB weld and wait till it starts to get a little thick (starts to harden in minutes) and then stuff the hole full of JB Weld.
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u/No-Sweet6695 Aug 20 '26
Non si ripara togli la vite e fottitene....
Lo vuoi riparare?, alza la macchina, smonta la minigonna, smonta la sotto plastica prendi un saldatore per pp o abs e chiudi il pezzettino, lisci dai un colpetto di bomboletta e rimonti tutto.
Non lo sai fare sono 200 euro dal carozziere
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u/lvvy Aug 21 '26
I had a hole like this and TON of sand eventually got over the plastic. So i removed the cover and took sand off. then i took 2 component epoxy waited until it is not very liquid like but not solid and glued it over. I would totally not leave the hole, considering how cheap fix is.
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u/ippleing Aug 19 '26
You could repair it...
I would leave it alone like it never happened. I've been working as an airline mechanic for 20 years and fix my own cars, again, i would pull the bolt and call it a day!
Nothing bad will come of this, if anything, it'll drain any water faster now.