I just went out to clean off some of the snow on the wing. I wasn't in any hurry to dig the whole car out since I don't need to drive it, and figuring the whole thing was plastic except the rear quarters, saw now potential for harm from a little snow (though did get to thinking that the wing is mostly unsupported and so would be a good idea to clean off).

Well, in the process I saw a hole in the snow at the point where the upper corner of the d/s fender is inbetween the door and the hood. So I cleaned it off a bit and noticed there was quite a gap there. The fender didn't seem bent (and it is plastic, so that idea was kinda odd), and it's never been hit. The curve also seemed consistent, but I am paranoid, so I trudged, knee deep, to the other side and cleaned it off a bit and sure enough, the gap is virtually non-existant on the p/s, but I can get my hand in the d/s.

And ideas or advice other than a body shop? I just don't have the money for that right now.

 

The support brackets behind the outer part get bent often from the car being jacked up at incorrect points (such as by Discount Tire), causing the panel to stick out... fortunately, it often is possible to bend them back into the right position. This might be the problem with yours
Threads about it:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/texas-members/258732-fender-busted-b-c-discount-tire.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearance-detailing/13546-help.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-maintenance-repairs/184723-how-bang-out-wrong-jacked-door-thingers.html

 

Thanks, you're giving me a bit of hope.

One thing though, when reading through those threads, I found a pic of what was being described (in those threads) -


I didn't see the lower part on my car, as that too is covered with snow, but I will be making it a point to check it out now as I dig it out.

What I was describing on my car is just above what you see in that pic. Where the back of the hood curves around, continued by the quarter panel, then picked up by the door. This is against the windshield/A pillar. I can get my fingers down between the windshield and the quarter panel, but only on the d/s.

Wish I had a decent digital camera.

I've never noticed this before. I've had it since it was new, and wash it every few weeks in warm weather. I was wondering if it was bumped with the snow blower, but, it really doesn't appear to have been. I did have SFCs installed on it, and started to think (after reading these threads) that maybe that could have been it, but that was back when the weather was warm and I have washed it since then too, and still hadn't seen it. I'm wondering if maybe some ice pushed something out? I really don't know, like I said, it doesn't seem to be bent anywhere, just not "even", which seems to indicate a problem (even if it's just poor design/build).

Think that what I'm describing could still be a jacking problem? It's a black car, so that could be why I hadn't noticed it before (it was the hole in the snow that actaully showed it to me).

Once I get it dug out I will look underneath and try to get a better overall idea of what's going on.

 

Hrm... I don't think I've heard anyone mention having a problem at that area, and I doubt the jacking problem could have messed things up so far up.

You say you wish you had a 'decent digital camera'... does that mean you have one but it's just not very good quality? If so, go ahead and give it a try, low-quality photos are better than none

It's so frustrating when you notice a problem and don't know how long it's been like that, isn't it...

 

Only a cheap USB Webcam, so there is no way to even make use of it. I will see if I can find one to borrow or something though.

 

Just an update to keep it from falling outta sight, outta mind.

I dug it (mostly) out just now, and it appears that something is pushing (or has bent) the very back corner of that fender out and away from the car.

Once the remaining bit melts off I'll borrow a camera and get some shots. I'm still hoping it'll be an easy fix and that you guys can shed some light on what's going on. Should be a couple of days if the weather forcasts are accurate.