Boot lid hinge removal (2015 saloon)

[Call me Ishmael]

Hello Folks,

Recently my son was loading some gear into the boot of our 65-plate Avensis saloon. The guy helping him bounced on the boot lid to slam it shut as it was overfilled with wooden stuff. In doing so he appears to have bent the driver's side boot lid hinge (the u-shaped arm inside the boot space). Presumably it was unable to pivot round due to the excess load. The lid now sits up about 3/4 of an inch on that side when shut although the lid itself shows no sign of damage. A local mechanic looked at it and said the hinge mechanism is welded to the underside of the rear parcel shelf and would need to be drilled out. Is that true?

Can the u-shaped hinge not be removed without resorting to drilling or cutting?

Any help or advice is much appreciated.

CMI

[FROSTYBALLS]

Does your profile need updating to include the 65 Avensis?

[Call me Ishmael]

Yes it was still showing the old car. That should be it sorted now.

[alan333]

Is there any way it could be "un-bent" again?

[Konrad C]

The following is the best I can find - 
http://www.japan-parts.eu/toyota/eu/2014/avensis/adt270r-aefgyw/2_273560_077_530W/body/6105_luggage-compartment-door-lock#64559

Looking at the diagram, the hinges have covers held in by a panel clip and easily removed by pushing the centre of the clip then pulling it out. The hinges are held by hinge pins at the body end, and two nuts holding the boot lid, plus torsion springs and optional damper. The hinge covers may hide the cabling for lights and boot lock/switch!

Carefully observe the fixings and remove the cover clip as described above or you could end up with a more expensive repair. You could use strong pry bay with wood as support/protection, to lever the hinge back.

I would never force a door shut, and having the estate version always careful because of the rear window.  

[Call me Ishmael]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Looking at the diagram, if I can get the wee pin out, the hinge ought to come apart (watching out for wiring!) without major body surgery. Given that it was easily bent out of shape, it may well be possible to unbend it, as both of you have suggested.

[Konrad C]

1 hour ago, Call me Ishmael said:

Thanks for the replies guys.

Looking at the diagram, if I can get the wee pin out, the hinge ought to come apart (watching out for wiring!) without major body surgery. Given that it was easily bent out of shape, it may well be possible to unbend it, as both of you have suggested.

The hinge arms have covers which the wires run through. If you damage any of cables you could cause problems with the following:- boot lock may not work, the door open warning switch, reverse or fog light, number plate illumination, reverse camera (if fitted). 
I try see possible issues to avoid future problems and headaches. Hopefully you will have the boot realigned.