Got in a Fender Bender, What would be needed to fix this on my own?

[xkirex]

Anybody who has gotten into a small accident that can point me in the right direction.

Im thinking I can get away with pulling the core support back out with a truck and a rope, then replace the hood and fender and attempt to align it as best I can.
Any input would be great appreciated.

http://imageshack.us/a/img42/839/vmiw.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img585/8150/ce8f.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img31/6608/spa0.JPG

[sleepyS14se]

you have the right idea. just do it and get it as straight as possible. It really doesn't look too bad to be honest with ya.

[xkirex]

you have the right idea. just do it and get it as straight as possible. It really doesn't look too bad to be honest with ya.

Have you done this job before?
Im dont wanna fuck this up and have to pay a bodyshop more to fix my fuck up.

Halp Guys!

[xBtony]

Like he said you've got the right Idea, if you have a come along its a lot easier to manage it then your friend in a truck lol.

[xkirex]

Like he said you've got the right Idea, if you have a come along its a lot easier to manage it then your friend in a truck lol.

Awesome. What exactly is a come along?

[mechanicalmoron]

Awesome. What exactly is a come along?

A ratchet strap, with a kind of long handle on the ratchet-lets you put some real force on it. Wrap it around a tree or something, and you can use it to pull out (or up - if you pick a strong tree - don't pull it down on your head, and car) bends, especially in a core support.

Take off the bumper and fender, and just find anything bent-bend it back, hammer it back, etc (obviously, in a gentle way). Youtube has some videos on body work for hammer/dolly stuff, bondo, etc.

If you find anything that is over your head, put the fender and bumper in the trunk, head to a body shop - as long as you don't break anything more, you just sped things up for them taking it off. Not like they'll add a "no dissassembly required" fee, or anything.

The bumper can probably be fiberglassed, if not, you can just find a new one. The fender and hood, too, if you can't get them bondoed right (and it looks like the hood might stay warped and not straighten out, if I'm understanding properly that the light pushed into it). None of them are TOO expensive, a body shop would probably just replace them and chrage you an arm and a leg. Just take them all off and concentrate on getting the core support and all the mounting points exactly where they belong, so that everything lines up - then start messing with them.

It looks like the actual damage is just a headlight bracket, maybe the core support, and maybe a bit of the frame under the fender, but not in a bad way.

[xkirex]

Thank you so much for your advice. I have the bumper and fender off and sizing up what needs to be bent back.

Would getting a whole 'nother core support be easier than bending everything back?

[xBtony]

Thank you so much for your advice. I have the bumper and fender off and sizing up what needs to be bent back.

Would getting a whole 'nother core support be easier than bending everything back?

Not easier at all, buddy of mine bought a shell with no core support and it was a bitch to get a new one on there. Judging from your pics it doesn't look like anything a tree and a ratchet strap can't fix, even if it isn't perfect I'm positive you can get it close enough to line the panels back up. :coold:

[smoked240]

A come-along uses a cable so you can apply a lot of force to them compared to a ratchet strap. I used one to straighten my frame on my old mud truck and it was within 1/8". Beat thing to do is chain the rear end to a tree and hook the come-along to a tree in front. Likes others said, the damage isn't too bad and won't take long.

Just make sure when you're pulling the core support to pull it a little past straight since metal likes to retain its previous form, meaning if you pull it straight and release the come-along it will pull back in to where it was if that makes sense? I like to leave the pressure on the come-along for quite a while too. Good luck!

[fliprayzin240sx]

Yup, I used a ratchet strap tied to a tree to straighten my core support.

Just make sure you have your replacement parts on hand so you can use those as a reference to line things up.

From this:
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g254/fliprayzin240sx/75386507-9026-4B46-94D9-5A46E99974EC-3636-000005C4D444C79F_zps28cad690.jpg

Back to this:
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g254/fliprayzin240sx/E19C9962-A7E0-4F4F-BCD2-17AA97A905DA-836-000002270C110DEA_zps3fe1ae39.jpg

[sleepyS14se]

if you decide to use a tree or a telephone pole then keep in mind, You do not need the engine running and you do not need anyone in the drivers seat. Keep the car in neutral with ebrake off. You and a friend or two need to "bounce" the car back and forth to slowly pull out the support in a given area. You will need to move your contact point several times to pull it out evenly. NO sudden insane thrusts are needed. Do it slowly and think about what you are doing before you do it.


And yes i have done this before and have had great results. fliprayzin420 seems to have done an excellent job on his and as you see his results are amazing. Work it slowly and use good judgement lol. A few beers will help in situations like this.

[Juantwo3]

Yup, I used a ratchet strap tied to a tree to straighten my core support.

Just make sure you have your replacement parts on hand so you can use those as a reference to line things up.

From this:
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g254/fliprayzin240sx/75386507-9026-4B46-94D9-5A46E99974EC-3636-000005C4D444C79F_zps28cad690.jpg

Back to this:
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g254/fliprayzin240sx/E19C9962-A7E0-4F4F-BCD2-17AA97A905DA-836-000002270C110DEA_zps3fe1ae39.jpg



excellent job sir.

[xkirex]

Amazing job. My hat to you man. I have gotten the core support out enough to latch down my hood. Used a ratchet winch and a chain.

I should have used a strap since the chain made a dent in the support but nothing too crazy.


Yup, I used a ratchet strap tied to a tree to straighten my core support.

Just make sure you have your replacement parts on hand so you can use those as a reference to line things up.

From this:
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g254/fliprayzin240sx/75386507-9026-4B46-94D9-5A46E99974EC-3636-000005C4D444C79F_zps28cad690.jpg

Back to this:
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g254/fliprayzin240sx/E19C9962-A7E0-4F4F-BCD2-17AA97A905DA-836-000002270C110DEA_zps3fe1ae39.jpg