Looks like someone jacked it up right on the floor, even though the damage looks much worse than if someone did that. Is it damaged enough to part out the car or should I just try to hammer it down and see how it is? My concern is the frame rail/support thing.
[This message has been edited by huracan2015 (edited 11-24-2014).]
Haha I actually meant the one inside. Is that just floor support that has no structural purpose?
Well, it supports the weight of you your passenger while sitting in the seat. From the looks of it though, I doubt enough rigidity has been compromised to effect any risk.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 11-24-2014).]
Originally posted by huracan2015: Is that just floor support that has no structural purpose?
The one on the outside is an important structural piece. It keeps the sides of the fuel tank tunnel from spreading apart and deforming the floor pan. Think of the tunnel like a big piece of corrugated cardboard. The ones on the inside are floor pan stiffeners and are important load distributing structures for the occupant's weight.
As for whether the damage is fixable, I'd say: absolutely! Work slowly with a hammer... don't try to move the metal in just a few hard blows. Make sure you back the hammer with a dolly or a piece of hardwood to control the reforming process.
Better yet, do nothing. Look at it in a few years. Bet you can't even find it. Sounds strange, but it works. This has happened to me a number of times. Various falling off lift, tow truck chains, and an angry passenger kicking a door - all disappeared before I got around to fixing them. You'll never do that well with a hammer.
I'll bet it will be more difficult to hammer down than it sounds. I had a similar dent in the floor of my 88 coupe, except it was towards the rocker side of the pan and not the tunnel side. It won't hurt a thing to just leave it alone.
------------------ Raydar 88 Formula IMSA Fastback. 4.9, NVG T550 Praise the Lowered!
They aren't making Fiero's anymore and this one looks structurally sound, just a bit dented. I would save it. As pointed out the much of the structural integrity is in the frame reinforcements. Damage to the sheet metal on this Fiero seems repairable. I would attempt to save it.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
The pics of that metal look way to good to junk. A piece of 2x6 and a sledge hammer will do what needs to be done. That said, don't hammer it while it is on its wheels. Put blocks around the dented section first to give a hard support. This way the suspension and tires can't absorb the shock of the hammer.
My garage has a concrete ceiling. I've put a 4x4 on the end of my jack, braced against the ceiling, and used it to bend back a mistake like that (rad support, in my case). If it was me, on my Fiero, I'd do the same thing. Put the 4x4 through the sunroof and I'd be laughing a few minutes later.
Definitely fixable, may not even be seriously compromised. I believe primary structure is center tunnel where the fuel tank is. It is true that metal changes properties when bent, but what you have is minor damage on a certain location of the structure. Not part-out material.
From the looks of it though, I doubt enough rigidity has been compromised to effect any risk.
