PFF - Pennock's Fiero Forum, PDA Edition

Front quarter collision - headlight bucket repair? (Page 2/2)

skywurz

FEB 07, 11:08 PM

quote

Originally posted by cle_fiero:

Skywurz - I'd been considering the 4x4/wood+sledge approach. Any pics of your jig, and how you got stuff back up to shape for panel fitment? It really is so thin - I had been leaning towards just cutting out a new box and front fender curve from scratch since it feels a bit like trying to uncrush a soda can haha.

It was me with a 2-3 ft section of 2x4 and 4x4 swapping up also using a 3lb and 5lb sledge beating the ever living Shrek out of it trying to march up the passenger side as far as mounting points. The big part for me (see my 88gt in my sig) my hinge support was compromised so i had to do a bunch of welding to fix that. U finally got to the point where i put everything on for a dry fit. I now know my drivers fender rail needs to come up by about 1/4" or i need to body shim it.

Remember now that you know (having measured) that your suspension and frame at suspension has not been tweaked. You just need to get the metal bent back so things fit back together and align property. Its (the metal) is never going to looks right/perfect. You may not even be able to use all of your mill and drill holes (i can't un fold one one of the ones for my front bumper) i plan to shim and drill a new hole with a self tapping sheet metal screw. Its not going to be factory its been in an accident its not possible. Best to mend move on add it as a disclaimer.

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cle_fiero

FEB 12, 11:38 AM

Update:

I started with the hydraulic ram / bash it with a sledge approach, and am pleasantly suprised by how much progress I was able to make in an hour or so.

I still need to fix the downward bend in the fender guard area under the front quarter. However, the headlights fit in the buckets again!

Next steps are more banging while enough "stuff" is on the car that I can see if the body panels are sitting well, then strip down the whole section and start welding to fix the seam cracks that opened up and to add some reinforcements to areas that "tin canned" a bit.

cle_fiero

FEB 12, 11:40 AM

Headlight bucket: