wraprail

Greetings,
I have a 95 Del Sol front damage. Needs radiator support and inner apron replaced. I have already acquired a replacement radiator support from a local Pic-A-Part. First time doing this type of repair and looking for any tips or advice from anyone who has done this repair. Here is what i'm working on........

wraprail

wraprail

Here is the radiator support I got. Today I'm going to start removing radiator, a/c con and all the other crap in the way and start drilling spot welds. I got a couple spot weld cutters from HF ($5 each) see how that goes.

wraprail

So I got the rest of the bolt on parts removed A/C condenser lines and dryer, Radiator, Hoses and misc. brackets.

wraprail

Some more shots of the damage.....





Got the damaged radiator support removed. The car has damage to the driver side frame from an older accident. You can see the bent-twisted frame horn in the photo...

wraprail

wraprail

I was planning on replacing the pass. inner apron (seen here) but now looking at it does not look so bad so I may just straighten it out. What do you think? I have a good replacement but would save some work....

wraprail

And just tonight I took apart the radiator support I got from pic-a-part. The spot weld cutter from harbor freight I must admit works dam good. Only $5 so I got 3 expecting them to be garbage and I only used one so far.



Can anyone tell me what these are for or what they are called? They fit inside the bumper support bar...

wraprail

I don't want this to look like a build thread, that is not my intention. I do have specific questions concerning this repair. This is my first time doing any major auto body repair/replacement like this and would appreciate any suggestions and/or criticism you all have.
I also realize that being a noob here with basically a zero post count that I may be shunned/ignored. I hope thats not the case. In my own defense I would point out that I joined way back in Nov, BEFORE this car (my GF's car) was wrecked so is not like I joined only because I needed something.
Anyway, can anybody recommend a vender for sheetmetal? (i need a hood and pass fender)
Thanks

Tyler Dirden

iTrader: (3)

It looks very much like you have a full understanding of the repair. I can see no fault in what you have done so far. The good pictures are a sign of good future threads from you too.
The drivers side frame appears to be a little bit pulled in. You may have to insert a large pry bar and work it some to get it pointing straight.
No idea who to recommend for body panels. Maybe salvage to avoid shipping?

Welding it back on with a mig would be easiest but brazing is ok too. A TIG would be best if you know how. Good luck and welcome.

wraprail

Thanks Tyler for the reply.
I have an eastwood 175 for a welder. It works. Not my favorite.
I can't decide what to do with that driver frame rail. Today I cleaned all the oil and crap so i could really inspect it.
Is worse than I first thought. I cut a replacement from the wrecking yard piece. My plan was to cut it off just in front of the lower motor mount bolt but now it looks like it could be bent past the motor mount. The following pictures show the damage in more detail.
My question is should I go ahead and cut it, sleave it and replace it, as close as I can with a tape measure OR take it to someone with a frame machine and have it pulled. If I do that I have to load it on my trailer 4 times, all that time and hassle plus it does not run so will have to be pushed everywhere.
Pictures will follow soon

wraprail

So here are the shots of the bent piece. You can see there is a kink in it and the lower half has been pushed back about 1.5 inch.

wraprail

And from the other side (outer). This should be totally flat and square back to about the front bolt in the lower engine mount. You can see where its been pushed out/over-whatever. Its not flat.



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This is the donor piece I was thinking about splicing in.

wraprail

And finally a top view..........



And front view.

wraprail

Another option mite be to heat the crunched are with a torch and use a pry bar and hammer to try and get it right. T'm sure i'm over thinking this, you guys who do this type of work are probably laughing. lol All this fuss over so little damage.
I would appreciate any input from you guys. I really have no idea which way to go on this part.
Thanks

Hidenplanvew

This needs to go to a frame rack, You need to measure in big "X's", To see how out of whack it is. Uni body cars are only allowed 3mm of diff off specs. I wouldn't use those sections of frame as you don't have the overlap you should have for sectioning a frame rail. This this could become a death trap if it gets into another accident. Those frame rails are going to be to strong or not strong enough to with stand another accident. You need to cold pull the frame as heat will actually damage the metal and make it weak. You could try and do this with a come along and large hammer.

Good luck in what ever happens, just know if you sell this and someone gets hurt or dies you are liable for it. There is a reason we do I-car training...

wraprail

So I have removed the right inner apron (wheelhouse) and fit the salvage yard donor piece with some sheetmetal screws so I can mock everything up and check fit before welding.

wraprail

Later today I plan on doing something with the bent left frame rail. Going to try a long azz pipe and a big hammer. Will post pics tomorrow.

Tyler Dirden

iTrader: (3)

That will probably get it very close with your attention to detail.
It also looks good, very good really so far.
Looking at those great pics really didn't show much crunch on that frame rail. I would bet you can get it very good with some patience and proper stress.

I know some guys that use to have anchors on their shop floor for pulling and straightening. If you could get it anchored down behind the drivers wheel and jack up the front damage to put some stress on it; the hammering and prying would be easier.
Putting some dolly or heavy piece of metal behind the hammer blows really helps things get flat again.

wraprail

Tried the pry bar hammer and wasn't getting anywhere so back to plan A.

wraprail

More pics.

wraprail

Got everything in sheet metal screws to check panel fit looks good. Now will tear it apart again and weld-spot weld everything.

wraprail

wraprail

wraprail

Have finished the welding and started reassembly. I pre fit the panels and got the gaps close, took it apart and painted only the under hood areas. Someone else will paint the car later.
I used a high zink weld through primer then a seam sealer and undercoated to hide the uglyness in some places. The welding was very challenging. Like welding a beer can.