How to repair front end damage:

Have you done so much to the car today that it just doesn't fit into one section, or are you too damn lazy to split it all up? Either way, this is the section for you.

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Briano1234
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How to repair front end damage:

Post by Briano1234 »

I figured that as of last night I will be starting a how-to on front end repair for the Shade tree mechanic.
My daughter put the front right fender in to a car. Just from what I have seen:

Front Bumper cut (clipper)
Front fender
Front valance (core support)
Grille
Headlight Bucket, and Lamp.

Can't swear to it but I think she kinked the front frame horn.

Pictures will follow as I get my hands on it.
Briano

Yes as matter of fact, I have the Luck o'the Irish...everything I touch turns to fertilizer of the bovine variety.
You can lead a user to a link, but you can't make him Click.... :screwy:
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bbrown
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Re: How to repair front end damage:

Post by bbrown »

Your signature really sums up your life doesn't it? I am sorry to hear about your plight. Your daughter is lucky to have such a nice dad. Good luck.
~Buster

1986 VW Cabriolet 1.8 5 spd.


~__|__\__
[(O)__(O)]
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Briano1234
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Re: How to repair front end damage:

Post by Briano1234 »

Well I got the fender, and bumper cover and core support along with the inner fender and the clipper bits. (Mars/Tornado Red) Red and green go together don't they?

I think I have a headlight bucket in my stash of stuff, but knowing my luck it will be the wrong side. :)
Briano

Yes as matter of fact, I have the Luck o'the Irish...everything I touch turns to fertilizer of the bovine variety.
You can lead a user to a link, but you can't make him Click.... :screwy:
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Calimus
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Re: How to repair front end damage:

Post by Calimus »

Damn Brian. Isn't she out of points on her license yet? :banghead:

Seriously though, this really sucks and I hate that you are constantly having to deal with this sort of thing. On the flip side, it does allow you to put out some damned good how-to's though. Not sure thats your goal in life though :roll:

I'll see if I kept any of the headlight buckets from the old cabby.
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Briano1234
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Re: How to repair front end damage:

Post by Briano1234 »

Calimus wrote:Damn Brian. Isn't she out of points on her license yet? :banghead:

Seriously though, this really sucks and I hate that you are constantly having to deal with this sort of thing. On the flip side, it does allow you to put out some damned good how-to's though. Not sure thats your goal in life though :roll:

I'll see if I kept any of the headlight buckets from the old cabby.

Yep sucks to be me!!!!!!!!!

On a side note as of late I am getting a good work out on the wire welder that I bought....
Briano

Yes as matter of fact, I have the Luck o'the Irish...everything I touch turns to fertilizer of the bovine variety.
You can lead a user to a link, but you can't make him Click.... :screwy:
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Briano1234
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Re: How to repair front end damage:

Post by Briano1234 »

Here are the before


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Briano

Yes as matter of fact, I have the Luck o'the Irish...everything I touch turns to fertilizer of the bovine variety.
You can lead a user to a link, but you can't make him Click.... :screwy:
CalAltaDubber
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Re: How to repair front end damage:

Post by CalAltaDubber »

Gee Brian,

What is it with your daughters banging up your cars?

Hope the repair goes well.
Phil

'87 Cabriolet, "Topless Bunny"
'88 Cabriolet, "Posh Bunny"
'04 Golf
'12 Golf Wagon TDI
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Briano1234
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Re: How to repair front end damage:

Post by Briano1234 »

When you acquire the core you have to cut it off the car.

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I had to remove the frame horns, then cut the I used a spot weld cutter...nifty tool to have.
Harbor freight less than 5 bucks.

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Center punch all the spot welds.

There are about 23 per side

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The Frame horns are stick welded in 4 places.

Two tabs that are on the inside of the horn

At the rear of the frame horn / support and on the inside of the horn.

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Attach the spot weld cutter to your drill, and starting the drill at a slow speed, center it in the punch mark
and slowly drill the cutter to get it to bite. After it has bitten the metal evenly you can increase the speed
till it cuts the metal.

After drilling all the spot welds you can carefully pry the two pieces apart.

I kept the inner wheel well as I may need to repair the one on the car, so I cut it long at the yard.
(when going to the yard, have at least 3 fully charged batteries, and a long, medium, and short blade
(buy milwalkee, or dewalt blades don't go cheap).


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Cutting the frame horns loose is a real exercise, I used a grinder to cut the welds from the outside, then the
sawzall to finish. I had to take it off in sections.

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Grind the welds flat leave enough of the tabs so you can re-weld it.

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This is all the further I have gotten, as I had to be very careful.
Last edited by Briano1234 on Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Briano1234
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Re: How to repair front end damage:

Post by Briano1234 »

I have a tuff decision to make. Should I put the Dual Rounds back on it... or go with the single round chrome trimmed that I scored.... (of course it wouldn't be chrome but "gold leafed"........)
Briano

Yes as matter of fact, I have the Luck o'the Irish...everything I touch turns to fertilizer of the bovine variety.
You can lead a user to a link, but you can't make him Click.... :screwy:
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Calimus
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Re: How to repair front end damage:

Post by Calimus »

Tough call there buddy. I love the dual rounds, but going with the single & (ugggh) more gold would definitly make it that much more your car. :P

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I believe for at least right now, you be holdin the keys. :thumbup:
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Briano1234
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Re: How to repair front end damage:

Post by Briano1234 »

As usual:

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Or

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Briano

Yes as matter of fact, I have the Luck o'the Irish...everything I touch turns to fertilizer of the bovine variety.
You can lead a user to a link, but you can't make him Click.... :screwy:
sixsracing
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Re: How to repair front end damage:

Post by sixsracing »

I vote dual rounds.

I assume my opinion would matter as much in Georgia as it does in Maine....very little.
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Calimus
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Re: How to repair front end damage:

Post by Calimus »

That is a tough call. I'm still a dual round kinda guy. Brian, the choice really is yours man, either way, I know it's gonna look good in the end.
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bbrown
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Re: How to repair front end damage:

Post by bbrown »

I vote for single with metal trim, then again I have a bias. :thumbup:
~Buster

1986 VW Cabriolet 1.8 5 spd.


~__|__\__
[(O)__(O)]
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gull
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Re: How to repair front end damage:

Post by gull »

How much night driving do you do in rural areas? The extra light from the auxiliary high beams is really nice out in the boonies.
VW fan who fell to the Honda side of the force
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