Font end collision damage - how to check for bent frame

[bamx2]

Any auto body repair people around ? -

A family member recently had a front collision in his Gen 1 2000 Honda CRV. The collision impact was more or less above the bumper - grill.hood, headlights, both fenders
damaged, radiator support pushed back, ps pump pulley bent, no airbag activation or glass damage. The engine runs and the car will move (eng and trans ok I presume) . We might try to DIY fix, because it is one owner car and we have a cheap donor parts source. Looks aren't important but safety is. Other than looking for bent /crimped metal how do perform some basic checks (measurements with a tape measure) to determine whether there is frame damage ? - Thanks

See photo -



more - http://s33.photobucket.com/user/rkpatt/library/crv

 

[jlee]

I don't believe the CRV has an actual "frame" - it's a unibody vehicle. Look at the door gaps to the front fender and see if they've changed. It's probably mostly sheet metal damage.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Chances are good that if it still drives straight it will be fine. Wheels/tires crooked/not aligned? Corner damage or was it a classic lock em up rear ending?

 

[master_shake_]

find a point in the back that is equal in distance from both ball joints in the front and measure them to see if the frame (uni-body) is square.

 

[bamx2]

That was my first thought - measuring front to back and diagonally from those points.

The door to front fender gaps are different but the rear of front door door edge to door to jamb/post gaps seem to be the same

I guess if the above measurements check out, we will start taking thinks apart to look for more damage . (control arm mounts, engine mounts etc).

If everything looks good from my crude measurements , we might tow it to a nearby alignment shop for a precise check before we go further with any repairs. Money well spent I think.

Any more suggestions on what to do next are appreciated.

find a point in the back that is equal in distance from both ball joints in the front and measure them to see if the frame (uni-body) is square.

-Thanks

 

[michal1980]

why arent you using insurance?

 

[jlee]

Whoa @ pic. That's much worse than I expected from the description.

 

[Sukhoi]

why arent you using insurance?

Drove into a parked truck?

 

[michal1980]

why arent you using insurance?

Drove into a parked truck?

while drunk?

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Your front number rails will be slightly pushed down.

 

[bamx2]

I got the hood open and found that some crinkles on the front member rails as well as a dimples in a couple of places. At this point it does not seem worth repairing I see that it is not worth repairing ( body shop estimated 4K based on pix) and DIY would be a real pita if I had to send it out for frame straightening. More trouble than it is worth . Time to sell for parts or scrap.

Oh Well.......

Your front number rails will be slightly pushed down.

 

[thedarkwolf]

A big tree and a come along will fix that right up.

 

[bamx2]

I thought about that but just don't think that I could get it right. Maybe someone with lots of experience could get it close doing that. I sm going to let friend who builds dragsters take a look before I let go of the car.

A big tree and a come along will fix that right up.

 

[halik]

That is totaled; if the core support is pushed back, odds are the frame rails buckled. Isn't that like a $4K car tops? The parts you'll need will run more than that.

 

[JulesMaximus]

No insurance? A body shop could give you an estimate, they would be able to tell pretty easily if it has frame damage.

 

[bamx2]

Yes, it is done for (frame rails bent). I will sell it for salvage (whole car as I have no place to part it out ). I listed the car on CL and will wait a week. Most likely, I will probably wind up selling it to a "we buy junk cars" outfit or through www.damagedcars.com (their offer was $550 and they tow). That seems a little low (but not unrealistic) and I don't have much choice. Any suggestions ?

I kind of wish that I had not dropped collision insurance on it. I had no idea that the car still had that much value (insurance person said $4500 which is about $2k more than I thought). The cost was $ 80/yr !

 

[someone16]

Yes, it is done for (frame rails bent). I will sell it for salvage (whole car as I have no place to part it out ). I listed the car on CL and will wait a week. Most likes, I will probably wind up selling it to a "we buy junk cars" outfit or through www.damagedcars.com (their offer was $550 and they tow). That seems a little low (but not unrealistic) and I don't have much choice. Any suggestions ?

I kind of wish that I had not dropped collision insurance on it. I had no idea that the car still had that much value (insurance person said $4500). The cost was $ 80/yr !

I dunno what it's like at your location but $550 for a totalled 14 year old car seems pretty decent.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

wow 1 look at that picture and i said "that thing is permafucked."