Frame rail damage on a 2006 Toyota Sienna

[steppinthrax]

OK, here goes.

My wife got into an accident a few months ago. I ordered all of the components and I did some "exploratory" surgery on the front end this weekend. I found a few other things that needed to be ordered.

However, one major issue I found was some damage to the front driver side frame rail. It appears when the accident occurred, the frame rail crumpled a bit and flexed a bit inwards. This is somewhat normal since the steel bumper plate took a it in that region. Issue I have is the best way to go about repairing this. My first thinking is wrapping a steel chain around front (away from the inwards bend) with a cable winch on it. Heating it up with a acetylene torch and when very hot, winch the cable to bend it back. Theoretically it just needs to be within tolerance so when I put the new core support in, everything is within alignment.

The other option is to cut it completely off, cut off the same section from a junk chassis and weld it in place. Major issue with this, is it has to be done right.

Within the picture I have circled where the buckling has occurred. The arrows show the force that was applied (at least where I think it was applied). My chain would go against the arrow.

 

[Jumpem]

No insurance?

 

[Bartman39]

Do this and be done with it...:thumbsup:

The other option is to cut it completely off, cut off the same section from a junk chassis and weld it in place. Major issue with this, is it has to be done right.

Just do it right...

 

[PottedMeat]

heh i did a similar repair on a prius... i found out you can buy just about any panel for a recent model toyota

do you really need to bend it back very much?
for me the front end was smashed - the alum bumper reinforcement and radiator support were wrecked and the passenger side bumper extension accordioned. both side supports were inwardly bent slightly. i was able to cut out the radiator support and bend out the bumper extensions (with a chain & another car). i used a homemade tram gauge tool ( made out of a piece of square tubing & some long screws ) and the body dimensions from toyota's collision repair manual to adjust everything into place. when i put the fenders/hood/bumper cover back on it looked pretty good.

if i were you i'd see what pieces to order from here: http://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/ (make a list of toyota part numbers and find the cheapest place), drill out the spot welds, and weld in the new pieces. you could try one of those 'porta power' hydraulic body kits to push them apart too.

 

[steppinthrax]

Thanks, that frame rails is where the core support welds onto. So I will try to get the rails back as much as possible. I was doing research and found that I could simply heat it up with a torch and pull it back.

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[jlee]

Thanks, that frame rails is where the core support welds onto. So I will try to get the rails back as much as possible. I was doing research and found that I could simply heat it up with a torch and pull it back.

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Don't do that. Black2na (autobody professional) will respond with details when he can.

 

[steppinthrax]

No insurance?

It was my wife's fault. Don't want to go through my insurance. The body shop wanted 4K. I bought everything for around 900. So.....

 

[Kenmitch]

Thanks, that frame rails is where the core support welds onto. So I will try to get the rails back as much as possible. I was doing research and found that I could simply heat it up with a torch and pull it back.

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A very long time ago(1987-88) I used to work in a body shop. I just did the suspension part of the process. I don't really remember them breaking out the blow torch when fixing the frame. It was either drill/cut/replace or they would just put the vehicle on the frame machine and pull/twist/hammer back in place. Seems like heating up and stretching it back in place would sacrifice the structural integrity of the item being repaired.

I must say on the other hand I've seen many hacked, butchered, how are they staying together vehicles over the years....I call them craigslist cars as most of the time when asked the owner says yep bought it on craigslist.

 

[Slacker]

That is a crumple zone, don't heat it, get it fixed right, this is a safety issue.