Replacing Bumper/Quarter Panel/Hood...

[newParadigm]

I got in a minor fender bender today. The accident turned out to be no fault (actually the traffic light sequencing was fvcked, leaving me in the middle of the intersection waiting to make a left turn at a red light, but somehow the oncoming traffic still had a green). Assuming I can find the parts listed in the title, is it feasable for me to attempt to install them myself? I have various tools at my disposal, but a list of what's traditionally required would be helpful. I'm also very handy mechanically, so that shouldn't be much of an issue. I think its more of a question of, do I need any equipment I won't have/can't get.

Also, I need a new front right blinker. When it blew, it shorted my blinkers, and blew a fuse. How long can I drive w/o fixing the fuse problem, and then how long can I drive w/o a front right blinker (assuming I keep the accident report in the car with me)?

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated,

~new

:::EDIT:::

Originally posted by: newParadigm

Originally posted by: RyanSengara
If there isn't a massive amount of paint damage, look into PDR (Paintess Dent Removal), I got into a fender bender and I got it all popped out without atking it to a body shop and had a guy come to my house to do it for a quarter of the price.

It was perfect!

Not possible. SOrry that I didn't reply earlier, and thankyou for all your help (that goes to everyone). I took the car to a tire shop to get a frond end alignment (since I got hit mid-turn, it messed that up). The guys checked out the front end before they did the alignment, and my front right strut, where I got hit, is bent. I'm just gonna bite the bullet at this point and claim it, seeing as I only have a $200 deductable.

 

[newParadigm]

bumpity. While this isn't of immediate importance, I want to start checking some junkyards tomorrow, soo....

I'm not tryin to be "pushy", I could just really use some help.

 

[jagec]

You need a set of sockets, a couple big wrenches, and for the bumper you might need a good idea of where the cheap plastic clips are that hold the outer trim to the quarter panels. Hood and quarter panels shouldn't be hard to switch.

As for the blinker..you can drive it until you get pulled over for the second time, and they see that you've already been issued a fix-it ticket. You can continue to drive it if you wish, but it starts costing more and more. But what's stopping you from just replacing the bulb+fuse?

 

[danzigrules]

i take it you mean fender and not quater panel. Being that a quater panel is above the rear wheels.

 

[akshatp]

How do you plan on painting said parts? You cant just go to your local Home Depot and get the paint and brush ya know

 

[I Saw OJ]

Ya, you can replace those parts easy. A short in the fuse might be a little tricky. As for painting, you can do all the prep work yourself and save a ton of money when you take it to a paint shop since all the hard work is done.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: danzigrules
i take it you mean fender and not quater panel. Being that a quater panel is above the rear wheels.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter_panel

 

[yhelothar]

That's not no fault.. that's the city's fault. They are clearly liable for it.

 

[lyssword]

Yep very possible, unless there is a damage to the car frame.

 

[RbSX]

If there isn't a massive amount of paint damage, look into PDR (Paintess Dent Removal), I got into a fender bender and I got it all popped out without atking it to a body shop and had a guy come to my house to do it for a quarter of the price.

It was perfect!

 

[newParadigm]

Originally posted by: RyanSengara
If there isn't a massive amount of paint damage, look into PDR (Paintess Dent Removal), I got into a fender bender and I got it all popped out without atking it to a body shop and had a guy come to my house to do it for a quarter of the price.

It was perfect!

Not possible. SOrry that I didn't reply earlier, and thankyou for all your help (that goes to everyone). I took the car to a tire shop to get a frond end alignment (since I got hit mid-turn, it messed that up). The guys checked out the front end before they did the alignment, and my front right strut, where I got hit, is bent. I'm just gonna bite the bullet at this point and claim it, seeing as I only have a $200 deductable.

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: danzigrules
i take it you mean fender and not quater panel. Being that a quater panel is above the rear wheels.

many front quarter panels are bolt on.

 

[jemcam]

Year, make, and model of your car?

Replacing those parts are easier on some cars than they are on others. Also consider that there is likely hidden damage.

You want it to look good, or do you want people to point at your car and laugh? If you don't hang a fender right, as soon as you open the door that is adjacent to it, you'll screw up the door and paint, not to mention ruining the new fender you just hung on the car.

It takes body men many years to get good at what they do. If a kid with a $10.00 socket set could do their work, they wouldn't have careers.

I've been in the auto body repair business for over 20 years. It's much harder than it looks. If you do it, post before and after picture so we can laugh!

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: Cattlegod

Originally posted by: danzigrules
i take it you mean fender and not quater panel. Being that a quater panel is above the rear wheels.

many front quarter panels are bolt on.

The only FENDERS that are not bolt on was the late '70s to early '90's GM vans. The top of the FENDERS were welded on. I haven't seen any FENDERS that were not bolted on since then.

You may be thinking of quarter panels which are in the rear. Some of them are bolted on, specifically Saturns and the good old Fiero.

 

[jemcam]

To my knowledge, the last vehicle that had true front quarter panels were the old VW bug. The fenders bolted on to them. They had quarter panels front and rear with fenders bolted on to them.

That being said, many people who are not in the business refer to fenders as quarter panels universally. I saw the definition in Wikipedia. It's wrong. Ask anyone in a bodyshop or someone who has worked body repairs. They'll tell you I'm right.