2G How bad does this look??

[Talonman86096]

Well had a little bit of a fender bender the other night, no one hurt just my car involved. Just wanted to see what some of your opinions are on this damage and if you think there could be anything I'm not really seeing. Obviously the bumper cover is done and will need replaced but it's not dragging. Lost both fog lights too. Main concern is the radiator and such. It didn't break off but you can see it did take a bit if a hit and got bent in some. I have no leaking or anything like that and car seems to run and drive fine. Just thought I'd get some opinions on how bad you think this looks. Thanks guys

 

[CaitSith]

Well if there is nothing leaking, you're safe. Correct me if I'm wrong, but those tubular lines in front of your radiator are the power steering cooler lines. They are under pressure, so if they are cracked they will defiantly leak. Also, make sure they aren't too bent to cause an obstruction in fluid flow. Electrically, since the fog lights were taken out, make sure there are no bare wires exposed. That might cause some trouble if the fuse isn't blown yet, yatta yatta electrical stuff.

Overall, looks like you lucked out. Keep us posted!

 

[Talonman86096]

Will do. I honestly wasn't exactly sure what the metal lines were for in front of the radiator but that makes sense. They are bent but not leaking that I can see. I have to get it inspected before the end of the month so I'll have them check or out and see what they say. I can do the bumper cover myself I'm sure. I'm actually thinking now may be a decent time to get myself a front mount set up and just do it all at once haha. That is if it doesn't cost me a ton with something I'm not seeing yet, or if those lines are an expensive fix and need replaed.

 

[jbeaton9292]

Here is what i would do the inner hillbilly in me hook a chain around the center beam in front of the radiator and the around a hitch tree fence post something with support and go in reverse slow and keep checking till its close then i would fiberglass the bumper to make it look good again and the radiator will sit back in place when you pull the center part out it seems thats my opinion till you save up to get new parts

 

[Talonman86096]

Thanks for the reference and the advice guys. I sent a message to stangmurdera to see if there is anything he has available.

 

[mbyoung424]

I'm pretty sure those lines are for the power steering and not the A/C. You should be able to follow the line coming from the bottom of the P/S reservoir down there. I too was in a small fender bender (didn't realize how weak the early 1G brakes are until then) only the A/C lines cracked so I pulled the whole A/C system out and then made a new attachment for that P/S loop.

 

[97 eclenger]

the tube in the front as said before is for power steering fluid cooler. ac is behind that and radiator behind that

 

[Talonman86096]

Alright so did some reading and what I'm seeing is people removing the power steering cooler line all together without really any ill affect. So if I can't get it back to a decent position or depending on its condition does that sound like some logical to do??

 

[97 eclenger]

i may be wrong, but i don't think there really is any ill effects. it will just be cycling warm fluid. it'll use less fluid than it does to fill the cooling tube up

 

[oneslowwdsm]

Here is what i would do the inner hillbilly in me hook a chain around the center beam in front of the radiator and the around a hitch tree fence post something with support and go in reverse slow and keep checking till its close then i would fiberglass the bumper to make it look good again and the radiator will sit back in place when you pull the center part out it seems thats my opinion till you save up to get new parts

That's how you destroy a trans and or clutch. You need a decent amount of torque to pull a radiator support, something our cars don't have.

I would pull the bumper off and inspect any frame damage. If it is simply the radiator support pushed in you can always cut and weld a new one in. Or take it to a frame shop and have them pull it. I had a similar accident years ago with my GSX and I paid around 200 to have it professionally pulled. Good luck.

 

[jbeaton9292]

That's how you destroy a trans and or clutch. You need a decent amount of torque to pull a radiator support, something our cars don't have.

I would pull the bumper off and inspect any frame damage. If it is simply the radiator support pushed in you can always cut and weld a new one in. Or take it to a frame shop and have them pull it. I had a similar accident years ago with my GSX and I paid around 200 to have it professionally pulled. Good luck.

Its not the core support its the center brace that i have pulled into place after it wqs pushed back from a tow that pushed my fmic into it trust me our cars could pull that out easily

 

[Talonman86096]

Ok so I'm attempting to take off the the bumper cover and I think I have just about all the bolts off however there are two, what look like Phillips head screws under the headlights which are the last two things I can see holding the cover to car. Am I correct thinking I'm going to have to take the headlights out to get to them or am I missing some kind of trick? They feel like plastic clips but I'm not sure.

 

[ajcavanah]

They are white plastic push pins and yes removing the headlights will make it easier.

 

[mbyoung424]

If your car is a DD you should be fine eliminating that cooling line. If you're doing autocross or rallyx you may have issues. Looks pretty easy though. Just disconnect the return line from underneath the P/S fluid reservoir then cut the P/S rack return line (it's the line a little lower and to the left of the reservoir).