Front Crossmember Dent removal tool
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Front Crossmember Dent removal tool
Have tried to contact a fellow that was"renting" his a couple years ago. No response. Does anyone have this tool that would be willing to rent it to me? I promise to return it and take good care. Would also consider a purchase of a used one if need be?
Does this belong in the F/S section? If so, sorry!
Dan
Does this belong in the F/S section? If so, sorry!
Dan
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...pair-tool.html
Link is to old thread here that has a picture, best I can do.
Can't find the tool at any of the suppliers, seems to be discontinued.
Dan
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 297
Likes: 3
Dent removal tool
FWIW, I too had a badly dented lower front crossmember, but instead of trying to remove the dent, I simply took a chisel and removed the lower dented portion, flattened the removed piece to make a pattern, traced the pattern onto a nice piece of .120 thick steel sheet which is thicker than the original piece, then mig welded the new piece onto the frame. When I finished, it looked original but is now thicker and will not dent very easy like the factory piece. I did this with the frame out of the car, but if your car is all together I think you could still do this, although it would be a little tougher working from underneath the car. This took me one afternoon to accomplish and cost nearly nothing. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
VolVette has it on their website. http://www.volvette.com/TL80.html
I too would be interested in renting it.
I too would be interested in renting it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
Here's a picture of the tool -
I havn't used the tool, but guessing that the part with the weld nut goes into the crossmember. The bridge goes across the main structure of the crossmember, and the bolt screws into the weld nut, and pulls the dent down.
I'm guess that maybe the shims are to keep the inside part in a certain location? Or to keep the whole thing from moving?
I havn't used the tool, but guessing that the part with the weld nut goes into the crossmember. The bridge goes across the main structure of the crossmember, and the bolt screws into the weld nut, and pulls the dent down.
I'm guess that maybe the shims are to keep the inside part in a certain location? Or to keep the whole thing from moving?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
FWIW, I too had a badly dented lower front crossmember, but instead of trying to remove the dent, I simply took a chisel and removed the lower dented portion, flattened the removed piece to make a pattern, traced the pattern onto a nice piece of .120 thick steel sheet which is thicker than the original piece, then mig welded the new piece onto the frame. When I finished, it looked original but is now thicker and will not dent very easy like the factory piece. I did this with the frame out of the car, but if your car is all together I think you could still do this, although it would be a little tougher working from underneath the car. This took me one afternoon to accomplish and cost nearly nothing. Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,266
Likes: 4,361
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I believe the fellow who designed and made the tool is Terry Fiala.
Google.... Terry Fila Corvette Tool and you'll see T.J.A. Tooling Inc.
He designed the tool about 5? years ago.
Regards,
Alan
I believe the fellow who designed and made the tool is Terry Fiala.
Google.... Terry Fila Corvette Tool and you'll see T.J.A. Tooling Inc.
He designed the tool about 5? years ago.
Regards,
Alan
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...pair-tool.html
Bob68 had stated he had a tool willing to rent
That was a little while ago but worth checking
So far I've avoided rolling past the firewall so I'm holding off for now
Mooser
Bob68 had stated he had a tool willing to rent
That was a little while ago but worth checking
So far I've avoided rolling past the firewall so I'm holding off for now
Mooser
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 355
Likes: 18
From: Corona Ca
Info posted above on use of this tool looks about right from looking at the pics, but does anyone have "official" instructions on how to use this tool?
edit, Searched for the info posted by Alan and found a back door link to this... same thing?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...-corvette.html
Best,
Tom
edit, Searched for the info posted by Alan and found a back door link to this... same thing?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...-corvette.html
Best,
Tom
Last edited by chevygod; Feb 15, 2012 at 04:51 PM. Reason: found something more...
