sorry to see it man. unfortunately driving defensively these days means watching every direction around you. 
bub
Bad Crash--need Help
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles California
Bad Crash--need Help
Hey guys,
I just bought my first C5 corvette, had it for about 5 months now. Unfortunately some IDIOT decided to use my car as his brake in traffic. The damage was very extensive. I was wondering if anyone knows or has experience taking off the back bumper to check for structural damage or frame damage. Does this involve taking of the wheels? Please HELP, I want to get a good gauge on my estimate?
Thanks
I just bought my first C5 corvette, had it for about 5 months now. Unfortunately some IDIOT decided to use my car as his brake in traffic. The damage was very extensive. I was wondering if anyone knows or has experience taking off the back bumper to check for structural damage or frame damage. Does this involve taking of the wheels? Please HELP, I want to get a good gauge on my estimate?
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,222
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
yes, you do have to take the wheels off, but with the size of that hole, you can probably see everything w/o taking it off. Sorry about your car and good luck with the repairs
from http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...23529#poststop
I wrote that from memory after doing it, but it's not that bad
from http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...23529#poststop
I wrote that from memory after doing it, but it's not that bad
Originally Posted by Lancer033
Steps for removing the rear fascia
1. lift the car, put it on jack stands, remove the rear wheels.
2. remove the wheel wells, there are 8 7mm bolts holding it in place, the last one is under the side rocker panel.
3. reach up to where the rear fascia meets the quarter panel, there are 4. bolts that you can reach from here, I think they are 11mm
5. under the car, there are 4 tabs. These things are a bear to get out, I'm sure there is a trick to get them out, but I ended up using a crow bar.
6. back outside the car, remove the licence plate bracket, 4 torx screws and the tail lights, 2 torx screws each. and disconnect the bulbs
7. reach in the outer tail lights and you can get to a few more screws, 11mm I think, same size as the ones in step 4
8. behind the licence plate bracket, there are 2 screws that I'm not sure how to describe. They have a large head about 1" in diameter painted the same as the body with a square tip. I just used the torx bit and forced it in. They were not on very tight
9. the last thing to do is lift the trunk and unscrew the torx screws along the top.
10. then carefully lift up and out. Before you get to far, hold the fascia with one arm and reach in and pull out all of the connections for the tail lights, they are all on 1 string of wires and just pull out.
1. lift the car, put it on jack stands, remove the rear wheels.
2. remove the wheel wells, there are 8 7mm bolts holding it in place, the last one is under the side rocker panel.
3. reach up to where the rear fascia meets the quarter panel, there are 4. bolts that you can reach from here, I think they are 11mm
5. under the car, there are 4 tabs. These things are a bear to get out, I'm sure there is a trick to get them out, but I ended up using a crow bar.
6. back outside the car, remove the licence plate bracket, 4 torx screws and the tail lights, 2 torx screws each. and disconnect the bulbs
7. reach in the outer tail lights and you can get to a few more screws, 11mm I think, same size as the ones in step 4
8. behind the licence plate bracket, there are 2 screws that I'm not sure how to describe. They have a large head about 1" in diameter painted the same as the body with a square tip. I just used the torx bit and forced it in. They were not on very tight
9. the last thing to do is lift the trunk and unscrew the torx screws along the top.
10. then carefully lift up and out. Before you get to far, hold the fascia with one arm and reach in and pull out all of the connections for the tail lights, they are all on 1 string of wires and just pull out.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles California
Originally Posted by Lancer033
yes, you do have to take the wheels off, but with the size of that hole, you can probably see everything w/o taking it off. Sorry about your car and good luck with the repairs
from http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...23529#poststop
I wrote that from memory after doing it, but it's not that bad
from http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...23529#poststop
I wrote that from memory after doing it, but it's not that bad
Thanks you very much , this was very helpful. now i just have to beable to do this..
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
Likes: 26
From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Sorry to hear of your misfortune. You ought to fill out your location in your profile. Maybe some CF members can post a good vette body shop in your area.
Good luck on the repair.
Good luck on the repair.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: Plymouth Michigan
Sorry to hear, That really sucks bro... I'm feeling for you. But I think you got lucky... I would consider that minor damage for someone rear ending you hard. I saw another vette get rear ended and you could see the dash from the liscense plate. If your axle and differential and everything is ok than this shouldn't be a humongous cost. Although it is gonna stink not driving for a while.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,222
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
I hate to ask the dumb question, but why are you trying to do any thing to it yourself? Wouldn't it be better to just let a body shop do the work and let the insurance company take care of the bill?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles California
St. Jude Donor '06-'08
It would be best to go through your insurance company. Not only will your car be repaired properly but the A$$ who rear-ended you will have no choice but to pay and won't be bothering you. They do try to make you assume the responsibility for it all.
Good Luck!!!!
Forrest
Good Luck!!!!
Forrest
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 58,551
Likes: 95
From: The warm part of Anger Island
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by Lancer033
I hate to ask the dumb question, but why are you trying to do any thing to it yourself? Wouldn't it be better to just let a body shop do the work and let the insurance company take care of the bill?
Especially if the insurance company has to pay to have it fixed anyway. If he does something to the car himself, could the Insurance Company come back and say that he caused more damage and lower the amount of money they pay out?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus
If he does something to the car himself, could the Insurance Company come back and say that he caused more damage and lower the amount of money they pay out?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: Spanaway WA
Especially if the dude that hit him is at fault, then that person's insurance should be involved. Unless he didn't have insurance. But either way, this is shy we pay those high premiums. I wouldn't touch my car with a 10-foot pole in this case. Let the "pros" handle it.
