Possible frame damage???
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 710
Likes: 2
From: Raynham MA
Possible frame damage???
Hi,
I am looking at a 2003 Z06. I had the car looked at by a GM tech. He said the impact bar was damaged. He didnt think anything else was. One of the bars on the impact bar that took the hit was pushed up and back. Or maybe the curb of whatever he hit. In doing that you can see how it pushed the bumper up. What do you think? Please advise.
I am looking at a 2003 Z06. I had the car looked at by a GM tech. He said the impact bar was damaged. He didnt think anything else was. One of the bars on the impact bar that took the hit was pushed up and back. Or maybe the curb of whatever he hit. In doing that you can see how it pushed the bumper up. What do you think? Please advise.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 37
From: Colorado
easiest/cheapest way would be to toss it on an alignment machine. not sure how frame bending/warpage is measured, but if it aligns, it cant be too bad?? lucky or anybody else please correct me, just seems logical.
it looks like that car went on top of whatever it hit, so i'd imagine its ok to fix up.
it looks like that car went on top of whatever it hit, so i'd imagine its ok to fix up.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 710
Likes: 2
From: Raynham MA
Ya, looks like it hit a curb or something, maybe pulling into a parking spot. Guess this isnt that unusual for these cars being so low.
I bought it to a GM tech to look at but he isn't a frame/body guy and didn't test alignment so I'm not sure what the extent of the damage is. He thought it was just the impact bar doing its job. I didn't know this damage was there before seeing the car so I didnt prepare for that type of check.
I bought it to a GM tech to look at but he isn't a frame/body guy and didn't test alignment so I'm not sure what the extent of the damage is. He thought it was just the impact bar doing its job. I didn't know this damage was there before seeing the car so I didnt prepare for that type of check.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 710
Likes: 2
From: Raynham MA
The GM mechanic said the impact bar was damaged. He said it didnt look like anything else was damaged. My concern is if he can really tell that by just looking at it. Could there really be a frame issue, etc..
Just don;t want to buy a car and find out later the damage was more serious.
Just don;t want to buy a car and find out later the damage was more serious.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Well, the radiator support which is what its called can come out without too much difficulty and yes, it can be replaced. Get the car up on a lift and you'll see what I'm talking about. I'd much rather that support get trashed than the frame rail getting bent. I would expect that if the frame rail was damaged, the wheel would be having major issues.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 6
From: Pittsburgh PA
The Impact Bar is part of the frame assembly. It can be changed but requires welding. What your picture shows is the lower rad suport, cradle or cage depending on what you call it. That is not the impact bar. Here is a photo showing it. I don't know how your guy would see much it with the cover still on. You can see the backside with the hood open.
Do the fenders align correctly with the doors? The gaps I can see look good. Any frame damage will result in messed up panel alignment. Everything attaches to the frame. If that rad suport took hard enough hit, the rivnuts could be pulled out of the frame. Not a huge deal but requires the hole to be hammered back in shape and new nuts installed.
Having said all that, it is pretty hard to tell the extent of damage without removing the front cover.
Do the fenders align correctly with the doors? The gaps I can see look good. Any frame damage will result in messed up panel alignment. Everything attaches to the frame. If that rad suport took hard enough hit, the rivnuts could be pulled out of the frame. Not a huge deal but requires the hole to be hammered back in shape and new nuts installed.
Having said all that, it is pretty hard to tell the extent of damage without removing the front cover.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 37
From: Colorado
^^ good post there. thats what you call service. ive never had my front end off enough to see how massive that beam across the front is..
i'd be shocked to see it bent that w/o doing more visible damage.
i'd be shocked to see it bent that w/o doing more visible damage.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 14
From: Odessa TX
Did something similar with my car. The nut-inserts that normally are welded to the frame rail and supports the lower radiator support got ripped out. Even if that's the case for you, it shouldn't be too much to fix. Body shop quoted me like $200-300 including labor to remove and install font bumper.
Or just drive around with it zip-tied and be very careful of curbs. That's what I've been doing till I find time to drop the car off to get everything fixed.
Or just drive around with it zip-tied and be very careful of curbs. That's what I've been doing till I find time to drop the car off to get everything fixed.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 710
Likes: 2
From: Raynham MA
OK, thanks guys. So from looking at the pictures I sent you do you think there is a chance there is any frame damage? or just damage to the radiator support. I think that's also called the skid plate?
