View Full Version : I recently slid sideways into a tree with my 1999 Chevy Cavalier, Frame repairable?
sexystud32111
12-03-2008, 02:21 PM
I hit in the middle of the passenger door(front as its a coupe) doing about 30-35 pretty much straight on completely sideways. It wasnt a big tree. A small-medium sized tree. It pushed my door in so that it is touching the passenger seat and pushed up my dash a little. Thats not what Im worried about though. I can get a new door, but it looks the the frame of my car is bent in under the door. Do you think that is repairable? The car is driveable, but if I try to put a new door on do you think it will work? Any help is greatly appreciated.
It looks kind of like this, but with a smaller tree and on the front door. Maybe pushed a little farther in? http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1255118251058099207Gdkhkt
It doesnt look like the pillar is bent at all, my windshield is in tact, just the inside of the door pressed into the dash/glovebox. The rocker panel is pushed in about 4 in if that helps?
Alucard
12-03-2008, 02:23 PM
Insurance companies would call that a totaled car. if the frame is bent it is unsafe in a crash. if the damage is just to the body it is repairable. The cost depends on the severity of the damage, from the pic it looks like body damage. you should add some pics of the frame.
double E
12-03-2008, 02:24 PM
Well, anything's repairable, but if your car is half that bad I'd say it's totaled. If the dash is moved the door post is almost certainly pushed in, making it impossible to just bolt on a door and go. If the windshield is broken, (which you didn't say but I'm assuming if the dash is moved it is) then there is even more damage there to fix; as the windshield frame has to be pulled straight with the post. If the rocker panel (under the door frame) is pushed in it will have to be pulled out or replaced by cutting and welding in new metal if to bad to pull. Same with the roof. Now that all that's looked at, since the car is bent on one side like that, the wheelbase could be shorter on one side than the other. If so now we're talking 'bout pulling the whole chassis on a frame machine to get the wheels in the right places. Look the car over real well with a couple friends and measure the center-to-center wheelbase on both sides, fender to quarter panel length both sides, x-measure the windshield frame, and be sure what you have. It's probably not as bad as all that but you gotta look and be sure. Body shops give free estimates don't be afraid to ask about how they will do the panels (pull or replace or just weld up) and the underbody. Good luck. P.S. It might pay to find a very similar car with a blown-up motor or tranny out for cheap and put your drivetrain in it.
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