Suggestions for straightening radiator support please
 

A while back I encountered a very steep "dip" in a parking lot. I wasn't moving fast, but it made a loud scraping noise. No visible external damage, but I had the car up on the ramps for a tranny service last night, and it is very obvious the radiator support was pushed back along with the belly pan.

The belly pan itself is ripped, so I'll need a new one. The radiator support is about 2 inches further back on the driver's side, at least compared to the passenger side. Who knows, maybe the passenger side was pushed back a little bit too (though it doesn't seem so). I have already removed the radiator to replace the belt and tensioner, and the radiator did not want to slide out easily since everything is skewed.

Any suggestions for straightening it out? Like I said the radiator is already out, however the A/C condensor is still in there, so pounding is out of the question unless I crack the A/C system open (don't want to do that).

A strong tree & a tie-down or come-a-long. Then maybe a heavy dead blow hammer.

Thanks. I don't have ANY strong trees around here. I was thinking maybe a come-along and the tow hook of my wife's minivan???

That will work :) As long as it clears the fan you will be ok...

You have eight cars listed - which one did you damage? Is the AC R134 or R12?

This is the E320 with R134a. I wouldn't exactly call it damaged, more like "modified". After taking a closer look, it's not hard to see how the support could get bent. It's just stamped sheetmetal. I'm sure a nylon strap between it and the tow hook on my wife's minivan will easily straighten it.

Please post back how you do it. I've got the same "problem" with my father's 95 E300. Thanks.

Tie a strong cable to the support, and to the handle of a 3lb hammer. Then give it a few swings against the cable, while watching the support between each. It will easily move. You don't need a tree or come-along to bend it.

This is scaring me a bit. First of all consider that a cable under tension can spring back if it slips for "some" reason. Also consider that you cold damage the minivan in the process. Chains are better since they don't spring back much.

This seems very ingenious and a lot safer and easier! I will use this idea some day I am sure!

Notice in post #6 I switched gears and said I would use a nylon strap - the comealong breaking also scared me. For that same reason I wouldn't use a chain either (have seen them snap before). Looking at the support, it is thin stamped sheetmetal. I will seriously just wrap the strap around it and put the other end on the tow hook of the minivan. Seriously, there's no way I'm gonna damage that hook doing this. If anything, I might pull the support too far.

The hammer is out of the question for me, as the A/C condenser sits very close to it. I don't want to damage the condenser.

I'll report back when this is done...

YOu might be able to hit it from below. YOu might need to put a piece of wood inside the rad support to keep from collapsing it. All that sheet metal is pretty easy to move around with a big hammer but you have to be a bit careful not to move it too much. I wouldn't bother with the rope or come along....its too hard to control.

Update: I cut a piece of 2 x 3 and pounded downwards from above with a heavy log splitting hammer. Then I crawled underneath and pounded forward while again using a piece of wood. The support moved pretty easily; it only took about a half dozen blows and all was well. The belly pan is all ligned up again and screwed in, though the left portion of it has been torn off. I'll add that to my list of things to get...