Front Drivers side banged in. How hard to fix? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

winmutt · #1 07-25-2007, 07:37 PM

What kind of work does this take and anyone have an idea on how much$$$?

mechmagcn · #2 07-25-2007, 08:24 PM

With a big enough hammer and a little help from a Porta-power, and using a straight fender for guidance, it shouldn't be too bad of a job.

winmutt · #3 07-26-2007, 07:28 AM

bump. anyone else?

JackG · #4 07-26-2007, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechmagcn

With a big enough hammer and a little help from a Porta-power, and using a straight fender for guidance, it shouldn't be too bad of a job.

hell, back in the old days I would just use a tree and a tow chain

.

Should be do able, doesn't really look all that bad

rs899 · #5 07-26-2007, 07:45 AM

I agree- looks fairly easy and I know you haunt the Atlanta junkyards for fenders. Put a straight fender on her and pull/beat/add metal to meet it.

mechmagcn · #6 07-26-2007, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackG

hell, back in the old days I would just use a tree and a tow chain

.

Should be do able, doesn't really look all that bad

Boy, I haven't done that one in a long time

Tried that on a 64 VW Bug that met a ditch one night and made one run too many, snatched the right front suspension out of it.

winmutt · #7 07-26-2007, 10:52 AM

So a sledge hammer or large rubber mallet? Where would I put the portapower?

Mustang_man298 · #8 07-26-2007, 11:07 AM

I had almost finished a rather long detailed post yesterday for you on this, then my dang generator kicked off and the wifey had unplugged the puter from the UPS for some reason...-BLIP!-...DOH!

Anyway, it's not structural and should be easily fixed, I think a sledge would be a bit crude, and may do you more harm than good. Assuming you saw the car before the fender was removed, look at how the damage happened, front or side impact. Look at the metal and surrounding areas, and begin reversing it. First in=last out is the general rule. For the main part of that dent, I would put some mild pulling pressure on it and work it out with a hammer and dolly. I did a repair like this on mine, mine wasn't as deep as yours though, but did extend itself into the core support and fender apron by time I discovered all of the damage, it was a frontal impact only to the tip of the fender just above the headlight, but that was all it took. I'll send you a PM later, my ups battery doesn't have enough capacity in it to let me write it all out now, so I'll wait until the house is charged.(Off grid power system)

TX76513 · #9 07-26-2007, 11:15 AM

I like to rate repairs in hours - that looks like about 5

JimFreeh · #10 07-26-2007, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

I like to rate repairs in hours - that looks like about 5

I use # of beers.....

Jim

C Sean Watts · #11 07-26-2007, 01:36 PM

aforethought... DO NOT be tempted to attach a chain to a tree, etc. and the other end to the pumper mount and back up. DO use said chain and a come-along, winch, etc. one inch at a time. THEN go about 1/4" or so beyond where you perceive you need to be (account for stretch.) Rule of thumb, ne, THUMP in a body shop -- "'Tis better to work with a thousand taps than one crushing blow."

TX76513 · #12 07-26-2007, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

I use # of beers.....

Jim

Oh, then it would be a half rack

C Sean Watts · #13 07-26-2007, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

Oh, then it would be a half rack

Are we talking the real German money back 1/2 liter bottles???

winmutt · #14 07-26-2007, 02:05 PM

Thanks for all the feed back. I did not see the orignal fender, replacement is in the back of the car. The problem I have is that the frame (? its unibody so not really frame) where the top of the fender mounts is accordianed a bit and that is some thick metal. If I were to use a come along etc would I be pulling it back out the way it came or do I pull side to side to bend it straight? The sheet metal in the fender etc I am not so worried about. Also how do you keep the car from moving using a come along/winch? Chock up the tires etc?

Sbean · #15 07-26-2007, 04:19 PM

I recommend removing all light bulbs in the area before hammering on it. The filaments don't like that violent vibration. Steve