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64 Posts
Hi all, thanks for the warm welcome, and I need help with my autobody repair work already! This is for a 94 Taurus GL 3.0 V6. It has collision damage to the front end, specifically passenger side.
One of the pieces I'd planned to replace was the radiator support. Mainly because the mechanic's estimate I got said I needed to. Tonight I pulled off broken pieces of header panel to get a closer look, and the damage is not as bad as I thought. It's mainly the piece of metal jutting out in the front that was attached to the header panel that got mangled. I saw no other denting or damage, looking at it from above and below. I took some pliers to it and tried to straighten it out some. I have photos of the results, as well as a photo of the intact driver's side.
Could anyone look at the photos and tell me, based on this part alone (I don't hold you accountable for advice on the whole support as you can't see it all) if I need a new support? Is it important to have a very straight edge here or will a slightly mangled one be functional? I want it to be a good repair job, but if it's a small problem I don't want to go overboard.
Admittedly I am disappointed at the thought of not replacing it. I was really looking forward to the welding! But the money I would save would make me feel a little better. I have the part on hold, not purchased yet.
http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/kisme...ator%20Support/
Thanks!
p.s. if you're interested in a more first hand look at the damage, I have a 6 minute video on youtube showing the car and my plans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3-Sm6h1bRg
One of the pieces I'd planned to replace was the radiator support. Mainly because the mechanic's estimate I got said I needed to. Tonight I pulled off broken pieces of header panel to get a closer look, and the damage is not as bad as I thought. It's mainly the piece of metal jutting out in the front that was attached to the header panel that got mangled. I saw no other denting or damage, looking at it from above and below. I took some pliers to it and tried to straighten it out some. I have photos of the results, as well as a photo of the intact driver's side.
Could anyone look at the photos and tell me, based on this part alone (I don't hold you accountable for advice on the whole support as you can't see it all) if I need a new support? Is it important to have a very straight edge here or will a slightly mangled one be functional? I want it to be a good repair job, but if it's a small problem I don't want to go overboard.
Admittedly I am disappointed at the thought of not replacing it. I was really looking forward to the welding! But the money I would save would make me feel a little better. I have the part on hold, not purchased yet.
http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/kisme...ator%20Support/
Thanks!
p.s. if you're interested in a more first hand look at the damage, I have a 6 minute video on youtube showing the car and my plans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3-Sm6h1bRg