pulling out crash damage

[LA1]

hi. my nephew was in a minor car accident with his 2006 dodge stratus. the front passenger side is pushed in slightly an the hood is buckled slightly. want to try and use a 2 ton pull back ram to pull it out and put on a new hood. I have 2 it trees and some chain. I will attach the ram to one tree where on the car should I attach the second chain to the other tree.

 

[CoogarXR]

We probably need pictures.

I have a feeling this won't be as easy as you think it will be. You can pull sheet metal (fenders, etc), but the thicker chassis and subframe metal just springs back when you pull on it. I was told you need to heat heavier metal when trying to straighten it.

I tried the redneck crash fix using a tree back in the day. I used a ratcheting come-along. I pulled the chassis out where I wanted it, and when I let the pressure off, it just sprung right back. Plus, the steel cord dug into the tree pretty deep (may have killed it, I moved away shortly after so I don't know).

I just ended up calling a friend-of-a-friend who owned a body shop to straighten it the right way.

 

[metaleltr]

There is likely a hook near the rear of the vehicle for transport tie down. Should provide adequate anchoring for pulling light damage.

 

[stonesg]

Are you talking about the sheet metal or the frame or both?

Don't forget that metal stretches when it's buckled and will never go back to the same shape. That's the magic of old school bodywork with dollys, spoons and hammers... they'd shrink as much of the dent as possible and then fill with lead ("Lead Sleds") and later bondo but as little as possible.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

There isn't much structure ahead of the struts,it should move easily, esp. if he missed using the bumper.

Try so spread the load and not just make a big opposite dent.

 

[engineer2]

I've done it using the HF Portable Hydraulic Ram kit. I used some boards against the firewall to spread the load out, and pushed a radiator support back out. As said, it wants to spring back, so go past a little bit if you can, but it might be tough to get it exactly right.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Please post some pics and I'll see if I can help.

 

[LA1]

I will be doing something like this

Plus, the steel cord dug into the tree pretty deep (may have killed it, I moved away shortly after so I don't know).

that's the cambium, its the only live part of the tree about 1 inch thick around the outside of the tree. I plan to cut 2x4's to place around the tree.

There is likely a hook near the rear of the vehicle for transport tie down

...aren't those only on imports? it has a Mitsubishi motor I think it was assembled here.

then fill with lead ("Lead Sleds")

I thought the lead was from the days before bondo?

I've done it using the HF Portable Hydraulic Ram kit

that's what I have , the 5 ton hydraulic kit and the 2 ton pull back ram. I had a 25% off coupon I used on the kit and the pull back ram was on sale. I got both for around $135.

Please post some pics and I'll see if I can help.

ok I just IM'd my nephew for a picture, I have some on my pc if he does not respond.



...any suggestions what part of the car to anchor to?


thanks for the replies

 

[metaleltr]

There should be some sort of hook or tie hole. They all get tied down for transport at some point

 

[Barrymaxx]

I typically fabricate brackets as needed to do pulls. In this case I would build something to attach to multiple points on the front subframe. Top of the strut tower on a mcPhearson car is pretty tough too, for lighter cosmetic pulls.

Then also make brackets for what you are trying to pull to keep it from deforming locally. You can use a portapower or a come along, or a truck if you are really winging it.

Make sure you have the new panels ready to go before you bull anything. If the hood hinges aren't twisted up I would mount the new hood and check the gap on the straight side. Then work the bent side to match.

If you need to pull something "Upwards" you can put a piece of wood under your cable or chain that you are pulling with. That way you introduce some upwards pull into your horizontal pull if you need it.

 

[toplessHO]

welding at multiple points get you a pull that will do it all at once

Ive seen some pretty amazing pulls done with glue tabs and cables lately
but without detailed pictures Im done adding to this

 

[kkroger]

T straighten Frame or subframe members or Unibody layered sheetmetal structural members you will need more than 2 Ton you will probably need more than 4 Ton and probably 10 Ton or more. you also have to have an idea of where to push and where to tie it down so you are "Pulling" by pushing...

 

[LA1]

pictures are on the way, my Nephew just got back from Huston last night and sent the pics. I just need to upload them , I forgot which site I am using now that photo bucket started to charge. Should be this weekend. so what sites do you use for photo sharing?

 

[LA1]

HERE are the pictures. they are not the best. I would have liked at least one pic of the whole front end clip. you have to click on each pic to see it. he also held his phone vertical. why do people do that I see so many people take pics like that. its like holding a 35mm camera vertical, LOL

 

[captain14]

I don’t see any pictures. I only see the little boxes.

 

[LA1]

you have to click on the little box with the "x" to see the pictures

 

[toplessHO]

I dont even see the boxes

 

[James-W]

No boxes that I can see.

 

[C_F]

LA1, check out how to upload photos to this site HERE, post # 42. Hope that helps.