Just found chassis damage in RA40...great!

**Jusepi** · 27-08-2008, 07:12 PM

As the title says, I just found chassis damage in the front of the car imediately behind the drivers side bumper bar mounting point (the mounting point within the engine bay).

The chassis leg has collapsed and moved 3-5 cm towards the back of the car. surprisingly you cannot see it from outside or even under the car but, when I removed the front end today (painting) I found the damage (it was hidden inside by some of the headlight wiring loom.....

I checked this thing for chassis damage before buying it and now feel like an idiot...the car's instantly rubbish now and not worth moving forward with!

The car is a RA40 which I have spent nearly $3000 on in the past 6-7 months (bought for $950 is crap shape but engineered)

The engine is an 18rg which is in fine order. I just installed new shocks/springs and tyres and and and.

So, what to do? I imediately thought of buying another 40 and reshelling the car. But perhaps I should look at a ta22 or something a touch more atractive lol... Obviously the engine and trans would bolt in to most other celica's but, I dare say everything else wouldn't (springs/shocks, 14x7 inch wheels, and of course the interior).

I know which would be cheaper (RA40) but if I'm going to go to the effort of, let's face it, rebuilding a car...

Thoughts, and or possible solutions? Anyone here been in the same boat?

**Talasas** · 27-08-2008, 08:14 PM

Not been in the same boat but I've seen cars you would imagine as scrap be straightened out like new again. With the right tools it is possible. What you're looking for is a place that has the 3D digital chassis straightening tools where they measure datum points on the car and straighten them out accordingly. Get yourself a quote and go from there, I won't lie to you, it won't be cheap but you never know.

**Golberg** · 27-08-2008, 09:31 PM

3-5 cm is nothing in the world of auto body repair, any decent panel shop should be able to put the car up on a car-o-liner or something equivalent and use a hydraulic puller arm just straighten it out.

**Jusepi** · 27-08-2008, 09:44 PM

Thanks guys, I'll get some quotes from local panel shops and see what can be done...

**30psi 4agte** · 27-08-2008, 10:07 PM

I was thinking the same ...... it should be easily fixable.
Can you see it easily/ can you post pics.

**Baconer** · 27-08-2008, 10:10 PM

Ah i know the feeling. I bought a Skyline about 2 years ago and for the first 12 months I thought it was perfect until i noticed small 'pooling' section for rain water just above the SMIC. Looked around a bit more and noticed fresh bolts around this section and a slight difference in the angle of one of the bars along the headlight, turns out the car would of been in a minor head on and pushed the front corner in. Not chassis damage but I know the empty feeling your talking about.

Main reason i'm posting here is that im after a car destined for the wreckers in the ACT or surrounding areas. If you don't end up going ahead with the chassis straightening I would be interested in buying the car (without engine, g/box and most interior). Let me know if your interested

All the best with the panel shops aswell

**Jusepi** · 28-08-2008, 08:04 PM

Okay, feeling better now! had a panel beater look at it and he laughed. Aparently because the only affected area is the bumperbar (all other geometry seems symetrical side to side), he said just put up with a crooked bumper or chock it out lol.... nothing realy serious! (will get a second opinion to confirm...perhaps 3)

**infotechplus** · 28-08-2008, 08:10 PM

That's good news for you. Good luck with your project.

Cheers,

Peter

**tomvale13** · 28-08-2008, 08:16 PM

yeah, great news considering how severe you thought it may have been.

**oldcorollas** · 28-08-2008, 08:29 PM

cut n shut the bent bits?

works for skylines, silvias and geminis when you cut them down the middle

**30psi 4agte** · 29-08-2008, 12:35 AM

Well if it is that minor im sure a decent panel beater could fix it,,,,,, i mean a "good" panel beater can fix pretty much anything!

Im lucky enough to know a panel beater who is into hot rods........ Now you try finding a decent panel for a 1932 A model!! they all need fixing yet he seems to do it no prob..... And im talking ALL STEEL no bog.

As they say.."its not what you know but ..... who you know"