Thread: How expensive will this be to repair?

Just bought this tidy '89 Prelude, the only downside being it had obviously had a bump on the front. The front bumper was pushed in a bit and the bonnet wasn't quite closing properly, but both looked to be in good condition so I figured it just needed a little straightening out. Anyway, once I had the bumper off I realised that the front cross member was bent upwards, this had pushed up the bonnet catch and the plate that runs along the top of the radiator, which was causing my bonnet not to close.

I've put some pics of the damage below and want to get an estimate of how much it might cost to repair. Bear in mind, I'm just after the bonnet closing properly, I'm not worried if the cross member is out of shape, just want the car to look normal when it's assembled.
DSC02752a.jpgDSC02750a.jpgDSC02753a.jpg

I could also be interested in fixing it myself at home if it's going to cost more than $400 at the panel shop, but would like to know from others with experience what the best method is. My current idea would be to remove the radiator and stuff, jack the car up, put the cross member on blocks either side of the damaged area and then try hitting it with a sledgehammer. Any methods more elegant to offer?

try rope around a tree trick..work for me in the past..it will make it a little straighter..

hmm, may be a bit bogan lol, but what about heating it with a torch and gently hammering it back into shape?

Originally Posted by eg9hondata

try rope around a tree trick..work for me in the past..it will make it a little straighter..

BAHAHAH bloody hori!

The last cross member I have bent costed me $150 to fix.. but its done by asian..

Originally Posted by K20Rtune

.. but its done by asian..

Normally this would not concern me... But the fact you pointed it out, does

Originally Posted by Snapfrozen

Normally this would not concern me... But the fact you pointed it out, does

Lol, don't get me wrong. The job is done to a standard, but definitely will be no where near as good as the real professionals

Originally Posted by eg9hondata

try rope around a tree trick..work for me in the past..it will make it a little straighter..

As 2slow said, I can see how this would pull the cross member forward, but I need to bend it down.

Might see if the panelbeater is open on Saturday and get a quote, otherwise it will be getting some taps in the garage. Cheers for the help guys!

Well, I decided I couldn't wait and had a crack at it today. I jacked the car up and put hardwood blocks under the front cross member either side of the damage, then used another hardwood block as a dolly to hammer it down with a regular claw hammer. It didn't so much straighten the cross member as flatten it, but ultimately I was happy with the outcome as the bonnet now looks normal again.

A few tips for anyone thinking of doing the same thing, go really slowly when you're getting close to getting it right. I found that I started off slow, got my confidence up and got quicker until i overshot and the cross member was too flat. Impossible not knock it back up again, so I was a bit annoyed. Luckily I realised tip number 2: the bonnet latch is on slotted holes, so you can adjust it up and down. This means you don't have to get the cross member perfect, the final fit up can be achieved by adjusting the latch. Luckily for me adjusting the latch to the highest possible point saved the day.