Body repair help!

**dude2000_22222** · 04-27-2010, 04:12 AM

Ok, Earlier this year my car took a big hit in the back that forced me to replace almost the back half of the car including the right rear quarter panel. I actually don't think the inner fender was replaced just the outer. But after it was done the car sat about 1.5 to 2 inches lower on just the right back side. I have no idea what the deal is with that. Even if the inner fender was replaced is it possible they welded it that much higher? I have been running 2 different length springs for a good while now. I also believe it is causing some weird suspension issues making the car pull in random directions. My first thought is maybe it messed the perch up on the rear end, the spring sits on, but I didn't see any visible damage. Any help would be appreciated.

**bberretta** · 04-27-2010, 09:34 AM

Take that back- they obviously didn't straighten the body out correctly. There are very precise measurements that a car has to be pulled to and if they only did the job half-assed then you need to take it back and tell them to do it right.

**dude2000_22222** · 04-27-2010, 06:29 PM

They went outta business 2 weeks after I got the car back.

So no way to make them honor the warranty. I think I just got screwed I don't even want to know how much its going to cost to get someone else to fix their mess up.

**cammed goat** · 04-27-2010, 06:34 PM

Unfortunately, ya did get screwed. Sounds like a shoddy shop that was struggling and finally got put under.

**WhatUpWhatUp** · 04-27-2010, 06:40 PM

yep ya got screwed and they didnt straighten out your frame

**0rion** · 04-27-2010, 07:17 PM

all this done through insurance? What carrier? Sometimes if you went to one of their shops the warranty will be through the insurance carrier. Might not hurt to call them and see.

**sjsingle1** · 04-28-2010, 12:43 AM

man.......my 89 IROC got screwed.......it needed frame work.....hunted for the best place in town.....they did really a SUCKY half ass job.......then went out of business before i could make them do it right

**bberretta** · 04-28-2010, 04:51 AM

Originally Posted by 0rion

all this done through insurance? What carrier? Sometimes if you went to one of their shops the warranty will be through the insurance carrier. Might not hurt to call them and see.

^^^Orion's right- if your insurance covered it then they will want it done correctly in order to protect their investment (especially if you still have a car note on it!) Don't wait too much longer.

**dude2000_22222** · 04-28-2010, 04:55 AM

I was told by a GM body guy when I took it to them that our frames can't be pulled because it just consists of subframes. Is he just full of crap?

**bberretta** · 04-28-2010, 04:57 AM

Yep- full of crap. It's not so much the "frame" you're lining up but the unibody that has to be pulled back to the factory measurements. Look at the body lines at your door and fender- do they line up? I'm going to make a guess and say they don't.

**dude2000_22222** · 04-28-2010, 05:01 AM

Even though the car has been drove like this for a while is it going to permanently effect the frame? Can I still have it pulled back now? Its a vert car btw.

**bberretta** · 04-28-2010, 05:09 AM

You can still have it pulled back. Being a vert just means that there was less to keep the body from flexing in the crash. They should be able to put it on a frame machine and pull that thing back down. I know its a real PITA with T-Top and Verts just to get the tops to seal back, but if pulled correctly it'll be okay.

**dude2000_22222** · 04-28-2010, 05:11 AM

Well lets hope it is not super expensive thanks for the help.

**bberretta** · 04-28-2010, 05:43 AM

Good luck- post pics if you can.

**sjsingle1** · 04-30-2010, 04:57 PM

i am not a frame man...but i did work in a body shop.......frame work is not impossible......with the skill and tools a bent frame or uni body......can be pulled back into factory specs.......but the shop i worked at..........and the ones i have dealt with......do not desire to make the effort to do a good job

**jasonj** · 04-30-2010, 05:32 PM

I have body shop with a frame machine. The worst part about what your are describing is the quarter panel is fitted on the car with the frame bent . You probably can find body shop to set it up and pull it but your panel gap will be wrong . good luck.