Dark Lightning

I started a new thread because it's sufficiently off-topic from the last one. That and I've calmed down just a little since last night.

Alright, ~25-30mph impact on front driver corner. Front bumper support jammed backwards into the frame causing mild buckling.

http://64.135.14.163/images/view_pho...ER&id=IMG_1138

http://64.135.14.163/images/view_pho...rk&id=IMG_0716

Skip the intercooler mount, that didn't seem to be effected. I'm talking about where the frame is slightly crushed from the impact. Note the flecking paint on the frame, and then compare left to right. I'll try to get the front clip off today and get better pictures.

Bottom line, can I fix / correct this damage?

Swedeboy

Looks like a pretty easy repair - try getting a quote from a bodyshop or (ideally) an independent Porsche shop if you can't do it yourself. If you're in luck you might find boardmembers with spare bodywork already in the correct color.

The car sounds like a keeper to me - don't dump it because you've had a bit of bad luck.

poormans9fitty1

OK...I just went through this entire process. I crushed the front of my car in a field about 7 months ago. I thought just as you that it was over. Mine was much worse than yours. I was going about 45 when i went off a 5 ft drop and hit a hill. I bent the right frame rail and tore the front and all the underbody pieces right off. I damaged a lot of mechanicals as well. That being said, i have done too much research for this. Alright, the one thing i would be worried about would be the gap in between yoour hood and fender. That doesnt look too good. If you can figure out what caused that, that would be great. Second, does it drive straight. It should because the frame piece that got bent or pushed in has no effect on the driving of the car because it is in front of the wheels. You could just pound it back as much as possible and get the bumper straight enough to fit the front end correctly. Is your front end cracked or damaged? If it isnt too bad, check out some companies that repair them. Then look into a fender. Your problem is very minor. I spent under 4k with cuting in a new piece of frame, replacing radiator, all hoses, ps under bracket, ps pump, oil cooler and lines, timing belt, water pump, all the front seals, fans, ps lines, and the list goes on forever. I also replaced the front end and fogs.But i did all this myself except for the frame piece. And you dont have that problem. Now you could look into new stuff or used. That could save you a lot. And since you have no mechanical damage, you could drive it till you fix it. Just watch out for rusting. Do it yourself. It really isnt that hard. Just coming up with the money for it. So good luck and if you need any help just pm me.
-Derek

Tom Carson

this stuff is on ebay all the time:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW

just asked the seller to sawsall the part you need and put it in a box

Peckster

Was this a police chase, or what?

poormans9fitty1

no, my brake amplifier failed.

Dark Lightning

Fresh batch of pictures minus front clip: CLICK HERE

Ones of note:
A. Bumper mount.
B. Crushed bodywork beneath driver headlamp.
C. Seperated seam.
D. But for the most part everything is straight.

I think the driver-quarterpanel-&-hood distance (in this picture) was due to the quarterpanel warping outwards plus a little bending of the lower fenderwell.

Thoughts?

johne

John,
Your picture links don't work.


Regards,
John

Dark Lightning

Yeah, I need to kick the server. My apologies.

Dave951M

I had similar damage to my car. It's almost completed, but yes, you can do this yourself if the frame isn't tweaked. I crushed the ds fender, tore the bumper cover, crushed the ds headlight, and tweaked the header panel. Also bent the wheels on the driver side.

You might also want to look at your wheels to make sure they are still straight.

Dark Lightning

Well, I had a certified frame shop check it out and they quoted me around $2000 minus parts since I told them I could find them online.

The big ticket items are:
Plus paint and yada yada. Catch is I think some of these numbers are pretty exagerated. I'm going to try to do as much of the labor as possible for them but I don't know how good I'd do at drilling out spot-welds. I consider myself a pretty decent mechanic but I hate screwing up on stuff that's permanent.

Dark Lightning

I know the bumper, bumper skin, header panel, and quarter panels are different between a 944 and a 951, but are 944 and 951 front clips the same in terms of inner structure?

Dave951M

I don't think so because of the intercooler mounts. Drilling out spot welds isn't hard, there are special bits just for that purpose at any place that sells body working supplies. Keep at it, you can do the work and save big $$.

WesM951

I just went thru the same thing, althou i think mine is/was a lil worse. I bent the passenger side frame rail in and crushed the oil filter. I ended up replacing the header panel, front mask, driver side fender and paint. It was all professinally done because if i would of done it , it still wouldn't be done.

By looking at those figures, i don't really want to know what my total bill is going to be.. oh welll at least i'll have my baby back

Dark Lightning

****** UPDATE ******

So the car is now in the body shop. Just came off the frame rack today and they were able to easily pull everything straight without replacing the radiator support. The hood was ruled to be ok but the driver fender, front bumper skin, and the driver headlamp housing & cover are all being replaced with factory new parts. The header panel is also being replaced but I'm pretty well set on using an AIR vented nose.

The entire front end has been sanded down as well as the driver door in preperation for paint blending. I'll have my baby back in the near future.

I'll have current pictures on Monday.