Posted: 1/18/2011 4:14:30 PM EDT
| Anybody do some body work? I have a 2004 Toyota Corolla with some front end damage. Nothing beyond a cracked lower bumper, cracked grill and head light assemblys that the insurance paid for as well. Someone backed into the front and caused the damage. If theres nothing to the underlying frame would this be a simple bolt on type of installation or more involved? |
| It may be as simple as bolting things back on, or some of the supports that everything bolts to might have been shifted and needs to be pulled out. If the damage behind the panels are not obvious, the only way to tell is to fit all the parts. Just because there is no "frame damage" doesn't mean that some othe structure is not out of alignment. |
Sounds like a pretty low speed hit. I think you could do it. Everything is pretty well engineered for ease of assembly nowadays. The "bumper" is probably the bumper cover. A new one won't come painted. You may want to look for used parts. Those headlight assemblies are insanely expensive. 
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Quoted: Sounds like a pretty low speed hit. I think you could do it. Everything is pretty well engineered for ease of assembly nowadays. The "bumper" is probably the bumper cover. A new one won't come painted. You may want to look for used parts. Those headlight assemblies are insanely expensive. Yes to the part in red. Contact local junkyards or auto part salvage yards for what you need. Anything bought new usually comes primed but not painted. The grille and headlight should be as simple as a few screws/bolts. The bumper, as mentioned, is probably just a fiberglass or plastic cover over the real metal bumper. Typically bolts/screws hold it in. You may have to take out some other parts to get it completely off but no big deal. |
| Thanks, my wife has a cousin that does antique car restorations that would do it but I'd have to go out of town, which I'd rather avoid. I'll take a detailed look at it this weekend and see where every nut, bolt and screw is located and I'll check on what the parts would cost me. I have no problem taking it also to a body shop but my wife is big on giving work to the family, we'll see. |