Repair or Replace

[socor7]

Related to the Fender Bender Thread. Should I replace the whole front clip from door to door, or try and patch with Fiberglass.

More Pics at http://www.flickr.com/photos/socor7/

The upper Crack from inside the fender well, looks like it has been repaired before.

Any thoughts.

Thanks

Drew

 

[74bigblock]

From the pictures you have, it looks like you can remedy with a new fender grafted in and a new bumper cover.

 

[Yoda]

This is just my opinion

If it is covered by insurance, I'd opt for the front clip or at least front quarter. AND I would INSIST on it being put on a frame machine

If it has previous patching, I'd make sure this repair is done professionally with the bonding strips in the proper seam alignments Get it done right and you'll thank yourself later :dance

Bud

 

[socor7]

Well it is not covered under insurance, cause I figured my insurance company would total it if any thing happened, cause the book is so low, so I can liability with some extras stuff but no collision. So the insurance things is out. I noticed that one of the bolts in the wheel well has moved see picture.
This is where the bumper attaches to the frame, in side the wheel well. I did not notice any pulling when I finished driving it home, and it still tracked very well, not really any different then normal.

 

[Johan]

I'd say repair it (except for the front bumper). The crack should be no problem. The hole is a bit worse, but replacing the entire front clip...? That seems to be way too much work and $$$ for me.
Either a new fender (maybe you can cut out just the front part at a salvage yard?) or you'll have to build up the missing area with fiberglass. Should be no problem really, fiberglass work is not rocket science.

Will you be doing this yourself or a body shop?

 

[socor7]

Not sure I have the pics into a corvette shop here in Denver, trying to see how much it would cost to have them do it. I am pretty handy with my hands, just don't have any experience working with fiberglass, but I am willing to learn as I am sure the body work experience will help later on in my projects. Front clips door to door are like 1k and I would do the labor my self, and then prep and paint. Thanks for the sugesstions.

Drew

 

[Johan]

I should add that if the front bumper is fiberglass (i.e it has been replaced before) it can be repaired, but if it is the original urethane (rubber) you'll propably need to replace it as it will be brittle and fall apart as you try to repair it. At least mine was like that.

 

[socor7]

From the looks of it, it is fiberglass and has been replaced, not OEM. And I will probably be getting a new one, as it was peeling away from the other side of the car.


Does any one know of a good way to get the bumper mounts (pic above). back in line?


Thanks
Drew