Hi All!

It's been awhile and glad to see the forum alive and strong, Here is my problem though.

My wife and I were rear ended over a year ago. Although the damage was mainly cosmetic to the bumper covering, it did cause a slight bend in the frame enough to prevent the rear door from opening. We don't have $3,500 dollars to pay a shop, and you know where this is going, I need ideas on how to get this straightened enough to at least get the door to open and close.

My thoughts, the bend is not that severe it turns out, but I was thinking a torch at the point where the frame is bent and leverage pulling up on the bumper at each side. Ideas?

 

It is hard to say what you should do without seeing the damage. Remember that the back hatch is fiberglass, so it could easily melt. Along with the bumper.

Honestly it should not cost too much to have them straighten/pull the frame so the door is usable, but again, it is hard to say without seeing the damage.

 

You could try the old backyard trick of attaching a chain to where the hit was made, throw it around a tree, and try to pull the dent out by driving away from the tree. The trick is attaching the chain to the pint of impact.

The other possibility is to rent one of those porta-power hydraulic rams to try to push out the dent. Again, this would assume you can brace the ram at the right places.

I guess you could not get any compensation from the guy who rear ended you, or his insurance company?

 

Have someone hold the handle up... Go inside and with a 2 foot 2x4 and a 3 lb sledge beat the door out at the bottom...It won't hurt the door ask me how i know..SHould open and then you can see why its sticking.


Dick

 

Hey thanks guys I will post picks of damage. BTW 99f350sd I like the idea but don't think my wife would ever let me out of the dog house with that approch..LOL!

 

Posted pics in my Album "Frame Damage"

 

Only way I know of getting it open without damage...Not a big deal..

 

Taking a look at the rear box section pushed forward, that implies that the rear hatch's strike is both pulled down, and tilted backward.

If he's successful in opening the hatch, I doubt any amount of force will close it again.

You're going to need to pull that box backward before you open the hatch.

 

I think if you do what I said it will open easy and then it can be looked at.. If it doesn't open easy then don't do it that way...IMO

 

Opening it might be easy. Closing it again . . .

 

Once you get it open you can see whats up and adjust as necc...piece o wood on the striker and bang down..

 

With what I see, the strike will have to be pulled up, not so easy to do. Pull hard, it'll rip the nut out of the beam.

 

Hi Guys

Been a nightmare of life changes. After your last post my wife and I decieded to take it to a frame shop and they said it would only cost $400 to pull it straight. I figured we'd just save up and get it done. Since then I've had to say goodbye to my loving wife after illness took it's toll, and now this project has become a goal in rememberance of her.

Thank you all for your help with this Aerostar as it was her baby and my joy to keep running. Ford Enthusiast members are one in a million and I could not have done any of this with out you guys.

 

So sorry to hear about your wife..That's really neat that you want to keep the aero running. We are here if you need us.



Dick

 

Our prayers are with you!


Good luck with your restoration project and keep us updated.