how would you go about fixing this body damage

[garyd75]

im not looking to do a as factory but where the panels line up. ive got a used hood fender radiator batt tray air box and bumper already. I was thinking of 2 ways one with a hammer and tow strap and pry bar and beat it until its good or cut out the heavily damaged part by the radiator ,straighten the part the runs from the rad to the firewall which has the fender bolted to it and go to the junkyard and cut out the damaged portion from a damaged car and weld it in . I got the car cheap . has only 88k miles.
the frame rail looks straight and no other body damage is evident.

[pasadenahotrod03Dreamer]

It would probably be better to cut out the panel and replace it with a new one from a junker.
I spent an ungodly amount of time swinging several heavy sledges at damage much less severe than than to get the sheet metal installed correctly on the 02 Woodie I put together for a friend a year or so ago. All that wrinkled stuff is tremendously hard and strong.
I had to replace the battery box support, the tray itself , the air box as well.
When I was done I had about 1/4" clearance for the battery and rubber arms for a week or longer. There is very little room to swing a BFH in that area and not damage something expensive if you miss. Ha

[rob302]

does anyone have the measurement chart like this for a PT cruiser?

front end mustang dimensions.jpg

[ptprice]

Do a replacement with junk yard metal. You've already got all the other stuff! Your working with crumple area sheet metal. It's designed to protect your butt in an accident. That's a different breed of steel. I don't think any amount of "sledging" with a BFH'll do it. This should give you pretty good panel line up and the only way you'll return to decent measurements. Keep the Forum posted on your progress. It's a great shade tree project.

Good luck.

Happy PTin', ptprice

[rob302]

i agree. we've beat cars into shape and you look under the hood and see all the hammered up metal it looks like hammered up metal.

if you're in illinois, you can have the metal off my car free. imma cut it up anyhow once the weather gets warm.

[Busted_PT]

I would like to see some squared pictures of the PT straight on at the damage. Thes are to close to see overall relationship of the damage and the car. Another from the side bumper high showing entire front clip. I agree with the nix on the big hammer. At least not with out pulling with a (come along cable puller.) A big tree or telephone pole make a good post to pull from. Get a come-a-long. These are relatively cheap at places like Harber Freight. On line like eBay.

[rob302]

Busted do you know of anywhere else to get a large tree or telephone pole? I didn't find any at harbor freight

[Busted_PT]

Originally Posted by rob302

Busted do you know of anywhere else to get a large tree or telephone pole? I didn't find any at harbor freight

I put the come a long in the post originally. In parentheses now.

[Busted_PT]

Originally Posted by rob302

does anyone have the measurement chart like this for a PT cruiser?

Attachment 21222

This would be nice. But I've never had the pleasure. But they can cross measure as the repair it. But will need the messerment of the tie bar mounting holes to set the two sides at proper distance from each other. If I were fixing this. Being a pro. I would probably fix what is there. Maybe get the vertacal panel of the core support.

[garyd75]

thanks for the offer of the body panel but im in north Carolina.so that would be a long trip for me. ive removed some of the metal already. the 2 spot welds that hold the radiator support to frame rail were ripped off from the accident. Im going to the junkyard Friday and cut off 2 cars the same part I need so when im putting it together I have something to look at. I will post pics
the positive batt cable was damaged so I have to get a new one