Front frame rail - repair or replace?

[_Russ_]

Discovered a little while ago that my Challenger had been in a prang at some point in it's life: Right side, front rail.






The car had a makeover and new paint job around the year 2000, so I'd say the prang that caused this is the reason. Car feels to handle perfectly fine or general driving, and already has some upgraded suspension parts, but I'd really like to get a little more serious in that regard starting with some Hotchkis Upper Control Arms - before I go spending that kind of $ I really need to get the frame repaired to be sure I get the full benefit of the upgrade.

Repro frame rails are available so that is an option, however despite the damage to the frame there appears to be no rust in it, so I'd really like to keep the original intact if possible.

I'd appreciate thoughts from anyone that has been in a similar position. Should I repair or replace? Plus's pr minus's to either coarse of action?

Cheers 

[Topcat]

You need to get the car on a jig and get it checked out to make sure it's not out of tolorance.
By the looks of it, looks off.   

[72cudamaan]

 A  "prang" ?     Either way, I agree it needs to be fixed. Have the frame checked and repaired if possible.
That's a whole lot easier to fix with less extra damage in the end. I didn't see any creases in the picture.

[_Russ_]

A  "prang" ?   

Hahaha sorry. Prang = accident.

[elitecustombody]

Ouch! That appears to be way under by the firewall . I'd find a shop that is willing to set it up on a frame rack and take some measurements. It looks repairable,but most likely motor,K-member would have to come out to get good access for repair.

[_Russ_]

Ouch! That appears to be way under by the firewall . I'd find a shop that is willing to set it up on a frame rack and take some measurements. It looks repairable,but most likely motor,K-member would have to come out to get good access for repair.

The position of the damage is directly between the rear of the front wheel and arch. Don't even have to get under the car to see it.



Stopped by a shop yesterday and they threw it up on the hoist for a close look. They believe they can get it straightened without the need to pull the engine. They'll take the wheel and inner/outer fender off, but that should be enough. There aren't any defined creases, which means there should be no need to cut/replace a section once straightened.

Looking over it and up close once up on the hoist, it's a very odd bend. The damage is isolated to the frame. The fender is still the original fender (body stamps match anyways), and appears untouched - not even the hint of any kind of repair. Same goes for the inner fender. There's no way it was a collision with another car.

It's booked in a fortnight from today.

[hemiken]

That damaged section looks like something it it very low to make it fold over the way it has very weird, but the pabel shop should be able to sort that out pretty easy in fact.

[Jesus H Chrysler]

Does it look like the tire or rim lines up with the crease when you turn the wheel to full right lock? Guessing by the location and form of the crease, I'd say that the wheel may have been at full right lock when it hit something going forward.  That would cause the wheel to over travel and contact the frame.  Have you had any issues with the front end?  Funky steering or shaking?

[GranCuda1970]

That squirrel must have hit hard!!!

[TreeFrog]

That squirrel? Must have been a capybara!

[_Russ_]

Does it look like the tire or rim lines up with the crease when you turn the wheel to full right lock? Guessing by the location and form of the crease, I'd say that the wheel may have been at full right lock when it hit something going forward.  That would cause the wheel to over travel and contact the frame.  Have you had any issues with the front end?  Funky steering or shaking?

It does line up, and that's exactly what the guy at the shop suggested. Obviously doing a decent speed and has come into contact with something - kerb, pothole etc - and that's forced the wheel/tyre back onto the frame with some oomph.

There are zero steering issues however. Handles fine. No wobbles, shakes, tracking etc. You'd never know it was there by driving it. I only noticed it when it was up on a hoist a few months ago getting a once-over before an interstate trip. Looked up and said "what the ...."

[jimynick]

That's not that easy a dent to repair, at least not cleanly. I shouldn't be surprised if the lads have to take the torsion bar and header off that side, as well, if they have to window it to repair it. There's a new heavy shim pulling system out recently that I believe is called the Perfect Pulling system. I've seen it work on heavy rocker panels and it was amazing. Basically, there are pointed one inch wide shims that have a !' slot in the middle of them. You use the proprietary spot welder and put them every 1/8" in the dent; then a hardened rod is put through the slot and attached to a pull yoke. The rod pulls on the deepest shim first and as the dent comes out, the rod begins to pull on the rest of them until they are pulled out flat. No cutting windows and the smallest ding can be picked up. Check it out.