Speaking of Car repairs...

[surrealchereal]

Here's one I need I've never ran into. I bet it was from the accident I had a couple years ago and is just showing it's ugly smile.
Under the hood below the windshield that metal stuff (I'm not literate to the terminology sorry), that is like the main support for the front of the car. It has a big crack, about 12 inches horizontal. The kid that installed my stereo pointed it out, looks like the motor might have to come out to fix it. Can anyone guess as to how much something like that might cost? I love the car and I'm getting it fixed, (oh no such luck the at the time soon to be ex-husband sent me to a body shop not authorized by Allstate, and the agent, an old friend of his never once mentioned this to me. so no warranty on the repair from Allstate and the body shop is gone now.) But I would hate to pay 5,000 for something that should be 1800.

and because the spell checker is gone snif snif**

[This message has been edited by surrealchereal (edited 05-29-2001).]

[RobRich]

If I read the above correctly, it appears you have a crack in the firewall between the engine and passanger compartments. This should be a simple matter to resolve, assuming the firewall is standard sheetmetal with no body bracing mechanisms in the affected area. If it is just a standard sheetmetal firewall, then a quick weld should take care of the job. However, the process may require removing the engine depending on how far down the firewall the crack is.

If I remember right, don't you drive a later model Ford. If so, then engine removal is definitely not a fun task, so expect to spend some money. However, I believe even $1800 would be way too much for this type of service. Then again, repair rates are likely much cheaper here in TN as compared to Cali.

Robert Richmond

[surrealchereal]

Rob! You're good man! Yes, that's the word firewall. It `s low enough that you can hardly see it the motor probably needs to come out.

The bottom line: I'd probably dump this vehicle.
Wah!!! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif no way dude! This vehicle is a 98 and it's paid for. They don't make em anymore I can't replace it! The entire frame was replaced when it got broke. It's got one of those frames in pieces. Not like in the good ole days.
1998 Ford Contour SVT LOADED with everything you can get, and if you're not a Ford type o guy the SVT stands for "Special Vehicle Team" As in vroom vroom go fast. 24valve overhead cam 200 horsepower 5 speed, does 130 like its 75, for hours. (been there done that one night in Georgia) redlines at 145. It's got the Contour Body,, that's where it ends. Skirts, leather interior a kick **** sound system, Z rated tires, (they do make a difference I tried the cheaper ones).

heh heh, uh it's also turned out to be quite the dude magnet. Dump it? No way. It's the first car I have ever loved! I even have to keep it clean because every one stares at it wondering what it is.... You don't see many on the road. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by surrealchereal (edited 05-29-2001).]

[surrealchereal]

The firewall is the main vertical structural diaphragm in the front of the car & absorbs all sorts of complicated forces. A crack in the very center is not as serious in that respect, but anything remotely close to the edges is trouble.
That makes sense, and yes the crack runs horizontal on the drivers side, not in the middle. Thanks for the clear explanation of the kind of repair that needs to be done, I can use that info (got the picture) to talk intelligently with body shops now. (whew, and that's a tough one for me as I'm sure you've noticed. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif) It would be a body shop right? But then my mechanic needs to get involved too right?
Any price parameter guesses?

[surrealchereal]

Wah!, and the original repair was 11,000.
Thanks I will pursue that direction.

[surrealchereal]

What's a "mig" welder?

[surrealchereal]

WOW And I just thought those things were big soldering irons! Cool! I mean that. Boy I bet it'd be fun to have one of those! hmmmm. Thanks for the detail, you painted a great picture in my mind http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[surrealchereal]

very funny,,,
Although I did mention his daughter wanted a swimming pool and now she can have it!
My mechanic dresses like a banker or a high ranking memeber of the Mexican Maffia. We are talking WHITE cotton dress shirts pressed at the cleaners, and gold chains.
And yes I tease him about it too.

[Ed_S]

This is the car that was T-boned & blew the airbags, right?
The force of a set of bags exploding often breaks up the entire instrument panel. I tend to wonder if this contributed to the crack you've got now.

...sent me to a body shop not authorized by Allstate, and the agent, an old friend of his never once mentioned this to me. so no warranty on the repair from Allstate and the body shop is gone now.)
I'd still contact them. Did they make the check payable to you AND the shop, or you alone, then you paid the shop?
Were the repairs done according to Allstate's estimate?
Was Allstate the other guy's ins co, or your's? From your description of the accident (elsewhere) HIS ins was responsible and yours didn't even need to be involved.
Regardless, if the problem is DEFINATELY accident-related, and the car could be considered unsafe, you should have some recourse available.


I had the Contour about 3 months. I got T-boned by a guy doing about 45. His car was a little car too, but hey 45? I did not move. The air bag blew, the seat belt locked, next thing I knew I was 2 lanes and a different direction from where I started. The car buckled so badly the windows on the other side blew and those doors were hard to open for me to get out.

I know you love the car, but this happened when it was 3 months old, right? The car should have been replaced by the guy's ins - they were still avail then!

Done's done, though. The repair Cadd described sounds exactly right. It'll be EXPENSIVE, and many shops will shy away from it due to the previous repair. Whoever does it needs to know as much as possible about the original damage & repair in order to do a good job.
No matter what, have someone competent look at it SOON with two key things in mind: Is it safe? Will continued driving make it substantially worse or unsafe?

If either is "yes" you should consider parking it, or at least use it as little as possible, and use extra caution.

Hopefully it's not that bad & can be done reasonably.

[surrealchereal]

I haven't mentioned the front quarter panel is getting a dent for no reason.

Thanks for your advice. You don't know how much this kind of thing gives me strength.
Sometimes I just get so sick of fighting the world. I really needed that.
But I was at fault in the accident they said.

[struggles]

The car should have been replaced by the guy's ins - they were still avail then! .

No question about it. In an accident such as you described, that car should've been totaled. If you are still finding things wrong with it, I would consider going after the said insurance co. for a brand spankin new ContourSVT. BTW, great taste in cars!!

[This message has been edited by struggles (edited 05-31-2001).]

[Ed_S]

Further food for thought:
some moron in a '64 Dodge is gonna pull out right in front of you. PANIC STOP!

Could be a kid on a skateboard instead!
Chilling thought, huh.

I hadn't thought of the brake booster/ master cylinder issue! Have it looked at ASAP! Like today!

Be EXTREMELY CAREFUL if this car must be driven!! Go very s-l-o-w in residential areas, and keep in mind that IF the brakes fail, use the emergency brake!!

[surrealchereal]

Done's done, though. No matter what, have someone competent look at it SOON with two key things in mind: Is it safe? Will continued driving make it substantially worse or unsafe?
thanks for the alarm guys, but I do believe insurance companies total a car when the damage is more than 50% of the value of the car. and 11,000 wasn't it. Unfortunately the sticker was about 24 or 25. I paid about 19.9 for it. It has 4 wheel disk brakes on it. I never drive fast in a residential area. The dent on the quarter panel is indeed where we would expect it with your comments, I am watching it get deeper, but it started over a year ago and I have put about 25,000 miles on it since then. They replaced the entire frame with the accident repair. But I am going to take it to another body shop tomorrow based on your comments. I'd rather spend 3 grand and have it right than 2 and not. Thanks - I mean that.

[Ed_S]

Glad to hear you're getting it looked at quick! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif And I really DO hope we're wrong with the "doom & gloom" predictions, but you need to know what you could be dealing with.


BTW, (and I'm not trying to dispute you) I'm guessing the b/s told you the frame was replaced, right? Just so you know, the Contour is a unibody construction vehicle. This means that the entire sheetmetal structure is an intregral supporting unit. They may have been refering to the front subframe, but there IS no actual front-to-back frame as there is with body-on-frame construction.
And even if they DID replace every part of the unibody, (not possible for $11K), Ford does not sell the unit preassembled. Trust me on that one, I've been in Ford parts 25+ yrs. You can't get it that way, period. The shop had to assemble it & do the welding AND ALIGNMENT of each and every little piece. One misstep or poor weld, and the integrity of the whole thing has been compremised. If you'd like, Monday I could fax you an exploded view of the body structure so you'd REALLY know how many pieces it is!

Even the roof is structural, believe it or not. Mustang convertibles have TONS of braces which don't exist on the hardtop versions.

Regarding the brakes - no matter what type brakes it has, disk or drum, the pressure which operates them originates at the master cylinder, which is what we're worried about, and then goes to each wheel. If it fails, or the structure supporting it gives way, you've got no brakes. That's why I reminded you about the E-brake, which is cable operated and is independent of the master cyl. But it operates the rear brakes ONLY, therefore has MUCH less stopping power.

Well, I didn't mean to ramble on this much, but the more you know about it the better right now!

Ed

[nunyadam]

Unfortunately I would have to agree with were this problem seem's to be heading. that dent in the fender is caused by the unit body bending due to the crack. sooner or later it is going to give way . if you go out and check your tire wear I would bet it is uneven on that side. as the frame bend's (dent get's worse) it will change the alignment of the front end. I would imagine it pull's a little to one side .(this change would be gradual as the problem progress's so you may not have noticed.)Try driving it across a level parking lot(empty)at a low speed with your hand's off the wheel.
I wonder how many of those go fast goodies you could transfer to a standard contour. if possible you could buy one with a blown engine real cheap and move your part's over.
might not look quite the same ,but i alway's did love building sleeper's.
you know car's that look like they couldn't get out of there own way that just totaly screem.(I used to have a pinto wagon that would eat stock camaro's for lunch but that is another story.)
it would be nice if you can save it ,but if not find those horse's a new home!

good luck
nunya

[surrealchereal]

if you go out and check your tire wear I would bet it is uneven on that side.
I have been thinking about that and looked at that tire a couple days ago.

No it doesn't pull at any speed.
with a blown engine real cheap and move your part's over. all but the sunroof, even the skirts would go. but alas, I'm alone. I wish I did, use to, but now I aint got the cajones to try. sigh...

[This message has been edited by surrealchereal (edited 06-01-2001).]

[surrealchereal]

tee hee http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif
and gee I can fix or repair most anything!

[This message has been edited by surrealchereal (edited 06-01-2001).]

[surrealchereal]

Mindreader, just didn't have the nerve to say
"Fix Or Repair Daily!
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[madfish]

surrealchereal
Hehehehe. I thought that was "found on road dead" Madfish

[surrealchereal]

You laugh all ya want
as you inhale my exhaust.....
heh heh

[madfish]

lets see, 426 with a super, in a `cuda. I think not!

[madfish]

surrealchereal
anyhow, I hope everything works out for you with your wheels, you have a nice ride there.. Madfish