Arguhhh,it Happened, I Got Hit!!

[wpurple]

No word on axle or torsion bar, but then again, they didn't include the fog lights either. The body shop stated that the adjuster will be back at least one more time.

I guess now that I had time to digest the whole situation, it isn't all that bad as it could have been much worse, but it just hurts more when it's your vehicle.

 

[MONMIX]

sounds like the shop is taking good care of you.
Dont forget to take care of your techs'

 

[wpurple]

Well, I stopped by the shop Friday with a dozen donuts and some munchkins. Just walked in and told the manager that this just a sign of appreciation for taking care of my vehicle. He was appreciative of it and I left.
Afterwards, I think it was a great idea.

The only good thing about the rental car, is I am avoiding getting my Mountaineer dirty with all the snow we have been getting here in CT

I will try to get some interm repair piks this coming week, the manager stated they are almost half way thru the repair. I hate to get it all nicely painted then head out into the salt.

Wonder if it makes sence to keep it out of the salt on fresh paint????

 

[MONMIX]

Wonder if it makes sence to keep it out of the salt on fresh paint????

If they have a paintbooth ( and they should ) it will be cured pleanty well enough by the time you drive it home.

That being said, salt is no friend to any paint. I would get some protectant sooner rather than later.

 

[MONMIX]

btw I am going to move this to the body work section since it is about body work
( go figure )

 

[wpurple]

Should I wait until I wax it? I thought you shouldn't wax "new" paint....

Should be ready the end of this week, beginning of next..just in time for a new layer of salt on the road

 

[MONMIX]

yeah, like I said as long as they bake it in the paint booth you will be fine.

 

[wpurple]

MONMIX: One last question;
My truck was suppose to be ready today, but they said it would have to go on the frame machine again to straighten out the torsion bar as it was 1/2" out and couldn't do the alignment.
Once on the frame machine, and "bent" back to factory specs, will that be equal to a vehicle that never was hit? Or will it be more susceptible to going out of alignment?

 

[MONMIX]

MONMIX: One last question;
My truck was suppose to be ready today, but they said it would have to go on the frame machine again to straighten out the torsion bar as it was 1/2" out and couldn't do the alignment.
Once on the frame machine, and "bent" back to factory specs, will that be equal to a vehicle that never was hit? Or will it be more susceptible to going out of alignment?

No, here is the quick ditty on pulls.
The vehicle is pulled up on the machiene and clamped / chained into place.
Measurements are taken to find out where the vehicle IS and then compaired to a spec sheet to find out where it need to be.
When all said and done all under body measurement should fall with in factory allowable tollerances. Once the frame numbers fall into place the alignment numbers will fall into place.

It is not VERY out of the ordianry to find out that you need a pull this late in the process, but I do wonder why it was missed.

 

[wpurple]

Could it be because they saved doing the alignment for last? I know that they needed a camber kit and were waiting for it. (I think that is what they said the kit was called to complete the alignment)
The new upper control arm is a little different from the factory one on the other side.

 

[wpurple]

Well, finally got the truck back!
I am over all satisfied with the work, I would put the fit at 95% inregards to the fit between the hood/fenders and doors.
Paint was matched very well.

A suppliment apprasal was just under 3K, making the whole damage just shy of $7500 plus another $1200 for the rental. (ouch)

The body shop said that the rack might need to be changed as it may have been damaged, they couldn't duplicate a shutter in the stearing so I am playing that one by ear. Geico can come back and pay for that if needed at another time.

My Fuel pressure gauge no longer works, so that will need to be fixed by me, the piller came off in the accident and a wire might have been sheared.
Tomorrows project. <sigh>

 

[MONMIX]

yeah alignment is always last.

I am glad you are pleased. Thank your tech's !!!!!

 

[south59]

glad to hear you got it back! how long did the whole ordeal last?

 

[wpurple]

Took a month for the truck to get fixed.
Today was the first real day of driving it. My fuel pressure gauge for the SC was not working, I ordered another from Summet Racing for tomorrow delivery as it must have been damaged during the accident. The piller did come flying off and hit the stearing wheel and then me. (the body shop said they will give the bill for the gauge to Geico for payment...awesome since the gauge is $200)
The truck does pull slightly to the left, will have the body shop check that out.
They replaced the horn, now it sounds like an old buzzer, will have to have that changed. (It sounds that awful)

My only complaint is although the repair was done top notch, I will always know that underneath the skin, it was damaged. You can see where they had to heat the snot out of the lower control arm mount and the torsion bar mount to bend it back to shape.

There is also a bit more road noise coming through the upper door area, maye the door was skewed just enough to allow a gap for some air turbulance.