Fender bender...please help

[oz16us]

believe it or not, but this is my forth accident that wasn't my fault. This is the first time I got into an accident with another vehicle. The other times, the person just dented my vehicle and took off. I'm luck despite this being the first time, it's minor...still, I have a $1000 deductible...

Anyway, as you can see from the pics, I have a fender bender accident. I think if I can figure out how to replace the bumper myself, I should be okay. As you can see, behind the bumper, there is a grill that needs to be replaced. I was told that it comes as 1 assembly. Does anyone have instructions on how to do this with regular tools? Thanks for your help

pics are in the link below
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/awhi12ftvkspk3i/AADReZO4N0701zF0ccnCF5p0a

 

[Limited02]

Can't see the pictures?

 

[oz16us]

Can't see the pictures?

sorry, i updated it. Please check again. Thanks

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Sorry, can't see the pictures. So you need the header panel and bumper cover?

 

[Limited02]

Sorry, can't see the pictures. So you need the header panel and bumper cover?

Make sure you select the link in the first post.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Ok, pictures worked this time. You have $1k deductible for comp.? Holy hell. Well from what I can tell from the pictures is that the bumper cover, bumper brace, foglight, foglight bracket, fender, header panel and marker light are pretty destroyed. The frame, frame horn tab and more than likely the suspension/ steering are tweaked as well as the frontend itself being shoved over. Look at the body gaps for the hood. If this is the case then you have well over $1k in damage.

I've been in autobody for over 20 years, my neighbor/ landlord is a body frame guy that has a shop behind his house and I help him out on occasion so you have more damage than you think.

The easy stuff to fix would be the complete frontend (body panels, header panel, lights, bumper parts but straightening the frame, unibody inner fenders/ rad support and suspension/ steering is where it gets tricky for the average guy to fix. Your best bet is to go to the local junkyards and scout out either a '01-03 Explorer Sport (2dr) same front end as the '01-05 Sport Trac. Also look on craigslist around your region, not just your local city for parts, parts vehicles, etc...

I'll do some searching to try and track down parts to help out.

 

[oz16us]

I'm glad u were able to see the pic. I was quoted about $1900 in repairs, but I still have to pay my $1000 deductible plus $85 for the tire. Do really think I have frame damage? The guy at progressive didn't think so. ill be going to firestone to find out whether my steering is damaged or just needs realignment. I'll keep u all updated. My main question is for now is...whats behind the driver headlight? It is a headlight bracket or is it part of the bumper. I want to know is it slightly lower than the passenger headlight ..,I appreciate the help

 

[MidnightRebel07]

From what I can see in the picture you do have minimal frame damage to atleast the from horn tab (mounting bracket for the bumper). The part that you're asking about is called the headlight header panel, it's not a bumper, it's a fiberglass part that holds the headlights and grill on the frontend. Why do you have to pay for the tire separate, that should be included in the adjusters estimate if it was damaged in the accident. Progressive is one of the worst insurance companies for shorting you on repair cost and over charging. Don't be fooled by their commercials.

 

[oz16us]

it sounds like this is definitely not an easy DIY then right? I was thinking that maybe all I needed was a bumper, turn signal housing and fender. I was even thinking to just get a bumper cover and just put it over the bent bumper.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

You could do that, you need the header panel though to mount the turn signal so it's still very DIY if you don't mind having a bent bumper, no foglight on that side and less strength for the next hit. Comes down to money and ability to DIY.

 

[oz16us]

so i came back to have the suspension checked by tires plus (i have a lifetime alignment warranty). They aligned the driver wheel slightly and said that it's drivable but it should pull a little to one side. It's really even noticeable so far (they tend to make a big deal out of nothing sometimes).
Anyway, I will look into getting a header panel...hopefully they're cheap and easy to install. Do you think it's possible to install a used bumper cover onto the actual bent bumper? I don't mind the truck having a few scars (it gives it some character).

 

[MidnightRebel07]

You could probably just pop the bumper cover back out into shape, it won't be pretty or perfect but it'll save you a good chunk of change. It's easy to replace the frontend pieces with just regular hand tools. To make the cover pop back into shape easier remove it leave it in your house where it's warmer or take a blow dryer to warm up the plastic so that it conforms back easier. Yes you can place the cover over the bent bumper brace (too bad you're in Fl. I have mine sitting out beside my carport, didn't want to scrap it because I figured someone locally would need it eventually).

 

[oz16us]

ok I feel a little better. So replacing a header panel is easy? I know how to take out the headlights. Does it require removing the entire bumper or just the bumper cover? Thank you

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Remove the front bumper cover, headlights, marker light (LOL), then remove the header panel. It's just a couple bolts, screws and clips. Soak all of the bolts and screws with wd40 or PB Blaster for a day before removing them.

 

[oz16us]

okay...so i looked closely and i think my header panel will be fine. Also, I was able to push out the bumper with a heat gun and now it looks pretty good. Maybe I'll just pocket the insurance money. I could really use it. Despite bringing my vehicle to have the suspension checked, after slightly aligning the tires, the truck makes a popping and sometimes scrapping noise. I don't know why the shop never pointed this out to me. It sounds like a warped rotor. But I'm not sure....is it hard for a shop to diagnose a warped rotor on the front passenger side? it's like they did nothing for a $10 inspection

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Exactly, it was a $10 inspection. Lol.

Take some detailed pictures of both sides (suspension and steering parts) and post them. We can help diagnosed what's wrong. If both nut clips are still on the header panel to screw the marker light housing on it than ya by all means reuse it.

 

[oz16us]

thanks for the help MidnightRebel07. Actually, now I'm almost sure it could be the driver side wheel bearing just cause it grinds when I make a full right turn...on the other hand, i did just change them last year and it doesn't get louder as I drive. I do notice a little popping noise at medium speed, but it goes away as I go faster. The driver side wheel took a little bit of a hit, but not enough for the guys at the shop to point anything out. There was a slight dent on the wheel though. Now that I think of it, it sounds like wheel bearings are hard to diagnose since they're enclosed which is why they never mentioned them even when i stated i hear noise turn a full right...on the other hand, my power steering is not fully topped off. I wonder if this could be a cause

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Most likely the hub assembly on the driver side as well as maybe either the tie rod end (inner or outer) and sway bar end link is messed up causing these sounds. You don't want to play around with a bad hub, change it out just to be on the safe side.

 

[oz16us]

i don't think there is a hub assembly since it's a 2 wheel drive. Also, I changed the sway bar links last year but not the tie rods. The truck isn't swerving or anything and I would imagine that these parts would be very visible for the shop to inspect

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Ok, that's even cheaper and easier to fix than and would account for the scraping, grinding and popping noises.