Straightening Frame
 

Well, on one of my 7's there was apparantly a fender bender that it was involved in. The passenger side engine bay brace that goes from one fender to the other was was pushed back exactly 1 inch so the passenger side headlight does not sit flush with the bumper. Here is a pic of the brace:

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o.../RX7engine.jpg

It's only the passenger side of the brace as the drivers is still straight.

Any ideas on how to pull that back forward?

hook up a big truck and pull.....lol. I think some body shops can strighten it out. I know a person who hit a light pole and did the same thing and they where able to strighten it out.

Yeah the body shop is really your only option.

they could work if you're gentle, but they could also go horribly wrong and it'd never be the same car after a screw up.

some body shops do have this gizmo that is actually ment to pull your car back to its original....straight-ness....um.....yea....that came out dumb

i think my mentor called it a puller or something

yes, a frame puller. the way a puller is designed though it looks like they're more of a pusher or spreader, but I've never seen one in use so I'm not exactly sure how it's used.

your better off getting another chassie.. a frame straightner can only do so much.. and quite frankly a car is nver the same again... it will flex again, only easier.. face the facts....

Yeah but getting another chassis and do all that work for a swap and such to get another car going just seems pointless and alot of extra work just for 1 inch. The damage is minimal just got pushed back that inch.

Other than this the car is straight with a pretty good interior. Previous owner said it would take a bit to get it running yet took me maybe an hour after finding out he put 2 Leading plugs in vs. 2 trailing 2 leading. Just think it's worth trying as this isnt my daily driver anyways.

I've seen bodyshops pull frames strait after there was a visible buckle in the floor. In terms of that portion being critical.... It's not. There are no suspension components bolted to it, yes the towers may collapse a bit, add a few braces. Without seeing it no-one can really make a guess. Take it to a pro.

I had a similar problem, but I had the motor out and I used a hammer and a jack and I got the brace back into shape. The bumper cover was about a CM off of where it should have been, and now it's fine. But mine was pushed back and down a little bit. It looks like someone had pulled into a garage and bumped something a little solid. Nothing major, just some cosmetic annoyances for me. Damn the people who used to own my car.

There is also a Re-bar under that piece.that goes to the Corner of the car and joins a piece of Metal to the Fender/Bumper..I had the same thing happen.Sort of.I bought a Car with damage.I thought just simple parts replacement,But NO!..the frame was off and had to get it straightened.They did a Real good job though,and went as far as putting Back on all the parts Required.(they were given to the shop in a Bag!).So,to make a long story Short,Seek out a Reputable Body shop,get an estimate and Go with our Gut!

Yeah, that part is not critical. And if you're concerned about future strength, just weld another piece of re-bar inside of it then paint it back up.