[dannyck]

Hi Guys,

I recently got into a car accident with my '99 Range Rover and need help badly. I am really tight for funds and only had liability insurance, so I am trying to fix the car by myself. The right passenger side of the front got hit, and the right fender, hood bumper, headlight were broken and bent. Additionally, the spring (I replaced the air shocks with coil springs) on the passenger side looked bent forward, so I looked under and it seems that the whole left wheel is pushed backwards, hitting the touching the rear wheel well. I looked under the car and it looked like the radius arm on that side had bent so that it is touching the catalytic converter on that side. Is this all I need to replace or do I need to replace more things in the suspension? Could this possibly be the only issue the wheel is pushed back and the spring bent? I really appreciate any help you guys can give me. God bless.

 

[dannyck]

Also, I am borrowing a friends digital camera and will try to post pictures of the suspension soon.

 

[RRToadHall]

Have a real body shop provide a fully detailed estimate. THis will provide a nice list of everything needed for you to use as a shopping list.

 

[dannyck]

I can't move it because of the wheel issue, and I don't have the money to spend on a tow, because if the body shop repair is too expensive I will have to scrap it.

 

[bandit86]

robably a bent frame if your wheel is touching the wheelwell. how bad is the radius arm bent? might be all that's it.

 

[dannyck]

its bent inwards, and now its resting almost directly under the catalytic converter on that side. On driver's side (normal) the radius arm runs along the outside (lateral) of the cat.

 

[kmagnuss]

Time to start looking for a new car man...cause it's just probably not going to be worth it to fix it.

 

[dannyck]

Is it impossible to fix at home? I really don't have the cash for a new car or to take it to the shop, but I am fairly good at DIY jobs.

 

[RRToadHall]

Until we see pics we really can't offer too much advice.

 

[leftlanetruckin]

Please don't take this the wrong way here.
If you are on here asking for advise etc, I am doubting your ability to fix your rig. There are many things that need to be at least checked, if not replaced. By the sound of it, you have little understanding of the basics, such as checking the frame, suspension, steering etc.
Sorry to say it, but if you cannot afford to at least have a qualified person look it over and give you an estimate, I doubt you will have the needed funds to repair it 100% properly. Something as minor as a wheel bearing is quite costly for these rigs, so the overall cost of repairing it correctly will be more than its worth IMHO.
We are just trying to save you from hurting yourself and possibly others down the road if the job is not done correctly.
My advise is to part it out, or keep an eye open for another p38 with a blown motor etc that you can use your good parts on.
Why not post the specs on the rig and your location and maybe someone will be interested in buying it off you whole for parts etc?
Sorry.

Martin

 

[shupack]

I've got one with a missing motor, sounds like a decent match but I have to agree with Martin, this kind of falls into the "if you have to ask, you'll never know...." Not that I discourage anyone from trying within their abilities, this may be more than a DIY job.

You may be able to get a body-shop guy to swing by you to give an estimate, but I would say jack it up and start pulling off bent parts, and make a list. Radius arm and panhard rod at a minimum, possibly (probably?) tie rod/track rod. If the steering took a good shot the box may be bad too..

the axle itself, can bent or the knuckle/joints bend/break.

Fender/hood/headlight are the least of your worries if the frame is bent....

If you're in a rush, don't do it.

 

[SpiggyTopes]

For what it's worth .....

Mine was badly smashed in the side.

The body shop said that anything can be repaired if you throw enough cash and time at it, but in this case it was not economical to fix.

I'm now glad about it because I would never have been sure if it had been fixed properly - every little twitch, steering wobble, electrical gremlin, imagined or real would have been blamed on the repair.

Hope this help a little bit ....

 

[dannyck]

Hey guys, thanks for the quick and honest responses. I am not that good with cars, but my dad is, and I was just trying to scope if he could fix it. I live a couple hours away from him, so I wanted to ask you guys first. I have some pictures here that I have attached, please let me know if you see anything. God bless.

passenger side view
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad17 ... C_0427.jpg

front axle
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad17 ... C_0435.jpg

right radius arm front bushing
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad17 ... C_0436.jpg

front axle and steering arm, etc.
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad17 ... C_0437.jpg

right radius arm bent under catalytic converter
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad17 ... C_0438.jpg
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad17 ... C_0439.jpg

some sort of connection that fell off radius arm in front
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad17 ... C_0441.jpg

 

[leftlanetruckin]

Try to get a list together of the parts you think you need, and price them all up. After you get that price, roughly double it to get an accurate idea.
You may well be better swapping your good parts over.

Martin

 

[dutchfrompredator]

i wish you the best with this and i'm sure i'll be crucified for saying this, but there's more to buying a vehicle than simply liking it. these things can be a financial wrecking ball for people who make 6+ figures a year when the wrong parts go, let alone those on a tight budget. it's not a good position to be in, especially with no escape route. if you fix it do it right. you'll never forgive yourself if someone gets hurt because of your finances and a car you just had to have.

 

[diff]

What "fell' off is the anti-sway bar link from what I see and I gather they can break off-roading. Compare the left front bracket for the radius arm to the one that was hit. It looks like it has spread, so it could be bent back but may require rewelding. I have to say that its hard to tell all that is actually bent. My guess is that the axle took an impact via the wheel rim. Is the rim bent? Follow the line of impact in to see what absorbed the shock by bending or breaking, or moving sideways. I do understand your budget issues so getting a fender/liner/front bumper c/w fog/headlite could be costly unless you bang it out and live with that. What speed was the impact?

 

[shupack]

that connection is the sway-bar linkage. The radius arm is obviously bad, can't tell about the axle from the photos but it may be damaged as well. the front bushing looks to be pushed over because of the bend in the arm.

There is allot of rust under there. not cancerous yet, but will be soon (different subject, but just as important...)

The body damage looks to go under the fender as well, but I belive (not positive) but the fender well is bolt on too.

The dead rover I have is Red, so unless you want to be called "Joseph with the technicolor dream truck" they'll need a bit of work in paint/prep.

 

[wills]

it might also be good to give a shot of the side of the vehicle so we can see the full extent of the damage.

It seems like you are just trying to get it driveable at the moment, is this correct??

-Will

 

[Scotty]

I have to say, I would agree with Martin and Dennis, the amount of time that you would spend trying to repair this Rangi, would really be better spent making a deal with Dennis on his Rangi less motor. At least you know what you have going in. Once you complete the project you wont have any worries about safety... :think:

Scotty

 

[leftlanetruckin]

Danny,
Do you have any financing on your rangie? Is it all paid off free and clear?
I have a sinking feeling there is more to this than meets the eye is all :think:
I don't mean in any way to pry into your finances, and if you do not reply I will 110% understand mate, but we are offering help to the point of Dennis offering his "spares" rig, and still no acceptance.
IMHO it will NOT be safe unless it goes to a qualified shop to at least look it over and tell you what is wrong. Even then other items can crop up as they take it all apart and put it on a jig.....

martin