slight out of alignment FIXED! 8/17

[1-3-2-4]

I'm trying to figure out what part it is.. the car had some slight passenger side damage but I can't tell if the passenger side light is not sitting flush with the bumper because of the bumper or something else got pushed back because when I screw the headlight in behind the grill it sits like this.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/05/IMAG04491-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/05/IMAG04471-1.jpg

[mycargoesvroom]

Hate to tell you this man but it looks like the radiator support is bent. I can see a bit of rust forming right above the top headlight screw.

[1-3-2-4]

hmm I will have to look at it this morning

[1-3-2-4]

So yeah.. How can i get it back into place?

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/05/IMAG04731-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/05/IMAG04741-1.jpg

[Huffer]

Take the bumper cover off and see what else is out of alignment first. You may have to have the rad supports straightened...

[1-3-2-4]

how is it possible to straighten them?

[98outbackpdx]

how is it possible to straighten them?

yes you can straighten them but it might be wise to take it to a body shop and pay them $150 or so to completely go over the car for other damage and they would most likely put it up on a frame rack to make sure that is all you need to replace. it is like $60 an hour to have a car up on a frame rack to straighten everything out. to me it looks like the car has take a hit to one of the sides probably the right side. but you probably need to really get the car up on a frame rack to tell the true extent of the damage.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I agree. It's not really a DIY job to straighten out frame pieces.

[1-3-2-4]

I dont care about the other parts I just want the headlight back.. If its bad I can just use spacers on a bolt

[4n70n1n0]

fuck the bodyshot, just use the headlight alignment bolts and push the beam back so u can see straight and be done. My wife's GF had the same issue with the radiator support I took the radiator out and moved shit out of the way and put a long metal pipe and pulled and tugged and banged until the radiator support, grill and headlight were where i wanted it.

Fuck the bodyshop

[98outbackpdx]

http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/82-maintenance-repair/150950-radiator-core-support.html

guy in a tauras got in an accident and decided to fix it himself. worth a look.

[1-3-2-4]

pretty much how I'm going to do it kinda why I'm delaying getting some more JDM headlights.. but I need to get a move on it because these headlights suck ass.. I can see my yellow fogs better then my headlights...


Sounds like something for me to do while I have the motor and other shit out.

[chuckthefuk]

You can do this many different ways. That link above is outrageous.


Heres a really simple and cheap way to do this.

1) Buy a ratchet strap kit from your local hardware store (ratchet straps that hold down items to your roof rack or truck)
2) Drive your car to your nearest TREE or light pole (careful the authorities don't like this!)
3) Pull the headlight / grille out of the car.
4) Wrap the ratcheting strap to the rad support.
5) Wrap the other end of the strap to the pole/tree.
6) Start ratcheting
7) SLOW and STEADY Wins the race.
8) Get a hammer + dolly (any chunk of thick metal you can use to counteract the hammer strikes)
9) Use the hammer + dolly to massage the wrinkles out of the rad support.

WARNINIG!!!

Your rad support is VERY VERY weak!! Don't go overboard or your going to do more damage then good.

-Chuck

[1-3-2-4]

They said it's spot welded? At were is it welded at? I always thought it was just held in by the two screw bolts on each side.

[chuckthefuk]

nope.. spot welded for sure.. i believe 2 welds on each side.

If you take of your fender you will see where the rad support joins the front clip.

[1-3-2-4]

Is it spot welded with the fenders? Because I'm going to replace mine when I get around to painting it.. These models are the worst.. almost every one I see has a notable dent near the wheel arches in the front. more so the drivers side.

[chuckthefuk]

The rad support is joined to the front clip by two spolt welds on each side.

The spot welds are hidden by the fender that is bolted on top of the front clip.

I don't understand how you can say "these models are the worst"

Subaru has not changed the mounting style in 10 years.... even the STi is assembled the same way.

The dents are from shitty driving or jerks who hit you.

-Chuck

[1-3-2-4]

I'm saying the 2nd Gen legacys they all have the same dents in the same areas if it's not the wheel arch area it's near the parking lot area.

[1-3-2-4]

Not really trying today I decided to put a screwdriver in one of the holes of the radiator support and I think I know where I need to pull forward at.. the bracket behind the light next to the radiator.

I put my finger on it, it's more pushed in then the drivers side.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/06/IMAG05431-1.jpg

[Okin DaVanh]

Be careful not to puncture either the radiator and/or ac condenser. I know you know this, but some people look away when pulling. Pick a safe area to stand (in case straps/chains etc... break) and keep an eye out for over-pulling. This weakens the sheetmetal too.

[4n70n1n0]

Just like with most things that you haven't done yourself and you want to take a crack at it. Just take it easy and slow and you 'll get it done right or close enough


http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/82-maintenance-repair/150950-radiator-core-support.html

guy in a tauras got in an accident and decided to fix it himself. worth a look.

DAMN! Mine wasn't this bad

[1-3-2-4]

I pulled the headlight out today to see a bit more

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/06/DCP_8682-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/06/DCP_8683-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/06/DCP_8684-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/06/DCP_8685-1.jpg


How it should be...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/06/DCP_8704-1.jpg

gap with the support

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/06/DCP_8698-1.jpg

[1-3-2-4]

Nice I just saw in the body section of the FSM they give measurements of how far the tram tracking gauge should be.. but that tool is too much so a tape measure will have to do.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/06/body-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/06/body2-1.jpg

[chuckthefuk]

That tool can be made for under $10 at home depot.

Take a round bar of steel and attach two metal bars that cone shaped at each end. Use a clamp to secure the cones to the bar.

Take a measuring tape and mark the steel bar with mm/inches and you good to go.

Using meausing tapes alone will fu*k you right up since u cant get a level reading because the tape just buckles once u go past 3 feet.

Looks something like this
http://www.shoptoolsforpros.com/auto-bo ... gauge.html (http://www.shoptoolsforpros.com/auto-body-tools/frame-alignment/dent-fix-df3d-tram-measuring-gauge.html)


Trust me... don't mess around with this shit.

-Chuck

[1-3-2-4]

it's just headlight thats not sitting right... when the hood is closed it's fine.. the headlight needs to sit right so I can also put the grill in.. I'm not really going to do much now until about 2/3 weeks from now when i take the radiator out.

I should of taken my vacation time all in the same month

[1-3-2-4]

Got it!

I had to bend the part that the light screws into and push it more to the passenger side of the car.. somehow it got pushed over a small gap under the light but at least the grill fits now and the headlight it right now.. Now I can go and take off my passenger side head.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/08/IMAG0765-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/08/IMAG07621-1.jpg

[chuckthefuk]

Its called your radiator support. And I am glad you managed to fix it without a body shop

[1-3-2-4]

yeah I know I forgot to call it the correct name :-/ nevertheless its done.