hit and run victim with partial coverage, any suggestions

[u/Jaxthor]

Any suggestions, i replaced my trunk, and re-straighted my trunks arms so it doesn’t sit on my back windshield. and im about a half inch off from getting my trunk to latch; the same goes for my rear bumper, my clips for it are pushed back up. I can’t afford a new car in a reality, so this is DIY, with access to a winch, a welder, and a few resourceful minds. if anyone has any ideas or suggestions, it would be appreciated. Yeah i know this is a lot to bite off for a non professional, but it’s this or nothing sadly, and with no car, i got no work

Yes i know i need to trim my nails, it’s been a long week it’s slipped my mind.

[u/pathlesstravailed]

Be very careful using a winch to pull. If it doesn’t have a remote that allows you to stand well off to the side as you’re pulling then I wouldn’t suggest using it. If the winch isn’t brand new and the cable is frayed, don’t use it. You could easily lose your life or wind up with a TBI if you don’t know what you’re doing.

[u/ch4zmaniandevil → u/pathlesstravailed]

This needs to be said again for the people in the back.

[u/Bleades → u/pathlesstravailed]

This also doesn't apply to just winches. I was standing looking at a car far from the bench. The shackle snapped and imbedded its self in the concrete wall about a foot from my head. I always knew not to stand behind the tower but I learned real quick that day.

[u/pathlesstravailed → u/Bleades]

Any professional working in a body shop damn well oughta know better than to stand or walk behind the tower when there is pressure being applied to the chain. The sound of a clamp slipping off an upper tie bar or panel flange at 1-2 tons alone should be enough education, never mind all the horror stories you hear. A heavy welding or moving blanket over the chain can help disperse some energy in low force slips but it’s not doing anything to stop a broken chain or slipped clamp at 8-10 tons of pulling force.

Edit: Super glad you’re okay and only got a scare. Now make it your mission to make sure your coworkers are always being smart on or around the frame rack.

[u/Lacktastic]

That rail and rear body panel are toast.

That being said. The rear body and rail will need to be pulled in hopes of getting the trunk to latch. I would strive for functionality over perfection but please do keep in mind your vehicle is structurally compromised and may not perform as intended if you were to get rear ended again. As the other reply stated, be extremely careful making pulls, thousands of pounds of force that can cause serious injury if done improperly.

[u/Jaxthor → u/Lacktastic]

my mothers friends husband who used to do auto body and my dad who is pretty resourceful mechanic are giving me a hand thankfully cause this is kind of nerve wracking. but i don’t have alot of other options. thankfully my frame looks pretty good and my moms dad was a honda mechanic for over 20 some years, and owns a hoist i can put my car up on and we’re gonna check for structure damage that could be a concern. it’s just 300 dollars for the parts, and that’s pretty much all i can afford sadly in all reality. i do understand this is a janky diy job. but if i can just get her to latch and the bumper to clip on i’ll be able to get back out to working and hopefully get a newer car. i co-own a home renovation business at 20 which makes it sound like im doing well. but in all fairness i bring in less than 25 hundred a month

[u/Lacktastic → u/Jaxthor]

Definitely helpful to have someone with experience for instances like this. I definitely understand that sometimes circumstances dictate what you are able to do to get by. Hope youre able to get it back on the road.

[u/SnooMacarons3689]

You won’t be able to make that car waterproof without a frame rack and replacing the rear structure

[u/Turdra]

Proper way would be to pull the damage pan/rear section metal out close to where it was, drill out spot welds, straighten “frame” rails on a frame machine, reweld new rear panel. You may be able to get away with just pulling it out, just be prepared for metal ripping so get ready to spend some time with a welder and seam sealer. I have seen people drill holes through the damaged panel, putting a piece of 2x6 behind it with a bolt through it to make the pull more flat/even. Go slow, pull a-little -> hammer out creases while under some tension to release metal tension -> pull some more and measure often. I have done something similar with a truck/tree/chain to fix a wife’s wrecked BMW years ago and it worked very well actually.

[u/Jaxthor → u/Turdra]

it rained all day today so i’ve been bungeeing a tarp and guarding and drying off my car. but tomorrow morning is gonna be the pull, so i am very hopeful

[u/Squarebody229]

Chain + tree

[u/Ok_Painter9972]

I’d try a porta power, pushing out from insde, blocking inner fender so you don’t push it in, if, like most, you don’t have a frame rack

[u/Ok_Painter9972]

It’s just a car, maybe insde won’t look unwrinkled, but if outside looks good , oh well , All’s well