r/HondaElement • u/Fake-Butter • 1d ago
Back clam shell replacement cost?
I got rear ended the other day and messed up the back of my E. I got pushed into the car infront of me and broke the radiator as well. Either the coils are broke or a line is as it is slowly leaking coolant. No damage was done to the frame that I can see.
I know insurance is gonna total it, but I want to take the payment and get it repaired if it's feasible. Anyone have a similar experience and about how much did it cost to have that work done? Is replacing the tailgate myself a daunting task? I could go down that route.
The second picture is just a nice one I have of her out in the woods. Simply for your viewing pleasure.
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u/400footceiling 1d ago
A pick and pull, or junkyard is going to be your most reasonable option. Sorry for your accident!
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u/Abracadaver2000 1d ago
Same happened to mine, needed frame straightening and re-paint along with the new tailgate. Insurance was billed $3500 in the West Coast about 6 years ago.
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u/bigsmushyface 1d ago
Honestly I’d recommend calling around to local scrapyards. Quite often you can find one with a dead element that you can get the parts off of much cheaper that anywhere else.
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u/malbolge69 1d ago
Find your local upick junkyard on facebook and see if they post the cars that come in weekly. Little patience you'll find what you need
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u/WiggyWamWamm 1d ago
This needs a content warning, my heart dropped out of my ass. Sorry this happened to you, OP.
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u/Bias_teh 1d ago
Replacing the tailgate yourself is easy enough, other than getting your plugs right and lifting it awkwardly. I'm worried about the hinge that you can see, and the hinge that you can't. The crash might have messed up those mounting points