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Thread: my bmw was wrecked and the inside frame is bent where the door gos

  1. #1
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    my bmw was wrecked and the inside frame is bent where the door gos

    My bmw runs and drives was hit in the side now where the door gos the frame is bent can it be fixed????

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    It is difficult to give some advoce over the internet w/o seeing the actual damage and measuring the damage in a measuring frame. Visit a professional shop to get the answer to your question.
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    Yea I was trying to figure out how to load a picture can I send it to your email or phone number

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    There is no frame; it's a unibody car. You haven't identified the car, but it doesn't matter, because no one can possibly tell you whether to have a bodyshop try to repair the car or not, because we can't see it.

    On the other hand, well, yes, of course it can be repaired.....but SHOULD it be repaired is a question you need to leave up to a top-of-the-line bodyshop, and maybe your insurance company.

    Chris Powell
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    Im trying to post a picture do you know how?

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    You can't, because you don't have enough posts (10). But as Shogun and I both said, it needs to go to an excellent bodyshop, so it can be evaluated and measured by a pro.

    Chris Powell
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    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

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    Quote Originally Posted by bmwdirtracer View Post
    There is no frame; it's a unibody car.
    Maybe I used thw wrong proper word. Of course the car has no frame, but for checking/repair there is a "frame". There are frame alignment control dimensions. Repairs can only be carried out correctly with the approved set of attachments and a straightening bench.
    See for example from page 41-0/5 https://www.bmwtechinfo.com/repair/main/741en/index.htm
    As bmwdirtracer said, visit a shop with the proper tools. They can measure and maybe straighten the body with special equipment.
    Last edited by shogun; 05-29-2015 at 08:02 PM.
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

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    (Of course, I agree completely, Shogun my friend; I'm also an ASE Master Collision Repair Specialist, (3x recertified) though I really only have the certification because I'm really good at tests). Certainly, you're absolutely correct in clarifying my point, to save the OP's misunderstanding when he starts talking to the bodyshop....which will likely say "FRAME", just as we would...

    Chris Powell
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    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

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    Your friend MauiM3Mania from Hawai visited me last year on his trip to Japan, we talked a lot about cars and also he mentioned your excellent knowledge, expertise and help.
    BTW: I recently have seen in a special body shop how they straightened an E32 on a straightening bench. Based on the damage I - as non car body/collission repair expert- would have said that car is ready for the scrap metal press. But when I saw the final repair, it looked great. Real experts can do a lot.
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

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    Shogun, you have taught me much, over the years...as has my best friend Scott.

    Damn, I miss Maui.....

    As for Justin; well, if this were a McLaren F1 or an LaFerrari, it would be on it's way back to the factory, where it would be fixed nicely. The frame machine being referred to hooks up to measured points, from which can be discovered what needs to be pulled, in exactly what direction, to straighten the car. But kinks can't just be pulled out, because the structural integrity of the "UNIBODY" will have also been disrupted. Some of this can be reasonably fixed or spliced, and reinforced, and overlapped, to achieve correct structural integrity and straightness, too. But sometimes you might want to consider that a good straight bodyshell with a bad engine/ interior, etc. might just be a better option? Please identify the car for us. We don't have a year showing....that's important.

    EDIT: Hey guys, anyone know what's happened with thejlevie?
    Last edited by bmwdirtracer; 05-29-2015 at 11:03 PM.

    Chris Powell
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    Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
    BMWCCA 274412
    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by bmwdirtracer View Post
    EDIT: Hey guys, anyone know what's happened with thejlevie?
    Medical issues.
    Last edited by MauiM3Mania; 05-30-2015 at 03:46 PM.
    04M3 TiAg 69k slick-top 3 pedal
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    88M3 AW 43k miles Project FS


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    Quote Originally Posted by MauiM3Mania View Post
    ^ true story



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    Quote Originally Posted by shogun View Post
    I recently have seen in a special body shop how they straightened an E32 on a straightening bench.
    Under what circumstances was the straightening bench used on the E32? In other words, did the body shop first disassemble the E32, removing all bent body panels, such as doors, fenders, etc. and then check the chassis alignment on the straightening bench, or was there an attempt to install new body panels and only when they wouldn't achieve the desired fit, the chassis was then installed on the straightening bench? Or is it even simpler then that, such as attempt to perform a four wheel alignment resulting in failure, which then prompts the chassis technician to install the chassis on the straightening bench to check chassis alignment?

    Circumstances aside, what is typically involved with installing a chassis on a straightening bench to check chassis alignment? Must both the front subframe and rear subframe be removed from the chassis prior testing chassis alignment?

    Can a method be devised to check chassis alignment without a straightening bench, for example performing a modified version of a string alignment?

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by shogun View Post
    How does one get access to bmwtechinfo.com? Does the shop you work for pay for a subscription to this service?

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    your probably looking around $120 an hour for these services. it can be done as others have stated but is the car worth it to you?

    i would sit down after having a professional look at it, with the proper tools they should be able to provide you with an estimate to repair the car to spec. then weigh that cost vs the cost of replacing the car in question outright

    this really is not something that can be done accurately or safely by a home gamer.

    i did attempt to straighten a front frame rail on a friends e30 after he hit a bear at highway speeds car was done anyway we just wanted to see if we could pull the frame rail straight enough that the car would track straight again never really intending on repairing the car for use again, anyway

    we chained the back end of his e30 to a tree and with a winch on the back of my one ton hooked to the frame rail with an axle strap we pulled the frame rail by eye straight enough that the car does track straight again.

    now the real issue here in my opinion is your confidence in that vehicle afterwards. personally unless the job was professionally done i just would not feel safe driving that car at speed..... or on public roads at all really.

    if the car isnt worth paying a professional to fix it your better off buying another one. unless you have some sort of sentimental attachment to that specific car
    Last edited by ogkush420; 10-25-2016 at 09:21 AM.
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  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by ogkush420 View Post
    i did attempt to straighten a front frame rail on a friends e30
    Thanks for the war story. I'm not being sarcastic. Your situation was unique; the E30 was involved with an accident where it was it visually noticeable that front frame rail(s) were bent, following what I assume was the removal of the front bumper, fenders, radiator, etc. In this case, you were suspicious of hidden damage, given severity of the accident, which prompted you to visually inspect the alignment of the frame.

    I think you've answered an important question I didn't ask, which is unless you have reason to check the alignment of the frame, such as an inability to achieve a four wheel alignment, you shouldn't, because it's cost prohibitive. Checking frame alignment is cost prohibitive because it must be done by an experienced professional with specialized equipment not in the possession of most body shops.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ratinoff View Post
    Thanks for the war story. I'm not being sarcastic. Your situation was unique; the E30 was involved with an accident where it was it visually noticeable that front frame rail(s) were bent, following what I assume was the removal of the front bumper, fenders, radiator, etc. In this case, you were suspicious of hidden damage, given severity of the accident, which prompted you to visually inspect the alignment of the frame.

    I think you've answered an important question I didn't ask, which is unless you have reason to check the alignment of the frame, such as an inability to achieve a four wheel alignment, you shouldn't, because it's cost prohibitive. Checking frame alignment is cost prohibitive because it must be done by an experienced professional with specialized equipment not in the possession of most body shops.
    correct the whole front clip of that car came off, we knew something was bent before hand because the car pulled hard left on his way home after the accident

    we went into it with the attitude that this isnt going to work but we really dont have much to loose for trying other then a few hours wrenching which we both enjoyed anyway, i mean it was already broke whats the worst thing that could happen break it more?.

    anyway sort of thread jacking here now i apologize.

    that F40 episode of fast n loud also comes to mind here.

    anyway i guess to summarize what i am trying to say to the OP is: how much is this car worth to you ?
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  18. #18
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  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by ogkush420 View Post
    that F40 episode of fast n loud also comes to mind here.
    It's funny you should mention Fast and Loud, Ferrari Fix Part 1 and Part 2, because that was the only time I've ever actually seen anyone attempt (with success too!), use a straightening bench and perform a chassis alignment. I found those two episodes so interesting that I researched which body shop actually performed the chassis alignment and it turns out it was Stuart's Paint and Body of Dallas, Texas.

    Stuart's Paint and Body
    10440 Plano Rd

    Dallas, Texas 75238
    (214) 221-6999

    http://www.stuartspnb.com/

    I would imagine that chassis alignment is performed by professional racing teams (NASCAR, Champ Car, F-1, World Rally Champ, etc.) given the lack of easily replacing a chassis if it is one-off or two-off, it's just that I've never seen it actually done before, that is until I watched the aforementioned Fast and Loud episodes.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by WadiM3 View Post
    Have a look at my e36 damage thread.
    You've started 71 threads. Which one is it? Post a link to the thread and I'll check it out!
    Last edited by Ratinoff; 10-28-2016 at 08:11 PM.

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    Post links to any chassis alignments you've personally performed in this thread for everyone's education. Thanks.

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    I'm having trouble following this discussion... I repaired hundreds of unibody cars both street and race. as a general rule , ANYTHING can be repaired properly. its just a matter of economics. on a car like this guy's BMW , you put it on the bench and, pull it gently to rough it in and then start removing spot welds and structure until you get to parts that are undamaged and measure to factory spec. then you weld in new parts until youre done. if you are good at what you do then the car is as good as the day it was made. usually that's not how it gets done though. at production body shops they don't go all the way back to good panels but straighten a fair amount of structure and then weld on new stuff. nowhere near as good but serviceable in most respects. if this guys car , whatever it is, is his pride and joy and money is no object then the simple answer is , " yes " it can be fixed back to " as good as new " if he wants to write the check. within this discussion, I'm not sure what you mean by a " chassis alignment " . a chassis or unibody or monocoque is merely a an assembly of components to a set of fixed dimensional hard points. there is no " alignment " per se. you assemble the pieces, weld them together on a fixture or jig and when you are done it either measures correctly or it doesn't. you can't have something that is dimensionally correct and yet is " out of alignment " . that fast and loud episode was a case in point. Ferrari requires you use an authorized shop to fix the cars. those shops have to have the correct bench to both do the work and to act as the measuring fixture. im not certain but I think they use a cellete bench some of which are the best in the business. Ferrari will have required those guys to have the proper jigs and fixtures to do that work ( even though some of which was horrifying to watch ) . the best nascar shops use a 3 dimensional coordinate measuring system to validate the frames they build. its all in the numbers and the numbers never lie. I'm not saying that this guys car that was hit in the door would be easy to fix. all im saying is that if he wants it badly enough and can write the check, the car can be fixed back to factory new with no problems at all.

    having said that, these new cars with carbon subframes and bonded aluminum structures must be a night mare. I can't imagine any general commercial shop even thinking about fixing one of those that's been hit hard and retaining the structural integrity that those cars were born with. how can a company even insure something like an I8 ... the car is a total loss if you even look at it sideways...
    Last edited by stvsxm; 05-20-2018 at 07:20 AM.

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