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General => The garage => Topic started by: Mikester on 02 March 2009, 15:29

Title: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Mikester on 02 March 2009, 15:29
I have a bent chassis leg on my mk3. It has been bent for well over a year now, but passed MOT and has driven fine for 20k miles. Had coilovers fitted, and all sorts done and its never given any problems except of course hanging the bumper on one side.

Next MOT is in 2 weeks, providing the car passes the mot, which it should do as it did last time, and the rest of the car is very well maintained then the guy at the bodyshop i use, will get his mate who has a jig to have a look.

I know this is expensive, but i want to know the answer, is it repairable at the price it will cost. Im aware it will cost about £150 just to put the car on the jig, before labour of each hour spent. But can it be done?

As they say, better the devil you know. Especially when it comes to a car that hasnt let you down in a getting on for 2 years.

Cheers

Mike

(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc212/michaelkettlety/DSC00482.jpg)
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Wayne on 02 March 2009, 15:46
Well if you like the car get it repaired, it is not that far gone.
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Mikester on 02 March 2009, 15:54
Well if you like the car get it repaired, it is not that far gone.

Indeed, thats the question. Im aware of the price, I just wanted opinions of if its not too far gone as you say.

What you think?
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Wayne on 02 March 2009, 16:23
Well if you like the car get it repaired, it is not that far gone.

Indeed, thats the question. Im aware of the price, I just wanted opinions of if its not too far gone as you say.

What you think?

Hard to see from the photo but it is designed to crumple and that is what it has done, the issue you have got is you could pull it out and straighten it but it may weaken it, only other option is to cut out the damaged section and weld in a new piece which I have seen done in the past.

But yes you could repair it and I have seen worse repaired with no issues.
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Mikester on 02 March 2009, 16:48
Well if you like the car get it repaired, it is not that far gone.

Indeed, thats the question. Im aware of the price, I just wanted opinions of if its not too far gone as you say.

What you think?

Hard to see from the photo but it is designed to crumple and that is what it has done, the issue you have got is you could pull it out and straighten it but it may weaken it, only other option is to cut out the damaged section and weld in a new piece which I have seen done in the past.

But yes you could repair it and I have seen worse repaired with no issues.

Thats great then, put my mind at rest. As long as it is repairable i think i will have it done.

Cheers mate
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Len on 02 March 2009, 16:53
Dodgy!

But hey you'll get away with it when you become a copper!
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Mikester on 02 March 2009, 17:00
(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc212/michaelkettlety/DSC00481.jpg)
(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc212/michaelkettlety/DSC00483.jpg)
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Wayne on 02 March 2009, 17:14
I don't see any issues with repairing that.
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: LazyLunatic on 02 March 2009, 17:27
yes it can be repaired. not sure on cost though. cant tell by the pics if its possible with you, but sometimes they hammer it back to place.

Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Mikester on 02 March 2009, 18:06
I dont fancy hammering it as it will pull what its connected too, would prefer to have it put on a jig and done properly.

Thats cool though, at least now im not too worried about it.

Cheers guys
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Wayne on 02 March 2009, 19:30
Good thing with a jig is that it will put everything back as it should.
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Mikester on 03 March 2009, 19:31
This is it, i will get it done on this guys jig, admitadly it costs a lot to just have it put on the jig but it will sort it all out. Then with the new bumper on, and the spray work done with the vento front end, it will look back to perfect as i bought it. Maybe its not worth it, but i will spend the amound of another good mk3, on making this one good. So hey o! All in the name of dubbin i guess.

How long do you think it would take on a jig? Any ideas

He said its normally about £150 to get it on the jig, plus however many hours labour on top. Although i might get a special rate ;)
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Wayne on 03 March 2009, 23:16
Hard to say but 3hrs should put that right.

Might be worth you stripping it before and saving some money that way.
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Mikester on 03 March 2009, 23:29
Yeah could be wise, but i wouldnt be able to get it there without a wing and bumper on etc. So i reckon maybe £150 to put on the jig, how much do you think labour would be per hour? £100, less more?
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Wayne on 03 March 2009, 23:34
Yeah could be wise, but i wouldnt be able to get it there without a wing and bumper on etc. So i reckon maybe £150 to put on the jig, how much do you think labour would be per hour? £100, less more?

I would think between £50 to £100 an hour.

As an idea why not strip it yourself then see if someone can trailer it over for you could work out cheaper.
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Mikester on 03 March 2009, 23:37
Yeah, i was thinkin that, theres a trailer that we have used before that was about £50 for the day. So could be an option i suppose. Once i get the mot done in 2 weeks i will post up with what the chap says.

Cheers for your help mate.
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Wayne on 03 March 2009, 23:39
No worries.

As I said you could save a lot by pulling it apart yourself, well worth thinking about.

If you need any more help feel free to pm.
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Mikester on 03 March 2009, 23:43
Would have to see if i would save more than the trailer cost. Worth considering i suppose.
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: boo on 04 March 2009, 21:13
im sure thats just a bracket that welds to the leg
you can get a new one from vw not unless the legs bent inover
usally about anhour to mount on a jig and a couple to sort it out
Title: Re: Chassis: Unrepairable, or repairable at a price
Post by: Mikester on 05 March 2009, 12:35
O right, might have to have a look into that, sure they will know when they look at it.

Cheers

Mike