New Appearance Mods

[BAleroS]

Not the type of modification that I wanted, but hey what do ya do!


Around 7:50am this morning on the interstate here in Sioux Falls, someone decided to cut in front of drivers taking off ramp to get into town. Well traffic was going a lot slower than he was so naturally he had to slow down, he however did not leave much room behind him for other people. So the guy ahead of me spiked his breaks in return I hit mine. I slid for about 80 ft. and came to a stop after colliding with the back of his vehicle. Needless to say, the person who originally caused the accident just drove off.

Some people...

[mfuller]

Ouch. Are you okay?

[BAleroS]

Yeah, I am fine, airbags didn't deploy. Just angry that the other people drove off.

[happyisthealero]

Sorry dude, my first response was LOL!!

[sleepyalero]

how is this funny?

sorry to hear man, i'd be devistated.

[Truth]

how is this funny?

sorry to hear man, i'd be devistated.

Agreed, the guy who did it is a jerk for just driving off

[tw0123]

The guy who drove off probably didn't even see it happen or think he had anything to do with it and continued on his merry way... this is why i have been giving serious thougts to getting a dash cam...

Glad you're ok... hopefully insurance works out in your favour!

[Secord]

Ouch! Hope insurance goes well.

[04PONTIACGA]

That sucks man, that's a good amount of damage. Glad to hear you're alright and hope everything works out for you.

[Babyblue]

Good thing your okay, stupid people driving now days.

[That01Olds]

Sorry to hear about what happened to your car man, but glad to hear that you're okay. Unfortunately there are stupid drivers out there.

[happyisthealero]

how is this funny?

sorry to hear man, i'd be devistated.

The title of the thread, not the accident. I have had that happen to me before, really the best thing you can do if you survive is :lol:

[jeffrey1990]

iv bin there a few times ( three ) it sucks but all you can do is hit the junk yard and rebuild. never know your insurance might not go up to bad I only 151

[sleepyalero]

The title of the thread, not the accident. I have had that happen to me before, really the best thing you can do if you survive is :lol:

oh okay haha my mistake.

[kwhauck]

1. Glad you are ok.
2. I bet they total your vehicle.
3. Is you alero a coupe, if no see no. 1, if yes proceed to no. 4.
4. I'll buy your totaled coupe.

[xXManwhoreXx]

Knocked your intake off..

[BAleroS]

No car is not a coupe sorry. I only had liability on the ho. Being 19 single and male full coverage is through the roof anyways. Plus I am in college so student loans take up a chunk of my income. So in the insurance world the driver in front of me was not negligent so his insurance won't cover my damages, however mine will cover his.

[kwhauck]

So fender, hood, bumper, core support, 5mph bumper, headlight, headlight support, could get a little spendy better start junkyard shopping. I might have some black parts I could hook you up with cheap.

[BAleroS]

Yeah that'd be great of you could check and see what you have. Not sure when I will be back on your side of the state Kyle ( hope I remembered your name correctly). Bryce is going to check his old alero to see if there is anything useable on there as well.

[Nas Escobar]

So fender, hood, bumper, core support, 5mph bumper, headlight, headlight support, could get a little spendy better start junkyard shopping. I might have some black parts I could hook you up with cheap.

That's of course if he didn't bend his frame, which looks like he bent the frame where the fender bolts onto.

Also, it's not a "headlight support", it's a "header panel". It's easy to change but a bitch to buy. They charge you for it as if it was a bumper/bumper cover.

He's also going to need the foglight (if his car had it), and the splash guards.

[BAleroS]

Had fog lights but I took then off and replaced with grille mesh. Splash guards are still good just need to buy the plastic snap bolts to but it back onto the quarter panel. Frame I'm not so sure about, haven't taken a look at it too terribly close yet. I will have time Monday to assess all the damage. I do however have a couple more pictures that I will upload when I get on my computer. Currently using my phone.

[falloutboy]

damn that really sucks.
I have the fear of this happening everytime I am out on the road or parking my car somewhere.

It really sucks to be a minority (carwise) here.
But thank god the Alero folks are a tight-knit group.

[kwhauck]

I for sure have a front bumper cover, pair of headlights, headlight panel, foglights, I think I have a set of fenders too, and a bunch of other misc stuff, i'll crawl up in the attic this weekend.

[BAleroS]

I appreciate it.

[BAleroS]

Here are a couple more pictures I was able to take yesterday after picking it up from the impound lot.

[Nas Escobar]

It looks like the frame was pushed in where the headlight goes... That might be a problem.

[kwhauck]

It looks like the frame was pushed in where the headlight goes... That might be a problem.

aleros don't have "frames"

[Nas Escobar]

aleros don't have "frames"

Well whatever the unibody structure is called... the point is still valid. Theres structural components where the fender mounts and it can't be taken off.

[BAleroS]

So, got it to the garage. Looks like the (radiator support?) the metal above the radiator is bent back pretty bad tilting the battery. Also is touching the heat shield on the exhaust manifold. I have pics I will upload tonight

[billytheman1188]

aleros don't have "frames"

actually they do....subframes.

[BAleroS]

In this case the subframe is seemingly fine. Just above the radiator, maybe it's a header panel?

[kwhauck]

actually they do....subframes.

He said frames, not subframe and I was just corrected his terminology because that is what he did the page before........middle school bitches....

[billytheman1188]

He said frames, not subframe and I was just corrected his terminology because that is what he did the page before........middle school bitches....

easy guy....where are the middle school bitches? Don't think they can drive at that age....just sayin :) Must be that time of the month for you.

[BAleroS]

Okay, got some shots, and forgive me for being completely illiterate when it comes to the part names. The part that has the hood spring on it, that you can see is bent (pushing the battery back) what is this called, it's the only part I really need in order to get headlights in.

[kwhauck]

easy guy....where are the middle school bitches? Don't think they can drive at that age....just sayin :) Must be that time of the month for you.

Not sure where the middle school girls are at, ask silentalero

[kwhauck]

I would say your car actually isn't that bad...

[Truth]

I would say your car actually isn't that bad...

:agree:
it doesn't look like it'll be too terrible to repair

[Truth]

I would say your car actually isn't that bad...

:agree:
it doesn't look like it'll be too terrible to repair

[BAleroS]

No, it isn't. Shouldn't be too terrible to fix. But what is the name of the part that the hood prop rod attaches to? It's pushing on the battery I need to get that replaced and riveted back straight so I can start replacing parts.

[Nas Escobar]

That part that supports the radiator is structural.... You can take the center piece off and replace it, but you can't take off the area where the headlight goes...

Trust me on this, because I've gone through 5 header panels, 3 fenders (2 on the same side), and so on. The part that pushed the battery up is part of the chassis (watch kwhack tell me Aleros don't have a chassis either, but won't tell me what the damn thing is called).

You're going to need to bend that piece of metal out.

[BAleroS]

Is there a possibility that I could just use a cutting torch and take off the bent part, and weld on a new section from parts car? If not what would be the easiest way to bend it back out?

[billytheman1188]

Is there a possibility that I could just use a cutting torch and take off the bent part, and weld on a new section from parts car? If not what would be the easiest way to bend it back out?

lol good luck. This is not really something you can do at home....i take it you have a welder? a big hammer? a grinder....spot weld drill...some measuring skills..... that damage is pretty bad.....and NO do not cut the piece....you drill out the welds and then hammer pieces straight. As far as pulling that out some your best bet (since you don't have a frame machine) would be to get that torch and heat up the area then hammer it out as much as you can. Not only do you have to replaces that corner piece and the middle piece....you have to fix the piece that's under the battery and any other areas that are bent. LOTS of work...

[BAleroS]

And if I took it to a body shop, they would be able to fix this, how much would your estimation be for the fix?

[billytheman1188]

And if I took it to a body shop, they would be able to fix this, how much would your estimation be for the fix?

It would be pretty pricey....i'm not really good with estimates...i was always the disassembly/reassembly guy but i can tell you it will def be over $1,500 to get that pulled and new pieces welded in/painted. Then you need the headlight mounting panel, new headlights, hood, bumper cover, fender, door blended (if you want it to look perfect and not have differences in colors), then you'll need the passenger side fender blended. Prob around 2,500-3,000. If i were you i would just bring it to the body shop and have them pull it and get it all straightened for you and weld the new pieces in. Then you can have them paint the parts and you put the stuff on yourself. That will save you a little bit...lol. What did the insurance say about the car? Better off going through them if you want it fixed or if they totaled it just take the money and buy another one.

[BAleroS]

Yes sorry, I should have been more specific. I am planning on replacing everything myself. The only thing I might need the shop for is that metal piece that needs to be bent back. Was wondering how much that alone would cost.

[BAleroS]

As for insurance since I only had liability on her, and the rear most driver is always liable in a rear-end collision they aren't doing anything for it. Have to repair out of pocket

[billytheman1188]

Yes sorry, I should have been more specific. I am planning on replacing everything myself. The only thing I might need the shop for is that metal piece that needs to be bent back. Was wondering how much that alone would cost.

That metal piece is toast....so you're def gonna have to get that and the middle piece replaced. My "guess"timate would be anywhere from 800-1500 for them to pull/replace

[BAleroS]

Figured it would be pretty spendy. Ugh, not sure what to do with it, spend money to fix it, or just scrap it, I only spent 1500 on the car when I bought it. Then I had to replace all the gaskets though. so I'm 3k deep in it right now, don't really want to spend another 2k on something with 203k miles. The bad part is, it runs great! I would rather not just trash a running car!

[Nas Escobar]

Can you find a dead alero? It might be more economical for you to get a dead car and swap the parts over since you're 3k in.

[BAleroS]

Living in South Dakota kind of sucks when it comes to finding dead cars or parts... I'm about 3.5 hours away from a city that has a decent population (400k +) Most of the parts cars around here are all front end damaged and there aren't any bad engine aleros nearby. Even being in the largest city in South Dakota my options are limited.

[billytheman1188]

Living in South Dakota kind of sucks when it comes to finding dead cars or parts... I'm about 3.5 hours away from a city that has a decent population (400k +) Most of the parts cars around here are all front end damaged and there aren't any bad engine aleros nearby. Even being in the largest city in South Dakota my options are limited.

That sucks....any g/a's near by? Pretty much the same car. When i was looking for my second alero it was BAD....i mean there were a good amount of them around but pretty much all of them had rusted out qtrs or fenders or the bottom of the doors were bad. Then i found the one i have now with 1 rust spot. I imagine the rust up there is pretty bad....good luck man....hope you find another Alero (or fix the one you have now).

[BAleroS]

Thanks I appreciate it! I will do my best to either fix it or get another one.

[kwhauck]

Living in South Dakota kind of sucks when it comes to finding dead cars or parts... I'm about 3.5 hours away from a city that has a decent population (400k +) Most of the parts cars around here are all front end damaged and there aren't any bad engine aleros nearby. Even being in the largest city in South Dakota my options are limited.

:lol: you aren't looking hard enough, I live in a way less dense populated place of South Dakota, and I would have no problems findings parts/junk.....

[WIALERO]

Yeah, I am fine, airbags didn't deploy. Just angry that the other people drove off.

Jawa hooked me up with a cheap pplace to get parts here in wi if u wana drive lol look up gibsons auto salvage and call them there cheap and its a pull it yourself

[BAleroS]

I will check it out. You're right that is a drive. Also yes you're right Belle is a lot less dense population wise, I was just looking around online, didn't call any salvage yards. The hood bumper and fender won't be hard to find I have found them already actually. But that bent piece is what's killing me. Not sure what to do about it.

[falloutboy]

Ok, I think u are all lackig a nice pic and some hard info on the topic. Part numbers and names are via the Link
http://www.genmotorinfo.com/images/12/990106MN12-022.png
SHEET METAL/BODY PART 1-ENGINE COMPARTMENT & DASH - NK,NL (http://www.gmpartsgiant.com/Page_Product/PartDetail.aspx?Make=Oldsmobile&Model=Alero&Year=2003&MakeCode=O&ModelCode=N&CatalogCode=36N&eCode=LA1&tCode=MN5&mCode=3NL69&majorIndexID=12&minorIndexID=MN12-022&SortKey=9)

http://www.genmotorinfo.com/images/08/0112073N08-012.png
SHEET METAL/FRONT END (http://www.gmpartsgiant.com/Page_Product/PartDetail.aspx?Make=Oldsmobile&Model=Alero&Year=2003&MakeCode=O&ModelCode=N&CatalogCode=36N&eCode=LA1&tCode=MN5&mCode=3NL69&majorIndexID=08&minorIndexID=3N08-012&SortKey=2&ART_SUFFIX=&SupplGroup=&PartSortBy=Key)

http://www.genmotorinfo.com/images/07/9711113N07-015.png
BUMPER/FRONT (http://www.gmpartsgiant.com/Page_Product/PartDetail.aspx?Make=Oldsmobile&Model=Alero&Year=2003&MakeCode=O&ModelCode=N&CatalogCode=36N&eCode=LA1&tCode=MN5&mCode=3NL69&majorIndexID=07&minorIndexID=3N07-015&SortKey=4&PartSortBy=Key&ART_SUFFIX=&SupplGroup=)

And there is a manual on how and what structural parts are reparaible - I just have to find it again.

Now u can, pick out the numbers u need to replace and at the same time learn what the part is called.

[Nas Escobar]

Well Damn..... where did you manage to get this?

[falloutboy]

who me??
well look at the linked pages.

[falloutboy]

ahh here we go again, the collision repair manual I was looking for
http://www.genuinegmparts.com/ShowCollisionVehicle.do?make=Oldsmobile&model=Alero

or direct PDF (http://www.genuinegmparts.com/pdf/vehicles/Oldsmobile/Alero/1999-2004/00_Complete_Manual_1857KB.pdf)

[BAleroS]

You, falloutboy have just become my best friend haha! That's very helpful I appreciate it!! I was trying to find diagrams like that!

[BAleroS]

So, it's a little difficult for me to tell which part I need to get, Part #41 from picture 2, or the entire rail kit part #11 from picture 1.

[falloutboy]

your welcome :)

U may wanna open a dedicated repair thread so our body guys are more likely to see it too.

[BAleroS]

The repair thread you're talking about is the Paint and Body Work section?
Just want to make sure I post it in the correct area, so I can get the help I will need haha.

[billytheman1188]

You're better off getting another alero. Not only do you need that middle UPPER section but you need the plastic piece that goes behind the bumper cover, you need the metal piece that the plastic bumper mounts to....you need the battery tray, a new battery, clips, fender liner, fender liner clips, corner section (structural), and more.... there is SO MUCH that goes into body repair.....it's not something you can just do on the side. Save yourself the headache and look for another alero or g/a. I can see it now...it WILL be a headache for you...too many little pieces that you need to order. Good job falloutboy for those pics......those are like the ones we used at the body shop. These cars are a dime a dozen...if you can't find one right near you i'm sure you can find one relatively close. Take it from me.....you are better off starting fresh. Once you crash a car nothing is ever the same....sure you may fix it and make it look good but once it's back on the road you may run into other problems....

[falloutboy]

If u really decide on repairing the car, u are going to face major body and paint work.

U might wanna print the collisions manual out (the parts with drawing of the damaged sections) and compare what parts are damaged, which might be damaged and which ones are ok

and then check the parts diagrams to see what repair parts are available for these damaged / maybe damaged sections.

and now I am off to bed, as its almost 11:30 pm over here :eek:
good luck