Time for an attempt...

[korai9989]

Didn't know where to put this, so I guess it applies to this forum best...

I am headed out to do a little work on the car. I wanted to have a thread so I can go through my tedious process, post updates, get information and help, etc.

I am going to be repairing some damage to the front left corner, fitting a new headlight in the same corner (got it yesterday - perfect condition - $39). I will probably be changing my front brake pads (new Bendix High Performance Ceramic pads w/ lifetime warranty) while i have the tire off if I have time and don't get too lazy. I also got some spray stuff that changes light rust into a black primer.

My digital camera is currently 700+ miles away (being shipped here today), and I don't when I'll get that. Unfortunately, I won't be able to take any new pictures today, unless I pull out my dad's old .5 MP Sony Mavica, haha. I don't know, maybe.

I do have a picture that I took of the damage back in November:
http://www.untouchablesolutions.com/images/crash_1.jpg

Well, here goes...

EDIT:
Done! I have all of the pictures posted below...

[Gun5]

hope to see a new reborn hyundai! :) GL

[korai9989]

Yeah, me too. I don't have the new fender or the splash guard yet... still looking for the best prices, waiting on funds, etc.

Ok, update...

Removed both headlights (busted and right side). I removed the right side so I can see how to shape the metal behind it. I also removed all of the old factory intake components I was too lazy to do before. I also took out the battery, which was wedged in pretty good from the damage. I have removed the fender and am about to start working with it, but I am inside looking for a hat to cover my ears.

More to come...

Also, I got out my dad's old camera, and I will snap some shots after the battery charges.

[05xd]

Whoa,looks like a task there buddy.Good luck with er

[robs02elantra]

Yeah, definately...good luck with that.

[korai9989]

Ok, break time! Got my hamburger off the grill, and I finally get out of the cold.

Last thing I was doing was trying to remove the bumper cover. I was having trouble removing the screws that are actually in the grill of the cover, still haven't gotten em. Some of the [plastic] screws were also stripped. Previous owner must have tried to remove them. I just want to get it all ready to start with the hammering in the morning. My goal right now is to just get that damn bumper cover off.

It is quite a task... and thanks for all the luck, definitely.

Also, if there is anyone nearby in upstate New York that wants to come and help, PLEASE DO!!

[Gun5]

Use a hammer bash it off, not like ur gonna reuse it

[korai9989]

Well, I know, but I don't have a replacement for it. I would like to be able to temporarily put it back on...

11:29 PM EST Update:

I got the bumper cover off, as well as everything I listed before. It started to snow, so I covered everything up and I will pick up with it tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I plan to take the hood and my SRI off. The hood so I can fix it, and the intake so I have room to swing at the side curtain.

Harry - Where are you when I need this kind of help? Haha.

[korai9989]

Update: 1:35 PM EST

I have most of the side curtain molded into a workable shape. It's not pretty by any means, but it will hold a headlight straight and the fender when I get one. In other words... it'll do it's job and you won't see it anyways. I took some pictures with a lot of the stuff disassembled before I started hacking away, and I will take some more pictures when I get it straightened as best I can.

[korai9989]

UPDATE: 10:00 PM EST

I have finished a lot today... I am going to play with the fender to make it look 'better' until I get a new one. I managed to dig out an old Sony Mavica my dad had and got some pictures for y'all:

Before:
http://www.untouchablesolutions.com/images/crash_1.jpg

Before (Disassembled):
http://www.untouchablesolutions.com/images/damage_repair/mvc-002x.jpg

Before (Disassembled):
http://www.untouchablesolutions.com/images/damage_repair/mvc-003x.jpg

Before (Disassembled):
http://www.untouchablesolutions.com/images/damage_repair/mvc-004x.jpg

Before (Disassembled):
http://www.untouchablesolutions.com/images/damage_repair/mvc-005x.jpg

Before (Disassembled):
http://www.untouchablesolutions.com/images/damage_repair/mvc-006x.jpg

After (Disassembled):
http://www.untouchablesolutions.com/images/damage_repair/mvc-007x.jpg

After (Disassembled):
http://www.untouchablesolutions.com/images/damage_repair/mvc-008x.jpg

After (w/o fender):
http://www.untouchablesolutions.com/images/damage_repair/mvc-009x.jpg

After (w/o fender):
http://www.untouchablesolutions.com/images/damage_repair/mvc-010x.jpg

I won't put the fender back on until tomorrow...

The bumper cover looks like it's hanging low on the driver's side because... it is! It will sit in it's normal space once it is attached to the fender. Most of the splash guard broke off and is... where ever, haha. The hood will also be either replaced (HOPEFULLY!!!) or repaired professionally. I just straightened it back out to sit on the headlight correctly.

[evan938]

wow. do you have any training in metal work or were you just able to do that?

[jeffv1970]

It is going to need same frame time, I bet alignment is screwed.
The front core support is crushed pretty good, along with inner fender support along with the tower being out of wack.
Good luck

[korai9989]

Supposedly it is aligned normally. There is no pull in the steering wheel, and I've had the tires rotated and balanced twice since it happened. I will have all of that looked into, but the towers seem right on mark.

oh, evan, I've never done anything like that before... luckily I didn't f*** it up more. haha.

The front will hopefully get some professional attention some time, but sure as hell won't be now. I hope somebody plows into that corner, muahahaa

Oh and I forgot... I got some small, rust-resistant bolts, washers, and nuts to replace all of those little plastic button-like things holding the bumper cover on... that was a big plus IMO.

[menallychllngd]

looking good.....seems like a lot of work.

[SCROOGE]

You have done a good job straighting it out. By the way what did you hit??

[korai9989]

Somebody's tail end, haha. I merged into heavy, tight traffic, and the person in front of me was too close to the person in front of them.. so the braking chain ended when the guy in front of me slammed the brakes. I tried to avoid it by braking hard and turning onto the highway on-ramp, but he was too close.

Thanks, btw. I tried as best as I could.

[Keyan]

Now that the frame is all weak from bending and everything, you better get a high quality strut bar...and I don't mean RRM!

[korai9989]

Any suggestions?

[korai9989]

Ok, I finished everything I was planning to to that corner for now! I tried to take some pictures, but it's too dark and all of the pictures turned out horrible.

So, the fender is back on and a lot straighter than it was... I will post some pictures in the morning.

^^^ Does anybody have any suggestions for a good, high quality front strut bar?

Tomorrow I will also be putting on my new Bendix High Performance Ceramic Brake Pads ;)

[korai9989]

Ok, here are the pictures I have of 'my' finished product. This will tie me over until I'm done saving for a new bumper cover, new fender, new hood...

http://www.untouchablesolutions.com/images/damage_repair/mvc-011x.jpg
http://www.untouchablesolutions.com/images/damage_repair/mvc-014x.jpg
http://www.untouchablesolutions.com/images/damage_repair/mvc-013x.jpg

[ricerrx7]

Looks alot better than when you started. Good job!

[yamaha]

You did some damn good work on that, im impressed.

[korai9989]

Thanks a lot! Now I just need those new parts haha...

I have a question... should I get replacement parts for that corner, considering it's been weakened?

[SoulReaver]

Not a bad touch up for what happen and what it looked like before... been through the same thing...

[04GTboySC]

not a bad touch up job very nice good luck getting the parts

[menallychllngd]

looks awesome.....are you putting a new fender on or just bondoing the hell out of that one. you might befine with filling it. the same goes for the bumper. i would just fix that one instead of buying a new one. just order some clear marker lights. looking pretty good though.

[korai9989]

I am definitely getting a new fender, it is bent to hell, no matter how decent i tried to make it look. i might get a new bumper cover, but it could be fixable with some fiberglass filler or something, because there's some chipping... as far as the hood is concerned, I want to replace it for two reason, preference of a new hood, and the fact that it is actually buckled in the middle, looks odd from an angle, eesh

[menallychllngd]

go c/f for the hood it is the same price. it was actually 5 bills cheaper for me. then you don't have to paint it. keep the cover and use some marine epoxy. thats supposed to be fine for filling plastic. keep up the good work. headlights look great by the way

[fgummett]

is it just the light or is your door pushed in as well? I had an "argument" with a tree reversing out the driveway and was able to make it fairly presentable after taking the inside door trim off and using a long peice of wood and some judicious pressure to pop the dent back out.

[Tseug]

Where did you get your hands on the $39.00 headlamp enclosure??? :bowdown:

The front picture of the two enclosures really shows the difference between the new and old (faded a bit). For that price, you should get the pass. side headlamp too.

[korai9989]

EBAY!!! It was OEM Hyundai part too, from user: 'hicksairbagcovers'

it was packaged very well, and was at my door on the second day after it was shipped, and it was shipped the morning after i ordered!!!

http://stores.ebay.com/Hicks-Airbag-Covers_W0QQsspagenameZL2QQtZkm

i am very much considering a c/f hood, would it look good on a black car?

i am more into a uniform color for the whole car, but according to some guy at an auto place i went to, painting c/f black will be ok, other colors don't show very well, only look tinted. if it looks good enough with a black car, i'll leave it c/f

btw menallychllngd, where did you get your c/f hood?

is it just the light or is your door pushed in as well? I had an "argument" with a tree reversing out the driveway and was able to make it fairly presentable after taking the inside door trim off and using a long peice of wood and some judicious pressure to pop the dent back out.
actually it is, that is from a different occasion when my mom was driving it and had an arguement with a waist high concrete pole she couldn't see. it messed up the rocker and the back door as well... the front door frame is actually bent and has to be replaced :(

the attached picture is pre-front damage days, back in october when i joined this site...

i will get another headlight, because i want to do the angel eyes mod, but i might wait and get a pair of chrome headlights... don't know yet...

[fgummett]

actually it is, that is from a different occasion when my mom was driving it and had an argument with a waist high concrete pole she couldn't see. it messed up the rocker and the back door as well... the front door frame is actually bent and has to be replaced :(

OUCH..! Like I said, if you take off the inner door trim (takes me about 5 minutes now) and use maybe a 5ft 2x4 or a wooden broom handle (I used a canoe paddle!) you can get some leverage between the door's outer skin and internals. Don't pull/push too hard against the window mechanism etc... but then you don't need to as the outer skin is pretty thin. If you work around you may be lucky and get the bulk of the dent to just pop back out. Not 100% but it could look better. :cool:

[korai9989]

yeah, i tried with a broomstick before and the dent did pop out, but it just popped back in, haha

the dent used to stretch from that big dimple all the way to under the door handle, but i popped some of it out... (before that picture was taken)

how hard is it to replace that rocker, cause it's f***ed