Front end frame repair

[SurplusFan98]

What do you guys do to straighten out the end of the frame rail after an accident? I have replacement front bumper mounts, but I actually want to get the rail close to the proper shape again. I bought the jeep with a dented in bumper and I've not done much body work at all.

 

[RCP Phx]

That is repaired by pulling it back straight. Looks pretty straight forward, good and easy fix!

 

[SurplusFan98]

That is repaired by pulling it back straight. Looks pretty straight forward, good and easy fix!

Right. I guess it's hard to see from the pictures. The spot where the rearmost bolt holding the bumper bracket on is caved in pretty good. To pop that out flush with the rest of the unibody, are you using like a bolt and rachet strap to pull it out, or are you getting inside the rail with a crowbar and prying out? Or both? Will I need heat? I'm willing to try some stuff but idk if someone knows the best way.

 

[Phil]

Seems like the sheet metal will get compromised after bending and straightening and you could consider getting it as straight as practical with bolts and hammers and then get something like the SBS https://jksmfg.com/collections/cher...forcement-plates-cherokee-xj-and-comanchee-mj

 

[RCP Phx]

Right. I guess it's hard to see from the pictures. The spot where the rearmost bolt holding the bumper bracket on is caved in pretty good. To pop that out flush with the rest of the unibody, are you using like a bolt and rachet strap to pull it out, or are you getting inside the rail with a crowbar and prying out? Or both? Will I need heat? I'm willing to try some stuff but idk if someone knows the best way.

A rachet strap wouldn't even come close? First can you weld/fabricate? Second would be frame shop price to evaluate your options and how perfect you want the repair?

 

[SurplusFan98]

A rachet strap wouldn't even come close? First can you weld/fabricate? Second would be frame shop price to evaluate your options and how perfect you want the repair?

I have a welder but not much time on it yet. I'm guessing your suggestion is to cut it out, flatten it, and weld it back in? I don't know that is trust myself to do that on my own yet, but if that's the way it's done, a welder's time might be cheaper than a body shop.

 

[RCP Phx]

No the welder is to build a mechanical puller/pusher!

 

[SurplusFan98]

No the welder is to build a mechanical puller/pusher!

Oh really? Can you describe or link to a video?

 

[RCP Phx]

Not unless you can fing a USB port on my skull!

 

[SurplusFan98]

Not unless you can fing a USB port on my skull!

Lol

 

[RCP Phx]

It would take 150$ or more in steel! Built many of tools for this purpose.

 

[RCP Phx]

Think of a,screw jack that pushes and pulls at the same time.

 

[andjones]

That's easily repaired with a hammer some scrap steel and maybe some heat. Remove the bumper bracket and straighten it separately. Hammer the frame end back straight. You may need to heat the 90 degree corner of the core support. Bolt a piece of steel angle or channel to the recessed frame nut and lever that out flat. Shouldn't take more than an hour. Use the heaviest hammer you have or go buy one.

 

[Bent]

That's easily repaired with a hammer some scrap steel and maybe some heat. Remove the bumper bracket and straighten it separately. Hammer the frame end back straight. You may need to heat the 90 degree corner .

Heat was the first thing that came to mind for me as well. Definitely alleviate cracking the steel at the current bend in it.

 

[SurplusFan98]

That's easily repaired with a hammer some scrap steel and maybe some heat. Remove the bumper bracket and straighten it separately. Hammer the frame end back straight. You may need to heat the 90 degree corner of the core support. Bolt a piece of steel angle or channel to the recessed frame nut and lever that out flat. Shouldn't take more than an hour. Use the heaviest hammer you have or go buy one.

I have a map gas torch. That going to be enough heat?

 

[RCP Phx]

Get those bumpers brackets off and clean up the area. Take a new Pic specially focusing on any folds/creases.

 

[Tim_MN]

I fixed two that were worse than that, one Green 98 and one Black 97. A big effing hammer should be enough, then add some factory or aftermarket bumper reinforcements, and new or junkyard bumper brackets. The need for cutting, welding, mechanical pushing/pulling or heat is unlikely. If you do need some light pulling, an auto body slide hammer should be adequate.


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On the Black 97 that hit a tree dead center, I replaced the cross-member and hammered the frame rail ends back into alignment.

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[andjones]

I have a map gas torch. That going to be enough heat?

Map or propane is fine. You only need to heat it if it doesn't move by hammer persuasion.