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Car hit while stationary, does severe tire slant = bent axle?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Thane, Dec 7, 2017.

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  1. Thane

    Thane Junior Member

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    (n)Oops, i meant brake drums, not hubs.... Sorry, i edited the post...:confused::oops::LOL:
     
    #21 Thane, Mar 23, 2018
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  2. Thane

    Thane Junior Member

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    The fuel door works a bit better now, but the roof pillar is in the way of the worst part of the damage and i will have to pull that part out from the outside. I can get behind it within the wheel well though to make the pull so thats good. I bought big drill bit to go straight through the pillar metal from the inside at first thinking to hammer through it, but i should be able to work it out since i can technically get behind it. A jack or heat with propane (i know, very carefully because of fuel...) or... maybe something inflatable maybe.

    This young guy came along the sidewalk as i was at my car the other day informing me that i should use something i think he called a "car tube", a big balloon you simply put inside your car and inflate and pushes out all the dents. NEVERMIND THE WINDOWS AND EVERYTHING ELSE!... but anyway, maybe he had a point about something inflatable to put in the wheel well behind the damage, i just don't know what it would be....

    forum1.jpg forum2.jpg forum3.jpg
     
    #22 Thane, Mar 23, 2018
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2018
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Ahh. Yeah, dang it: that would have been great.
     
    #23 Mendel Leisk, Mar 23, 2018
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  4. Thane

    Thane Junior Member

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    Added some pics to last post.
     
    #24 Thane, Mar 23, 2018
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  5. Kevin_Denver

    Kevin_Denver Active Member

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    I assume the car is driving okay now?

    If you manage to find a junkyard Prius with the same color, can replace that rear quarter panel and bumper. A pro body shop would remove the panel, then use a hydraulic puller to bend the uni-body back into place, then mount a new panel. Instead of a hydraulic puller, it's probably possible to use a tow strap, a hook, a solid object like another car's tow point, and a steel bar to torque on the tow strap. However, getting the body panel to align even decently will be a major challenge.

    In the meantime, there's two things I'd do:
    1. Sand off the surface rust, spray with rust converter, primer, and paint. Total cost is probably ~$20.
    2. Secure the bumper, so there's no chance of it hitting the wheel. Can use a drill and some self tapping metal screws.
     
    #25 Kevin_Denver, Mar 23, 2018
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2018
  6. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Mendel, it looks like a 2004 with drum brakes on the rear. Between the wheel studs there are two drilled and tapped holes that are used as jacking bolts to remove the drum off of the hub.
     
    #26 padroo, Mar 23, 2018
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  7. Thane

    Thane Junior Member

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    Yeah, 1 and 2 are definitely on the list. I did road test it on the freeway after securing the bumper down and i couldn't notice any difference in performance. I tried taking my hands off the wheel while going straight and it seemed to be the same as ever.

    If only i had a garage and a job, i'd love to buy the tools necessary to do the quarter panel job myself. I was in autobody for 3 years, although mostly the painting side of things a helped guys doing quarters all day long when painting/prepping was slow. Its a big job, but pretty straight forward.
     
    #27 Thane, Mar 23, 2018
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  8. Gino Veltri

    Gino Veltri Member

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    I realize this was many years ago but can you elaborate on the rear "axle" bend you found? I thihnk i have a similar thing to repair but i can find nothing bent.
     
    #28 Gino Veltri, Apr 13, 2023
  9. Thane

    Thane Junior Member

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    Two
    I apologize that im just seeing this now. I switched emails for one that doesn't track me and haven't checked it until now. Anyway, the wheel itself was off center, thats all I can remember. It was pretty obvious visually. If you were driving it like this, the car would probably have a massive vibration going down the road with a lot of noise too.

    Best of luck to you.
     
    #29 Thane, Apr 18, 2023
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