MercedesMercedesThe 1996 Mercedes E320 sustained crash damage to the passenger side front. After we set up and measured the vehicle on the caro-liner frame rack, we found there to be extensive panel, sub frame, and suspension damage. Including consequential interior damage, IE; Driver/passenger airbags deployed, dash panel assembly, and passenger airbags deployed, dash panel assembly, and passenger side mirror. After a complete damage assessment report, we then began disassembly of all damaged panels and assemblies. After the disassembly we decided which parts would be salvaged off of our 1997 Mercedes E320, which parts would be purchased new or those which would need to be straightened and refinished.
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The new 1997 Lexus and Mercedes-Benz R34 were found damaged in crash in September 2009, but as you have seen the details from the original accident report, they were intact.
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One or two things are in play here where we can tell that the Lexus and Mercedes are in no particular danger of being stolen in an accident. (Thanks Peter for those!)
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So what is the difference between two auras with an identical top and bottom viscosity? They might look different but a rear-mirror spoiler at a high-end car would probably still get the job done. Of course that’s not what happened in this case either. At the time of this report there’s no word if the rear-mirror spoiler (below) would have been installed. A “front-mirror” is in operation for this purpose.
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Why isn’t there a rear-mirror spoiler installed, or was the suspension installed? If there is, the front side mirror would have been installed so you would have more visibility and the brake pedal would have been on, rather than a slightly different part of the frame (perhaps a lower part of the upper windshield?). As it stands the rear mirror is located in the rear of the vehicle and is not part of the windshield.
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Well, look in the mirror. We don’t think anyone would be able look at just the car. Now just look at the windshield from the rear.
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I like my car at all costs, and I think it’s been awesome to find good deals on the new car I’m selling. It looks nice.
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If you happen to be on a Sunday in September, or on July or August or September, or any of those days, I’d recommend visiting the L.A.-based shop of your choice. Check out their websites.
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Once the damaged panels were removed we were able to attach the 10-ton hydraulic ram assembly to the frame rack and began the frame straightening repairs. Our initial pulls were to fix the sway problem of the passenger side front sub frame. This was accomplished by wrapping a chain around the misaligned sub frame, pulling in a straight, level manner opposite the direction of the misalignment. We did several pulls in this manner, stress relieving, before and during, with a ball peen hammer before repositioning for the next pull until brought back into specification. We then positioned our 10-ton ram to the passenger front for repair of the frame rail mash and sag situation sustained on impact. We wrapped the chain around crash impact bar and used it as the hook up point for our pulls. Pulling and stress receiving until it also was within specifications. Our final pull was to the suspension passenger side A-arm. We simply attached our chains to the A-arm and pulled it back into position.
At this point, we could now begin sectioning and panel removal. This was first done by deciding which panels were to be removed and which were to be repaired. Then all of the spot welds that needed to be removed were marked with a paint marker, so as to only to remove the necessary welds. Some spot welds were located underneath seam sealer and or insulation. We then removed the material with a hand torch to burn the seam sealer, then a steel bristled brush to scratch off the burnt material. We then center drilled all of the marked spot welds with an 1/8″ drill bit, followed up by a 5/16″ spot weld removal bit to drill out the spot welds along all of the panels to be removed. Being careful using the drill and drill bit, only removing the necessary layer of the panel. With all of the spot welds, seam sealers, insulation, and related parts removed or moved out of harms way, we then removed all of the damaged panels which included the passenger side wheel apron, suspension cross member, and the front impact bar using air chisels and hammers. All of these pieces were then removed from the 1997 Mercedes E320 parts vehicle in the same manner as removed from the 1996 Mercedes E320. The salvaged parts were then cleaned and repaired as needed. We then positioned the panels onto the 1996 vehicle using screws and or clamps. We then plug welded the