I got into a minor fender bender with a jeep, rear ended it at 20mph or less, only damage were the upper ie bar of the radiator support and hood. I need your help on how to remove the upper tie bar, do I have to remove fenders, do i need to get it welded? please help me out, thanks!

 

bump? anyone with the knowledge?

 

Kinda, yes.

1. Remove f bumper.

2. Remove fenders or loosen the fender and prop the front part out so the whole upper tie bar is exposed.

3. Remove radiator/ac assy.

4. Drill out the tie bar.

5. Install tie bar and cross measure for squaredness (according to spec... or make your own... See next post). They sell just the upper tie bar.

6. Weld new tie bar in.

Be sure to cover the engine bay/windshiel/glass from weld splatter with flame retardant blankets... wool is a good choice. Keep water near by.

Remove the hood too.

 

To get the tie bar measurement.

Note: This will only work if you have a good fender.

1. Measure the fender's top bolt holes length wise from first hole to last (center to center).

2. Take that measurement and transfer it to the upper fender reinforcement and the new tie bar. The same fender hole measurement but now on the bolt/nut side. (Length wise... from windshield area to marker light area length wise)

3. Now using the same holes but measuring diagonally from rear fender bolt holes and the very front tie bar/fender holes. These are new measurements. Whatever they are (two... one from each diagonal) should be the same if the frontend is squared. If not same measurement then "Make it the same so it is squared".

Once squared lenght (fender) wise and diagonal you are ready to weld.

Note: You better be sure before welding.

So recap:

1. Length is same on both sides.

2. Diagonal measurements are same on both sides.

3. To check for proper height... place fender in proper place (line up the upper fender bolt holes to fender). Then look at the gap between the door and fender. The gap should be perfectly even.

If #1, 2, & 3 are good... then weld the tie bar.

Final note: All measurements are from center to center with a +/- 1.5 mm (about a dime size circle).

Good luck

 

I.E.

Same length measurements side to side.



Same diagonal measurements cross wise.



Plus even fender gap...

Then the frontend is squared.

 

thanks man!!! really great info!

 

Oh, one more thing. If there's a vertical center brace for the rad support, bolt that in place. That should give you the right height at the center (upper tie bar).

 

BTW: Always disconnect the battery for a minimum of half hour before doing any welding.