Car Accident - Can this be self repaired?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by KitsuneVoss, Dec 13, 2024.

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  1. KitsuneVoss

    KitsuneVoss Member

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    I have a 2009 Prius and I was clipped last night and took some front end damage.
    Took some pictures and uploading a video to YouTube

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    https://youtube.com/shorts/Q93tXu_kfW4?feature=share

    The car does drive straight because drove it for a short distance (several miles) but there is what looks like an anti-freeze leak on the driver's side. No airbag deployment. I was likely going less than 5 mph when it happened. Waiting on the insurance company right now as well.
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Yeah you can do anything you want to buddy It's your car I would say it looks like a lot of that is bolt on when you get the bolt on stuff off see what's bent stuff that doesn't bolt on that's bent generally these cars are pretty well built You can straighten them out right in the driveway may not look like brand new but hey you can buy a whole rolling chassis and move all your parts to the thing for $500 on up of course I know the idea here is to not spend anything and have your car back but you know those days are over for me kind of that's why I drive these old cars because I can get as many as I want for almost whatever I want to pay everybody should be able to when cars are this age.
     
  3. KitsuneVoss

    KitsuneVoss Member

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    Not so much worried about permission but if there is anything unrepairable at home which it looks like your response is that I can repair it myself.

    I have a pretty new battery so my second option of course is to get a 2003 to 2009 with a dead battery.

    I think I am currently looking at 400 to 500 in parts if I can repair it.

    Thinking bumper (Unless a 2001 bumper fits because I have one in my shed) , bumper cover, one head light, air intake resonator, radiator. One of the horn modules broke off although the module itself looks okay, just a littl rusty.
    Thinking I might need a come-along to straighten the fender by attaching it to a tree.

    I am wondering where the front air bag sensor are and what they looks like?
     
    #3 KitsuneVoss, Dec 13, 2024
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2024
  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    The biggest challenge is where the front metal bumper is bolted into place on the passenger side. If you can use a come along or winch to ensure those bolt holes line up with used replacement bumper the rest of the job should be fairly easy with just bending stuff back by hand and modifying failed fastener points to work again. I wouldn't spend much time or money on it till you're sure that those bumper bolts are taken care of.
     
  5. KitsuneVoss

    KitsuneVoss Member

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    My plan is to see if I can get the bumper back in place before I spend any money beyond maybe getting a come along.
    One of my concerns is if I can get the bumper supports back in proper place.
    I don't know if the radiator has shifted as well an may no longer be straight or if it is an illusion.
     
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  6. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

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    What if "Murphy's Law", your $500 estimate turns into $1500?

    If the damage is isolated to the frame horns, sure it could be DIY fixed.
    But, a come-along and a tree, well that's unique:)

    I'd write your first step is to remove the parts on the front end to clearly see the impact damage.
    That should answer the radiator shifting question and offer repair plan insights.

    Good luck :)
     
  7. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    A come along and TWO trees because tires might not hold the car in place if you have to bend it a lot.

    In auto body shops they have anchors in the concrete floor that you attach the chains to.
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

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    I'd definitely wait till they get back to you; what sort of coverage do you have?
     
  9. KitsuneVoss

    KitsuneVoss Member

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    Full coverage but I totaled her out last year by a deer and then fully repaired her myself. Deer damage was effectively purely cosmetic. Plan right now is hoping they give me enough for another Prius from an owner. Not having a good feeling about the repair. Either don't tell them I am keeping the battery or swap out for a junk yard battery.
     
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  10. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

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    The damage is peculiar. It looks like the OP's car was hammered straight in from the side right on the end of the bumper, but without touching the passenger side wheel, fender or headlight.

    It looks to me like the entire front bumper is shifted 6" to 12" towards the driver's side, and the two parts of the body to which it is bolted (frame horns?) are both bent 45 (?) degrees or so towards the driver's side. I looked in the repair manual and Toyota doesn't use the term "frame horn", and I couldn't find the appropriate section describing it. However, on EM-88 there is a diagram showing that component which looks like maybe it is bolted onto something rather than welded on. So if that is the case, and the thing it is bolted to is not also bent, which is a pretty big if, then perhaps both sides can just be unbolted from the car and parts from a junkyard bolted back on instead. I have no idea what squishy bits may have been damaged, but there is supposed to be a big white plastic thing sort of behind/under the passenger side headlight, and I don't see it. Resonator?

    Some pictures from underneath, looking up at the structural components would help. That said, I suspect that there is too much front end damage to justify trying to repair this. The car is likely "J shaped" now, with the big offsets we can see, but smaller ones farther back. Perhaps a body shop would give you an analysis of the damage for not too much money?
     
  11. KitsuneVoss

    KitsuneVoss Member

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    There is some dispute about what happened. I honestly could be wrong but I did not think my nose stuck out from the median when suddenly a car struck her almost in the very nose in a side swipe. Could be that they were hugging the median, That is what the oddball damage.
     
  12. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

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    The side of the other car did this? Does that other car now have an enormous gash at bumper height running down the entire side?
     
  13. KitsuneVoss

    KitsuneVoss Member

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    Pretty close unfortunately.
     
  14. KitsuneVoss

    KitsuneVoss Member

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    A couple of new thoughts. I don't know if I can do the frame work but wondering if I might go to a frame shop and only get the frame straightened out? If the frame is straightened, I am almost certain I can replace the bumper and other minor damage myself.
     
  15. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

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    Maybe? They can at least tell you what else, if anything, is bent. It may be that the place where the frame horn bolts on needs to be repaired - the metal may have been deformed by the same force that bent the horns 45 degrees.
     
  16. KitsuneVoss

    KitsuneVoss Member

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    Since the car was totaled once, they are unwilling to offer as much money
    About 3200 if we keep the car
    About 3600 if we only keep the battery (Battery is months old and came direct from Toyota)
    About 3900 if they get the car

    Tempted to keep the whole car as a part's car but considering just keeping the battery
    Have a couple of possible Prius for sale as replacements

    Which option would you take if it is your vehicle?