98 s70 - busted front body, broke, looking for DIY solutions Topic is solved

Dualhammers · Post by **Dualhammers** » 27 Feb 2017, 11:49

Photos of damage:https://goo.gl/photos/MTSbhUfwe44pBNsS7

Got side-swiped three weeks ago. Body shop said the car seems fine minus the bumper, side panel and lights. They totaled out the car, however, because they estimated $4,000 for the repairs, so the insurance gave me the car and $3,200.

Problem is right now I'm between jobs and I need the car drive able to get one. I'd prefer to not junk a perfectly good car for want of money but I need both headlights running so I can drive.

I've tried searching the repair database and can't find anything that comes close to my issue. Any suggestions on other places to search for solutions?

Post by **benpineapple** » 27 Feb 2017, 11:59

bummer, sorry to hear about the crash. glad to hear you had collision coverage.

if you want to fix your car, i'd say find a pick n pull that has a s/v70 in good enough shape to use the front end of it. basically take everything broken off your car, so you can figure out what all isn't usable. in taking apart your car first, you'll get the hang of how everything goes together, which will also help when pulling stuff from a pick n pull. by the looks of it, you'll have to do quite a bit if finagling on the PS quarterpanel, and in general a lot of monkeying around. doesn't seem as bad as a hit like that could have been. if you want to keep the car, and have the time, i'd say fix it.

a to your specific question, i'm not aware of a front end rebuild tutorial, but that doesn't mean you're on your own. post questions when you have 'em, and we'll help you out. perhaps someone has a rebuild thread of theirs that isn't in the VRD who can chime in here with a link.

Post by **scot850** » 27 Feb 2017, 14:20

First thing I'd do is get an alignment check to ensure the front end and sub-frame are straight to build off. Trouble with the side hits is it can bend stuff you can't see and break things you won't find until later.

Looking at the damage you look like you have to bend front fenders, a bent front bumper and a broken slam panel. Surprisingly your hood looks ok. There is inner fender damage too but hard to see from the pictures how bad.

Pick n pull/salvage yard is your friend here, but looking for detailed descriptions may be difficult to find.

It looked like a really nice car prior to damage. Bummer!

Neil.

Post by **FLXC90** » 27 Feb 2017, 16:19

I suggest you start a dialog with user bmdubya1198, as he recently fixed similar if not worse damage to a similar car. His threads showed lots of pics of dismantling, fixing and results. pm'ing may help get more detail and instruction. Also, there are lots of Volvo guys in your area-do some networking, ask around for help (check local clubs and other for a to find these guys)

Edit, other method, buy a beater, and move good stuff over to it as a shorter-term fix

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 27 Feb 2017, 17:36

Thanks for the shoutout, FLXC90! Haha
This doesn't look as bad as mine was, but similar damage. The inner fender could probably be banged out pretty easily with a good heavy hammer. My fender was a lot worse, and the car still drives straight as an arrow.
From what I can tell, you'll need a driver's side headlight, passenger side turn signal, passenger fender, bumper cover, that radiator support/fan shroud piece, and the hood looks pretty far forward for some reason. My hood hinges were both bent outward in the center, and I used a ratchet strap to pull them back together. It worked well. It would be worth checking the hinges out.
Luckily that damage is more on the side, so you probably don't have to worry about broken wires in the harness from the ECU box.
Feel free to check out my thread, I have lots of pictures and information on my rebuild. viewtopic.php?t=71579

I would get all of those parts from the local pull a part or whatever you have where you are. Also check Craigslist for people parting out their cars. I got lucky and a forum member here was parting out his V70 at the same time I bought mine.
I spent about $500 total in parts to rebuild the car. Doesn't look like you had airbags go off, so that will save you a lot.

Post by **abscate** » 27 Feb 2017, 19:47

I think I still have the left side headlight and turn signal from my parted out 99

Dualhammers · Post by **Dualhammers** » 08 Mar 2017, 15:02

Checking in! Starting at Starbucks has taken a lot of time. Thanks for all the help. Right now I'm focused on picking up enough hours to pay rent. I will keep this thread updated as I follow the advice listed.

Going to get an alignment check done first and check out pick and parts.

Post by **cn90** » 09 Mar 2017, 05:53

As others said, the damage is not bad at all.
Junk yard is a good place to start.

skloon · Post by **skloon** » 09 Mar 2017, 10:20

I would check out the local picknpull type auto wreckers- ROW52.com will allow you to search the local ones and has pictures- handy so you don't drive for an hour only to find the same damage your car has or buy one like this https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/6023541294.html offer 250 and you have all you need plus spares

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 09 Mar 2017, 10:53

skloon wrote:I would check out the local picknpull type auto wreckers- ROW52.com will allow you to search the local ones and has pictures- handy so you don't drive for an hour only to find the same damage your car has or buy one like this https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/6023541294.html offer 250 and you have all you need plus spares

Great find, skloon! This is totally the way to go.