Need to fix 94 Corolla - Thoughts

[trajendra_babu]

I got my nicely running 1994 Corolla DX into an accident, its too expensive to get it fixed by a professional. So, can I replace the following items myself:

1. Hood and front bumper (I think I can handle these)
2. Radiator and Radiator support
3. AC condenser

I am handy when it comes to fixing anything. Never done any major work on any automobile though. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance

[integraGSR]

Originally Posted by trajendra_babu

2. Radiator and Radiator support

you can probably get the other done easily, but with the radiator support, you will need to cut the old one out and weld a new one on.

[LifeTech]

The radiater support will be the hurdle for sure and to replace it ,it must be carefully spot welded to specs. Depending how perfect yu want this car is a personal opinion. Since it is a total loss as yu describe, Yu might be able to rent a frame puller and pull most of the original radiator support close enough to spec. Must be no more than 1/4 inch off in any dimension.

The rest yu can do. I did some light damage to my 88 corolla and did exactly this. Ironically it was totalled out by crash estimate guides. But I was in the A/B business for some time and borrowed some of the tools and used the facility for several hours here and there.

But yu can do it. I was able to use the car for many years later. No it was not perfect and anyone with a keen eye would notice it was repaired.

But it was just smart transportation in any event. Car lasted me 18 years in all. Bought new.\
Good luck
LT

[kathyricks]

To replace the AC condenser and recharge the AC system would require acquiring a vacuum pump to draw a deep vacuum on the AC system before adding new refrigerant.

[dannyboy]

Originally Posted by LifeTech

The radiater support will be the hurdle for sure and to replace it ,it must be carefully spot welded to specs. Depending how perfect yu want this car is a personal opinion. Since it is a total loss as yu describe, Yu might be able to rent a frame puller and pull most of the original radiator support close enough to spec. Must be no more than 1/4 inch off in any dimension.

The rest yu can do. I did some light damage to my 88 corolla and did exactly this. Ironically it was totalled out by crash estimate guides. But I was in the A/B business for some time and borrowed some of the tools and used the facility for several hours here and there.

But yu can do it. I was able to use the car for many years later. No it was not perfect and anyone with a keen eye would notice it was repaired.

But it was just smart transportation in any event. Car lasted me 18 years in all. Bought new.\
Good luck
LT

Cheaper yet- if you can get come-along and secure it to something solid like a large tree, gently put traction on the parts to be straightened, and use a dead blow hammer to shape, with the pressure applied. That is very similar to what a frame machine does. I actually straightened the frame on my neices car by doing this after she got t-boned by a hit and run driver.