Straightening Front Support Bar?

[Rob H.]

Hey there - I am looking for some much needed advice. I recently had someone driving a large SUV back into my '69 L36. Amongst other damage it caused, was that it bent the front support bar. My mechanic was able to bend it back, but I am concerned that it will now be a weak and should be replaced. I was always under the assumption that any time you bend metal it becomes weak and subject to breaking. Any thoughts?

[Joe L.]

Re: Straightening Front Support Bar?

Hey there - I am looking for some much needed advice. I recently had someone driving a large SUV back into my '69 L36. Amongst other damage it caused, was that it bent the front support bar. My mechanic was able to bend it back, but I am concerned that it will now be a weak and should be replaced. I was always under the assumption that any time you bend metal it becomes weak and subject to breaking. Any thoughts?

Rob-----


I'm not exactly sure which piece you're referring to. However, if you're referring to the "V"-shaped, bolt-on forward crossmember, that piece is available new in reproduction. If I had a bent one and I didn't have an NOS example "waiting in the wings", I'd buy a new reproduction.

[Rob H.]

Re: Straightening Front Support Bar?

Hey Joe - It's the piece that holds the headlights on and maintains the shape of the front fiberglass...hope that helps.

[Paul J.]

Re: Straightening Front Support Bar?

Hey there - I am looking for some much needed advice. I recently had someone driving a large SUV back into my '69 L36. Amongst other damage it caused, was that it bent the front support bar. My mechanic was able to bend it back, but I am concerned that it will now be a weak and should be replaced. I was always under the assumption that any time you bend metal it becomes weak and subject to breaking. Any thoughts?

Rob,

Metal actually goes through strain hardening when it is bent. In the case of your accident, it went through this by the cold working done by the SUV. When your mechanic bent it back, he also cold worked it. The finished product should actually be stronger not weaker. Now having said that, you can overwork the metal and fatigue it which would make it weaker, but that should not have occurred in your case. However, you probably would'nt notice any difference either way. I think that you should be more concerned with your mechanic's ability to get the bar support perfectly straight.

Paul

[Rob H.]

Re: Straightening Front Support Bar?

Paul -

Thanks a lot for the info. Ideally, I obviously want to keep all the original parts I can. That being said, I don't want to do so at the expense of mechanical failure. Your insight helps with that decision.

Best,
Rob

[Joe L.]

Re: Straightening Front Support Bar?

Paul -

Thanks a lot for the info. Ideally, I obviously want to keep all the original parts I can. That being said, I don't want to do so at the expense of mechanical failure. Your insight helps with that decision.

Best,
Rob

Rob-----


I don't think there's any doubt that the piece will be strong enough after straightening. However, the real problem is getting it as straight as it needs to be. With bent sheet metal pieces, getting them back to their exact, original configuration can be quite daunting.