|
|
Post by drivenmad on Feb 4, 2010 9:35:50 GMT -6
I've decided to NOT part out my Aurora, instead, I have decided to try to have it repaired. I have been researching the damage since I wrecked it and I think it's the best way. I found a full suspension for $125 and that is the major part that needs fixed to get it on the road. The rest is body damage and will need to find a rear bumper cover with all reflectors included, as well as, the plastic pieces that go in the wheel well. I also need a rear drivers side door with a working window. I don't care what color they are, just need to be in good condition. I have found everything on eBay, except for the plastic piece for the rear bumper. The doors are kind of expensive, too, and I would like to find a cheaper one if I could.
Also, I have a question for anyone who is a body man. How hard is it to fix a door jamb that has been smashed in? Is it possible to pull it out with a chain or something? Can it be puttied? Also, how are the metal pieces holding the bumper in place (under the tail lights) removed?
I have heard, in order to remove the suspension, that the gas tank needs taken off? But, that would also include removing the exhaust?
Any advice?
FYI, I am not doing this myself. I contact the auto body instructor at the local VoTech and he said the students don't work on vehicles older than 10 years old (what a bummer) but, if I was interested he could help me do it at his place over the summer. I sent him an email the other day, but I am still waiting for his reply.
|
|
bobsblue95
Super Moderator 
Scars of pleasure, scars of pain. Atmospheric changes make you sensitive again.
Posts: 3,125
Staff Member
|
Post by bobsblue95 on Feb 4, 2010 13:00:21 GMT -6
... I have a question for anyone who is a body man. How hard is it to fix a door jamb that has been smashed in? Is it possible to pull it out with a chain or something? Can it be puttied?. I'm no body man, but from what I've seen it's usually better and possibly easier to just cut it out and weld in an identical section from another car. Got any salvage yards nearby? Make sure you take pictures as you go! Good luck! |
|
|
|
Post by drivenmad on Feb 4, 2010 14:03:12 GMT -6
... I have a question for anyone who is a body man. How hard is it to fix a door jamb that has been smashed in? Is it possible to pull it out with a chain or something? Can it be puttied?. I'm no body man, but from what I've seen it's usually better and possibly easier to just cut it out and weld in an identical section from another car. Got any salvage yards nearby? Make sure you take pictures as you go! Good luck! Yeah, I figured that would be the only way. There is only ONE salvage yard that has an 95-99 Oldsmobile Auroras. They have three. One isnt worth a damn because the damage is in the same area. Wouldn't it be hard to cut off a piece of metal in a salvage yard? especially since these cars dont have wheels and the rocker panels are sinking in the mud. |
|
|
|
Post by robaurora01 on Feb 4, 2010 14:19:08 GMT -6
portable saws-all
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2010 15:52:56 GMT -6
I watched on extreme 4x4 a salvage silverado which had damage in the door jam also. They used a frame puller to pull out the jam. on-off pressure repeatedly in the affected area until the original shape is returned.
|
|
|
|
Post by drivenmad on Feb 5, 2010 17:21:11 GMT -6
I watched on extreme 4x4 a salvage silverado which had damage in the door jam also. They used a frame puller to pull out the jam. on-off pressure repeatedly in the affected area until the original shape is returned. I remember seeing that episode. I'm sure that wouldn't be as much of a hassle as cutting off the donor car and doing all the cutting and shaping to fit it on the damaged area. |
|
bobsblue95
Super Moderator
Scars of pleasure, scars of pain. Atmospheric changes make you sensitive again.
Posts: 3,125
Staff Member
|
Post by bobsblue95 on Feb 5, 2010 22:47:31 GMT -6
definitely worth the attempt!
|
|
|
|
Post by drivenmad on Feb 7, 2010 14:07:04 GMT -6
definitely worth the attempt! It definitely is worth the attempt. I've never driven a better car. Even my new one, a 2004 Dodge Stratus SE (71,000 miles) doesn't live up to the Aurora. I've had a few people tell me it wouldn't be worth fixing because I'd put more money into it than what it's worth. The thing is, I don't want to pay for a car I can't drive. It's mainly body work, which isn't that bad. I ordered a new suspension (which is the thing that is keeping it from the road) and will be getting a new door and bumper cover with my tax return. All I have to do now is just wait, because the Olds is buried in 23 inches of Northeastern snow. |
|
|
|
Post by robaurora01 on Feb 8, 2010 17:19:45 GMT -6
msg randy t he might have a spare door
|
|
bobsblue95
Super Moderator
Scars of pleasure, scars of pain. Atmospheric changes make you sensitive again.
Posts: 3,125
Staff Member
|
Post by bobsblue95 on Feb 8, 2010 19:48:43 GMT -6
Randy posted that he's no longer in the parts business due to personal issues. There are parts cars on the marketplace page.
|
|
|
|
Post by auroranut75 on Feb 8, 2010 20:53:37 GMT -6
There is a door for your car down here in TEXAS if you are still looking.
|
|
|
|
Post by drivenmad on Feb 10, 2010 10:00:30 GMT -6
There is a door for your car down here in TEXAS if you are still looking. I am still looking, but I may not buy one until the spring time. I am ordering the full suspension today (which is all i need to drive it), but I am going to do my taxes here soon and wait for my return. With that money I am going to get a door and rear bumper cover and try to get this thing fixed. How do I get the bumper off anyway? When I remove all the screws and whatnot, there are these metal pieces beside each tail light that hold the fold of the bumper in place. How do I remove these metal pieces? The studs that hold in place are round and I can't think of any tool to remove it...or do they just pop off with some prying? Ive removed bumpers before and never seen these before. |
|
|
|
Post by cbburtraw on Feb 10, 2010 11:48:22 GMT -6
for the suspension, can't you just take out the broken parts (such as the control arms) and replace as necessary, instead of dropping the whole thing?
|
|
|
|
Post by drivenmad on Feb 11, 2010 16:49:05 GMT -6
for the suspension, can't you just take out the broken parts (such as the control arms) and replace as necessary, instead of dropping the whole thing? All the suspension components were pretty much damaged in the accident. The trailing arm was twisted beyond repair when it snapped off the control arm and the shock was damaged when the brim of the wheel smashed into it. The only thing not visibly damaged was the spring. I am not even sure about the wheel hub either. Besides, it was relatively cheaper to purchase a full suspension compared to purchasing everything separately. I looked around and I would have paid well over $300 compared to the $170 I spent. |
|
|
|
Post by toro68 on Feb 13, 2010 16:53:30 GMT -6
You are a good man, saving this piece of Oldsmobile history!
|
|
|
|
Post by drivenmad on Feb 14, 2010 10:14:49 GMT -6
You are a good man, saving this piece of Oldsmobile history! I can't even begin to tell you how much of a blast this car was to drive and it turned heads everywhere I went. It's a very unique car that doesn't deserve to rust in pieces in a salvage yard. Only 207,xxx of these were made between 95 and 99, imagine how many of those are actually in bone yards. These cars are becoming the Few and the Proud. |
|
|
|
Post by lanceslambos on Feb 15, 2010 12:18:31 GMT -6
your figures are incorrect. they only built 136,289 of them from 1995 - 99 not over 207,xxx
|
|
|
|
Post by drivenmad on Feb 16, 2010 9:51:58 GMT -6
your figures are incorrect. they only built 136,289 of them from 1995 - 99 not over 207,xxx Really? I guess my sources misinformed me about the exact number. That leaves less than what I originally thought then. But, I refuse to allow mine to be the next rust bucket at Johns Pick 'n' Pull. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2010 11:45:30 GMT -6
without pick and pulls alot of us would not even be able to afford auroras. So some thanks to the people that decided to trash theirs.  |
|
|
|
Post by drivenmad on Feb 16, 2010 12:57:08 GMT -6
without pick and pulls alot of us would not even be able to afford auroras. So some thanks to the people that decided to trash theirs. Very true! That's where I got my headlight, fender strip, leather owners' manual case, and bulbs for my fog lights. |
|
|
|
Post by fellowmann20 on Feb 19, 2010 10:12:42 GMT -6
There is a Pull-A-Part here in Memphis with 3 Auroras on the lot. Its probably a little far away but here's the link. www.pullapart.com/Inventory/SearchDetail.aspxThere's also some stores in Ohio so you can also check the listings at those locations on the website as well. |
|
|
|
Post by drivenmad on Feb 19, 2010 16:40:21 GMT -6
There is a Pull-A-Part here in Memphis with 3 Auroras on the lot. Its probably a little far away but here's the link. www.pullapart.com/Inventory/SearchDetail.aspxThere's also some stores in Ohio so you can also check the listings at those locations on the website as well. There is a place here in PA in East Freedom called Clarks Auto Salvage. They have three Auroras, but one is smashed up in the same area as mine. I called 8 other places and they dont have any. There is one more place I am going to call and hope they have one or a few. I figured my bumper cover will be fine, I just need to find a side marker and splash guard. I just want to replace the suspension and find someone with a frame puller to fix the door jamb and get a new door. Sall PM me and told me about some software he has that will show me how to repair everything. I hope to get it road ready by the summer. |
|
|
|
Post by cbburtraw on Feb 20, 2010 23:35:28 GMT -6
for the suspension, can't you just take out the broken parts (such as the control arms) and replace as necessary, instead of dropping the whole thing? All the suspension components were pretty much damaged in the accident. The trailing arm was twisted beyond repair when it snapped off the control arm and the shock was damaged when the brim of the wheel smashed into it. The only thing not visibly damaged was the spring. I am not even sure about the wheel hub either. Besides, it was relatively cheaper to purchase a full suspension compared to purchasing everything separately. I looked around and I would have paid well over $300 compared to the $170 I spent. I see. I thought just the control arm and maybe one other part was damaged, not all that. It definitely makes more sense to do it this way. |
|
|
|
Post by drivenmad on Feb 21, 2010 12:12:32 GMT -6
All the suspension components were pretty much damaged in the accident. The trailing arm was twisted beyond repair when it snapped off the control arm and the shock was damaged when the brim of the wheel smashed into it. The only thing not visibly damaged was the spring. I am not even sure about the wheel hub either. Besides, it was relatively cheaper to purchase a full suspension compared to purchasing everything separately. I looked around and I would have paid well over $300 compared to the $170 I spent. I see. I thought just the control arm and maybe one other part was damaged, not all that. It definitely makes more sense to do it this way. I thought that it was only the CA and the TA when I first crawled underneath to look. I didn't find the other damage until I took the wheel off. The new suspension came with a wheel hub, too, which is good in case my current one is damaged. I did realize that I have to do brake work, too, since my inspection runs out in May. I bought the car knowing the front rotors were in need of replacement but never got around to it. This is going to be a project, but totally worth doing. I think I am going to get a set of drilled/slotted rotors for all the wheels and paint the calipers while I am at it. Also, since I don't have mufflers I am going to go to Advance Auto Parts and get two thrush turbos just to slap on for inspection. After everything is repaired I am eventually going to put a full 3" exhaust and replace the catalytic converter. I found a catback exhaust for another vehicle that practically has the same setup as the Aurora (straight down the middle and Y's at the mufflers). But that is all far in the future. My main priority is getting it inspection passable and road ready. |
|
fatjock
Aurora Groupie
Reality is an illusion caused by lack of alcohol
|
Post by fatjock on Apr 6, 2010 19:22:07 GMT -6
[quote author=drivenmad board=wrecks thread=19527 post=220854 time=1265573224
I've had a few people tell me it wouldn't be worth fixing because I'd put more money into it than what it's worth...............[/quote]
Now that's up to the individual.
I bought my car as a project car, in the full knowledge that I'll be putting in more money than the car ( to insurance companies and philistines) is worth.
I know I'll never get back that money, but when I'm done, I'll have the car that I want, exactly the way I want it.
So I say go for it, and never mind the naysayers!
|
|
