Miata Mailing List: June 1994, Message #36
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   From: 
Subject: Re: your mail (fwd)
   Date: Fri, 3 Jun 1994 12:50:48 -0400


>
>
>Has anybody had any experiences with fixing a hurt miata?  I have a good
>body shop but I don't know how many miata's they work on.  Is there
>anything special they should do about the suspension in order to make it
>work right again? I don't think that the frame is bent, but are can they be
>straightened if it is? Does anyone have an idea on how long it takes
>(generally) to get replacement fenders and tops (even though my top was
>down it got ripped in the collision).  Are there good used parts out there
>(like a door)? I am kind of worried that the insurance companies will want
>to total it, that would be a tragedy, so is there anyway to ensure that
>they don't do that?
>
>I'd appreciate any help you can offer (commiseration accepted also).
>
>Thanks
>
>SRL
>

First, there is no longer a "frame" in most cars, as they all have
unitized bodies. This is where the structural members are part of 
the car and not part of any subassembly. Great for manufacture. Stinko
for repair. I had a ford fiesta that needed to have its "frame" fixed.
This was done on a machine with large chains and lots of hydraulic power.
The result was a car with a wheelbase 1 inch shorter on one side of the
car. After driving it a couple of months I sold it as it just did not
handle correctly. This could have also been due to the body shop.

Second, get LOTS of recommendations for a body shop. Start with your
insurance company. Do NOT just go to the dealer. I did that with a 
repair to my miata (no suspension damage, just body work) and they did
a mediocre job. Now the nose of my car paint chips very easily. More
recently, I had other work done from a "recommended" body shop and they
said my dealer did not paint the nose correctly. 

barry

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