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[Webby the Bear]

Thanks for all the replies folks.

BG, thanks for that. Luckily it's nowhere near that bad. I'm hopeful that it's just the channel at the front that's bent and I'll get a good look at that over Christmas...assuming the weather gets better 

That was a fantastic way to straighten that slam panel  Would that not affect it's strength in the unfortunate incident of another collision though?

Andy.... yes, apologies for the Americanisms.... I watch far too much Eric the Car Guy  Last one I watched he was replacing pads and rotors discs 

Fatigue should be something you cover at college... but basically, if you bend and straighten any material enough times it will fracture. Gentle tweaking is ok as it is relatively low stress. Repeated crashes not recommended, but if you bend it that badly, then you should really replace the affected panel. As said the bonnet is actually the thing that folds up... it uses the slam panel as a brake to dampen the energy of the impact.

The crash bar is a pretty solid lump, so deals with the bulk of the energy in an impact (provided what you hit is low enough of course)

Thanks Al 

We covered acting forces at some stage last year but I'm ashamed to admit it wasn't in depth and we haven't done anymore this year 

[05omegav6]

If you can hold off until the new year, I'll gladly give you a hand with it

The only things you'll need are the crash bar and brackets

[Webby the Bear]

That's very kind of you mate. Tbh though it looks quite straight forward with all your help

Only thing I'm a bit unsure of is where the brackets are? In the pic of the crash bar I am guessing it's behind it where the two upper most bolts go through? What do the brackets attach to.... chassis legs I presume? 

[05omegav6]

The brackets have two bolts that go to the crash bar either side of the washer bottle, and two bolts to the chassis rails

The reason I would suggest new parts is that way the brackets will be true, that way the crash bar (and therefore the bumper) will sit right. Given that you are unaware of how the damage happened, it is prudent to use new bits, unless one of the breakers can guarantee straight and true parts

That said this one looks pretty tidy and not too far away... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-2000-TO-2004-MODEL-FRONT-BUMPER-BAR-POLYSTYRENE-INFILL-/231112026314?_trksid=p2054897.l4276

Not long been replaced by the look of it... they can get pretty rusty

[Webby the Bear]

The brackets have two bolts that go to the crash bar either side of the washer bottle, and two bolts to the chassis rails

The reason I would suggest new parts is that way the brackets will be true, that way the crash bar (and therefore the bumper) will sit right. Given that you are unaware of how the damage happened, it is prudent to use new bits, unless one of the breakers can guarantee straight and true parts

That said this one looks pretty tidy and not too far away... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-2000-TO-2004-MODEL-FRONT-BUMPER-BAR-POLYSTYRENE-INFILL-/231112026314?_trksid=p2054897.l4276

Not long been replaced by the look of it... they can get pretty rusty

Awesome! Thanks for that mate. That's just the price a poor man is looking for!!! 

[M Kerr]

Hello All,

I'm watching this with interest.  Back ages ago I bumped my Mig in the back of a (stupid $%£*^...) any way very slow impact and I was surprised to see any damage at all.  Back of new clit was immaculate but mine looked a mess!  Having been stood on the breaks, somehow the impact was on top of the front of the bonnet (!).  Anway having replaced the impact bar behind the bumper and straightened the slam panel and dropped a new bonnet on, I have exactly the same slight alignment issues with headlamps and the gap to one side of the bonnet doesn't look great.  Almost identical to the photos above.  Anyway I've got to get it done (or have anothe go).  Otherwise still the most beautiful car I've ever driven (and that's quite a few!)
All the best,
Martin
 

[05omegav6]

The wings can be tweaked to fit more neatly, but the headlight bolts to the slam panel assembly so are a petty good guide to the position of the slam panel. Once that's straight then everything else should line up nicely, or as our yankee cousins might say... real sweet

The way the Omega deals with impacts is quite impressive... the bonnet being the main shock absorber. Quite clever to design a single moving panel to fold progressively as it moves imho. It's a shame that it pulls the slam panel so far back in the process

The other mixed blessing is how low the bumper dips under heavy braking, rendering the crash bar next to useless... it does however mean you're unlikely to bend the chassis in a straight forward shunt

[Webby the Bear]

Hi Martin, I'm Steve

So, you've replaced the bonnet and impact bar and straightened out the slam panel and still have panel alignment issues... when you say the gap to one side of the bonnet... is that to the bumper or the wing?

Ps, I got a chance to have a look at gaps in the panels:

Bonnet and wing (at the scuttle end) - 5mm both sides
Front doors to wings - 4mm both sides

[05omegav6]

Just need to knock the slam panel forward a couple of mm, tweak the bonnet as suggested and replace crash bar... nothing that can't wait a month or so though

[MR MISTER]

Hi Martin, I'm Steve

So, you've replaced the bonnet and impact bar and straightened out the slam panel and still have panel alignment issues... when you say the gap to one side of the bonnet... is that to the bumper or the wing?

Ps, I got a chance to have a look at gaps in the panels:

Bonnet and wing (at the scuttle end) - 5mm both sides
Front doors to wings - 4mm both sides

If it's passed an mot since it was bent, just drive the fickin thing, why worry about a mm here and there?

[Webby the Bear]

Cheers again ETA 

Looking back over the thread I'm a bit unsure on what you mean regarding tweaking the bonnet....

I lift it up and hold it by the grill. Am I then attempting to ''pop'' it back/align it by hand?

[Webby the Bear]

Hi Martin, I'm Steve

So, you've replaced the bonnet and impact bar and straightened out the slam panel and still have panel alignment issues... when you say the gap to one side of the bonnet... is that to the bumper or the wing?

Ps, I got a chance to have a look at gaps in the panels:

Bonnet and wing (at the scuttle end) - 5mm both sides
Front doors to wings - 4mm both sides

If it's passed an mot since it was bent, just drive the fickin thing, why worry about a mm here and there?

A good point. I could just leave it and think sod it. But a.) I have slight OCD (I believe) and these things bug me and b.) I would eventually (and hopefully in time for the ABS stand @ Billing this year) get my car in to such good nick that i can take it to a Vx show

[05omegav6]

Cheers again ETA 

Looking back over the thread I'm a bit unsure on what you mean regarding tweaking the bonnet....

I lift it up and hold it by the grill. Am I then attempting to ''pop'' it back/align it by hand?

It won't pop, but your trying to push it further open vertically from underneath the grill... as said, there's a knack to the whole thing.

If you can wait a bit I can help you with it. It isn't summat I can talk you through remotely,  as without physically seeing the car there are things that can only be checked visually

[Webby the Bear]

Cheers again ETA 

Looking back over the thread I'm a bit unsure on what you mean regarding tweaking the bonnet....

I lift it up and hold it by the grill. Am I then attempting to ''pop'' it back/align it by hand?

It won't pop, but your trying to push it further open vertically from underneath the grill... as said, there's a knack to the whole thing.

If you can wait a bit I can help you with it. It isn't summat I can talk you through remotely,  as without physically seeing the car there are things that can only be checked visually

Ok mate, that's really kind - thanks very much 

I'm free Christmas Day 

[05omegav6]

Pop it down, will save you some pudding

Weather is not ideal though...