Here are my concerns, even if the body's structure is intact:

If the wheel and axle took the shock of impact (sufficient to fracture a wheel and displace the axle), then that impact most likely traveled along the axle's locating arms (control arms both sides, and panhard rod in center). In turn, this probably compromised the hard points where the arms mount to the body, either cracking, ripping or bending them. The same may have occurred at the shock mountings in the fenders as well.

Since it's the panhard rod's job to keep the axle located perpendicular to the car's axis, then this is the part that passed the most energy directly into its mounting point. I'd guess this is going to be a spot that's broken, or that the body structure around it has been displaced. If any of these secondary events have occurred, it's going to be virtually impossible to repair the car properly and safely.

All this is BEFORE accounting for any other structural damages that may have resulted from the impact. So I still think this is going to be a difficult repair and will end in disappointment, even though body guys seem capable of amazing feats these days.

I can understand your wanting to recover the car and your investment in it. From my vantage point, however, the possibility of this very scenario would have prevented me from investing in the work you performed before the accident. The car's value (as you've seen) at this mileage makes it almost certain that you'll never get the money back if something happens to the car.

To go deeper into this car just seems financially unsound. What happens if the same hit-and-run driver pays you another "visit" just as you're pulling out of the body shop?

I still wish you'd take the settlement, buy another car, and maybe buy back the totaled car for parts.

posted by 155.212.49...

• Any Insurance Experts out there? Advice?, Tom S., Tue, 8 Feb 2005 11:53:19
  • Be sure to ask for sales tax and title/license xfer fee, Bill Homer , Wed, 9 Feb 2005 09:21:09
  • Re: Thanks for responses- my saga continues, Tom S., Wed, 9 Feb 2005 08:27:58
    • My thoughts..., Craig, Wed, 9 Feb 2005 10:32:55
    • Advising against repair!, David Ingram, Wed, 9 Feb 2005 08:40:04
      • Re: Advising against repair!, Tom S., Wed, 9 Feb 2005 09:12:45
        • Guts...., David Ingram, Thu, 10 Feb 2005 06:49:57 <-- Viewing This Message
          • Maybe on the Panhard rod, etc., Bill Homer , Thu, 10 Feb 2005 08:41:02
        • And do what after getting to 400K?, NYSaab, Wed, 9 Feb 2005 09:24:43
          • Re: And do what after getting to 400K?, Tom S., Wed, 9 Feb 2005 09:59:31
  • Re: Any Insurance Experts out there? Advice?, Kappy, Wed, 9 Feb 2005 03:12:58
  • You can probably get a little more, but its close, NYSaab, Tue, 8 Feb 2005 15:47:31
  • No But,,,, Rmc, Tue, 8 Feb 2005 15:00:23
  • Not an expert, but, Geza in CA, Tue, 8 Feb 2005 14:14:27
    • my two cents, andrew , Tue, 8 Feb 2005 20:58:36

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