sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Hello everyone I havent been on here in a good while. My 1998 Ls has been sitting in the garage for about a year and a half. I had a front end fender bender about that time from running into the back of an Impala. The problem was that the Impala only had a couple of scratches in the rear bumper but since my car was sitting a little lower the rear bumper caught my hood and bent the hood and the radiator core support back. It also bent the condenser and damaged the radiator. My headlights were also smashed to pieces. Suffice to say I retired the old girl at that time since the total cost to fix it was not worth it to me at the time. Fast forward and I found a 2000 ls in a junk yard that was being parted out and I'm able to get all the parts to bring old girl back to life. Hood, core support, both head lights (hid), radiator,condenser, both turn signals, etc... for 1k. I thought that was a hell of a deal for all OEM parts so I went ahead and purchased. Now I can replace everything on my own except the CORE SUPPORT since I don't know anything about welding but I'm willing to learn if it will save me more money on the repairs. Does anyone know how difficult a job this would be or if it's just better to go to a shop. I'm in NY and I got for $1400 which I thought was too high since I looked around on some other car forums and saw some ppl say they got theirs done for 300-600. There is no frame damage is that matters. Basically I'm looking for a guide for this procedure. Thx for looking and If anyone can help me get old girl on the road again It would be greatly appreciated.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

i believe the core support is spot welded into place. you will need to find the welds, drill them out, remove the old support and weld the new support in. it is easy if you know where they are. i would leave this to the professionals but give them the parts so they don't charge you. they will simply charge you with labor.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Thx for responding, being a DIYer I'm willing to try anything even though It does seem a lil out of my realm. Ill go get some more estimates but anything over $500 might be a deal breaker for me.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Here is a video:

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Well I took it to a shop a friend of mine recommended and the guy said he would do the job for $500 . So I left it there and should be picking it up next week. Next thing is to find a decent shop to paint. I might go over by Citi field(Shea stadium) I hear they do some good work for decent prices.