Got rear-ended last night. After $3k in rebuilding this MF-fer, some chick is paying more attention to her phone than the road. She hit me HARD, too. When she first hit me, in my mind, I was imagining the back end to be totally crumpled-up. I expected the back window to have broken, but it didn't. In fact, when I went back to look, there was no visible damage at all!! Now keep in mind, it was 5 degrees – I would have thought plastic would have shattered. But nothing. We exchanged phone numbers, and we went on our ways. This was easily a 5-7mph impact. I would have said more just from all the noise. I've been in a few accidents, and I have a pretty good gague of things.

 

Anyway, I was almost counting my blessings until I tried to open the lift-gate late last night, and it took a second. And it doesn’t close. It APPEARS that the rear bumper has lifted-up a slight bit. And it is SLIGHT – not even visually at first glance (it was dark) raise in there. But there is a seam where the bumper stops and what looks to be like a plastic liner-piece starts – the seam runs along the same plane as where the bottom lip of the liftgate would pass. That’s puffed-upwards a little bit. But evidently, it's enough enough to keep the rear hatch from totally closing.

 

Anyone have any thoughts, ideas? I have SOOO much money into this car – I’d hate to just toss it. But I also know how tricky these things can be. I haven’t pulled the bumper (it’s still 5 degrees) or gotten it on a lift. I guess I’m just hoping someone will tell me “aw, these guys are tanks! Don’t sweat it!” instead of “Dude .. it’s Vanna White Time” I’ll see if I can get some pics.

 

I have a come-along, and lots of balls. Anyone with experience at this? I was JUST about to put a towing receiver there, too - so I'm not even afraid of the welder. I just want to make sure it's worth it anymore ...

 

Thanks!

Quick repair would require one of those 4' jacks offroaders carry. Can't recall what they are called but if you can get the rear bumper under something solid or very heavy, like the rear bumper of a lifted 4x4 truck, the jack can be used to force your bumper down.

Anyone have any thoughts, ideas? I have SOOO much money into this car – I’d hate to just toss it. But I also know how tricky these things can be. I haven’t pulled the bumper (it’s still 5 degrees) or gotten it on a lift.

 

 

I wouldn't give up - at least until you really know what's wrong.

 

Pull the bumper, remove the carpet.

 

Probably the bumper is bent. There is space between the back of the car and the front of the bumper, so hopefully the bumper did it's job and absorbed the energy. Pics would be helpful.

I have a come-along, and lots of balls. Anyone with experience at this?

 

Thanks!

 

 

No experience with your balls, but I have straightened a few cars with a come along and a tree. I have also ruined a couple trees. Be careful and go slowly. Before you start, get under it and visually inspect it. If at all possible, get someone with the same type car and take measurments around the rear suspension, bumper mounts and subframe.

Hopefully its a simple fix for you. You ever seen a chevy s-10 tbone a wagon at 40 mph. I did. in fact i was the passenger yelling at the driver that there was a red light. He had plenty of time to stop, but just didn't. Poor wagon didn't stand much chance. totalled both vehicles. Makes you wonder what goes thru a drivers mind sometimes

Lemme see what i can do about pics. It's like 5 degrees here right now ... MAN I miss my heated garage! I noticed a slight ripple in the drivers' side panel ...

This is a loyale wagon right? Open the hatch, open up the smugglers hatch in the floor in the back, pull the two rubber plugs on either side of the smugglers hatch. These are the bumper bolt access holes. Loosen the bolts a little bit, let the bumper settle down, then re-tighten them. No come a longs, jacks, or hammers. Sit on the bumper if you have to when you tighten the bolts.

This is a loyale wagon right? Open the hatch, open up the smugglers hatch in the floor in the back, pull the two rubber plugs on either side of the smugglers hatch. These are the bumper bolt access holes. Loosen the bolts a little bit, let the bumper settle down, then re-tighten them. No come a longs, jacks, or hammers. Sit on the bumper if you have to when you tighten the bolts.

 

Holy crap, if it's that simple .. wow! OKay - I'll check that out. Is THAT where everything is mounted?...

i have the old bumper from my 86 wagon project, the shell and the steel part. also have a bumper from a 93 loyale , but its a sedan. let me know, im an hour and 15 min away.... michigan subie owners unite..., oh ya theirs a 91 loyale wagon in a junkyard near me too.

the smuggler's hatch is also an energy absorption area for rear end crashes. while you're looking in there, look out for crumpling. Hope you have plenty of receipts for your work done, they'll help keep the value of your car high versus a possible totalling when the adjuster looks at it. If your car is totalled you can always sue her because of the depreciation. Good luck to both of you