First off, I am super happy to get my Previa back. I kept going back and forth about what to do since the accident happened.
Quick recap: Sept 2017 older guy him my Previa. The right side smashed. Once I put on the spare tire, I knew the suspension alignment was off as it was pulling to the right very hard!
I needed to clean up the damaged portion a bit and give it a better assessment. So I replaced the fender.
In this picture, you can see how pushed back the wheel is. It is closer to the door than the front bumper.
There is also damaged to the door as well.
I searched CL for Frame straightening and AJC Autobody came up. I asked someone at CCSF's autobody class and they said it was recommended.
I called AJC and sent them these pictures. They said they would do the job for $1000 as a base (additional costs depending on needs). I told them it didn't have to be perfect, I just want it to be straightened as much as possible. I agreed to the quote and got a few pieces before I had it towed.
The weekend before the van was towed to AJC's shop, I decided to get a few pieces.
After I got the parts, I made note of what was going on in my van and what needed to be done.
During the time it was at AJC, we had conversations about the fix and I said that after a frame pull, see how much of the suspension is aligned. This was my major concern. I figured that it was pulled enough, that I could just replace the lower control arm (as it was suggested by Samay of Garage Tuner Auto, Seattle) and anything else I needed to replace.
There were some delays relating to headlight because it was not the same year, so the parts were slightly different.
While that was delayed, I contemplated on what to do with the door. I didn't want to pull a door and change things out... so I called AJC and asked about fixing the door. They said they will do it.
I believe after they got most of the repair done, AJC noticed the alignment was still off. I talked with Dave and he said that they will need to replace the lower control arm and of course I'd pay for that repair as well. I ask them to send me an invoice and they did.
It is now February and I get a call from Dave at AJC saying my van is ready for pick up! I tried to get there Friday afternoon, but I was stuck dealing with the DMV paperwork (I have to register the van again).
So I called saying I wouldn't make it that Friday night, but I wouldn't mind picking it up the next day. Ali (owner) said the shop was close due to the weather. I asked if I could pay the remaining balance over the phone and pick up my car the next day. So that what happened.
The next day when I arrived, I looked over everything and was pleased. The test would be driving it from San Francisco to Walnut Creek, through rain, traffic being about a 1.5 hour drive.
The Previa drove straight!!!!! Before the fix, steering would be pulling right ward and "lumpy" meaning it was really bad.
Just the fact it drove straight made everything worth it!!!
Additionally, I told AJC to do some frame pulling/straightening, but they painted the door, fender and panel that goes underneath the headlights!!!
Here are the pictures:
Much better alignment!!!
Slightly off, but much better!
YES!!!
This Previa has meant so much to me and it is the reason why I didn't junk it. The money into the van besides the body repair is really a lot, but the sentimental value of the van is what I absolutely value over monetary value.
Let me give a big shout out to Ali, Dave and the people at AJC Autobody!
AJC website --> ajcautobody.com
Yelp --> AJC on Yelp
FB --> AJC on Facebook
Quick recap: Sept 2017 older guy him my Previa. The right side smashed. Once I put on the spare tire, I knew the suspension alignment was off as it was pulling to the right very hard!
I needed to clean up the damaged portion a bit and give it a better assessment. So I replaced the fender.
There is also damaged to the door as well.
I searched CL for Frame straightening and AJC Autobody came up. I asked someone at CCSF's autobody class and they said it was recommended.
I called AJC and sent them these pictures. They said they would do the job for $1000 as a base (additional costs depending on needs). I told them it didn't have to be perfect, I just want it to be straightened as much as possible. I agreed to the quote and got a few pieces before I had it towed.
The weekend before the van was towed to AJC's shop, I decided to get a few pieces.
This was a 1991 Previa. I pulled the piece below the headlights and the right side headlight. I only got the headlight because of the bracket that would go to the corner lamp.
After I got the parts, I made note of what was going on in my van and what needed to be done.
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| Dec 11th 2018 |
During the time it was at AJC, we had conversations about the fix and I said that after a frame pull, see how much of the suspension is aligned. This was my major concern. I figured that it was pulled enough, that I could just replace the lower control arm (as it was suggested by Samay of Garage Tuner Auto, Seattle) and anything else I needed to replace.
There were some delays relating to headlight because it was not the same year, so the parts were slightly different.
While that was delayed, I contemplated on what to do with the door. I didn't want to pull a door and change things out... so I called AJC and asked about fixing the door. They said they will do it.
I believe after they got most of the repair done, AJC noticed the alignment was still off. I talked with Dave and he said that they will need to replace the lower control arm and of course I'd pay for that repair as well. I ask them to send me an invoice and they did.
It is now February and I get a call from Dave at AJC saying my van is ready for pick up! I tried to get there Friday afternoon, but I was stuck dealing with the DMV paperwork (I have to register the van again).
So I called saying I wouldn't make it that Friday night, but I wouldn't mind picking it up the next day. Ali (owner) said the shop was close due to the weather. I asked if I could pay the remaining balance over the phone and pick up my car the next day. So that what happened.
The next day when I arrived, I looked over everything and was pleased. The test would be driving it from San Francisco to Walnut Creek, through rain, traffic being about a 1.5 hour drive.
The Previa drove straight!!!!! Before the fix, steering would be pulling right ward and "lumpy" meaning it was really bad.
Just the fact it drove straight made everything worth it!!!
Additionally, I told AJC to do some frame pulling/straightening, but they painted the door, fender and panel that goes underneath the headlights!!!
Here are the pictures:
Much better alignment!!!
Slightly off, but much better!
YES!!!
This Previa has meant so much to me and it is the reason why I didn't junk it. The money into the van besides the body repair is really a lot, but the sentimental value of the van is what I absolutely value over monetary value.
Let me give a big shout out to Ali, Dave and the people at AJC Autobody!
AJC website --> ajcautobody.com
Yelp --> AJC on Yelp
FB --> AJC on Facebook
For confirming that your car has proper headlight alignment , we recommend you to take your car first on a test drive on road. If in case, you feel improper adjustment and alignment, then you should take it to the nearby quick fit centre of some reliable company like Rathdowney Quick Fit Company. Feel free to take the services again and again until you find the right position and alignment of your headlights.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever driven your car on a road while when its headlight alignment was poorly managed and you barely see anything present in your vicinity at the road? Did you know earlier that the car headlights which are aimed too low can greatly reduce your visibility especially at night, similar to those headlights which are aimed too high and affect others’ visibility.
ReplyDeleteProper headlight alignment is crucial for one’s safety on the road. But sometimes, unfortunately, car headlights get misaligned anonymously by themselves, which should not happen though. Besides aiming headlight, another significant thing to consider is the worn-out bulbs. The bulbs present both at the front and back have filaments, which tend to expand over the course of their lives.
ReplyDelete