11 replies to this topic

[Paulus]

Hi Guys, New to the forum (thanks to JJJerusalem for info) and relatively new to VX220 ownership. Purchased my VX220 NA with only 8300 miles on it 19.05.2007; after only a few weeks of extremely happy driving had a front end on 5.07; gutted. Car is still with repairers awaiting parts; front clamshell etc. Is this common to have to wait so long for body parts from Vauxhall? Also, in light of horror stories I have read re chassis damage etc what do I need to check out? What should have been replaced? I have been told by repairers that there is no chassis damage. NB. Air bag did not go off; good sign?

[danyeates]

Can you tell us some more about the accident.

I have repaired a few VX220's before, here's the first one I repaired (2001 NA)



You can see the chassis is set quite a way back. There is a black crash structure glued to the front of the car. These aren't too difficult to cut off in the event of a crash and glueing new ones on is easy, it sits on a ridge so you can't really get it wrong.

On top of that is the brownish radiator housing. The radiator sits flat inside this. This also helps to absorb impact in the event of an accident.

The vunerable parts are where the wishbones mount onto the chassis. You can see on my picture the top wishbone mount on the offisde front wheel. Here is where they pull out and damage the chassis, so check these, both top and bottom, lower and upper. Check whether you hit anything directly with the wheels. Generally you damage all the ball joints, wishbones and tie rod/track rod arms when you do, not chassis but it does happen.

Did you hit the back or side at all? If so, let me know and I'll talk you though that.

Dan

[mandarinvx]

How long have you been told you'll have to wait for the clam

[Paulus]

Hi Dan, Thanks for info and picture; It makes things a lot clearer. I had wondered what the crash box that's for sale on ebay was for; I had no idea it was fitted to standard cars; I thought it may have been a race modification. Re: the accident, my only one in 20+ years of driving, I made the fatal mistake of taking a flash of headlights from the other car as my go ahead to turn right! She ploughed into me. As I said I, my airbag did not deploy; a vauxhall mechanic said that was normal due to my low road speed? Police say other car was travelling under 40mph; possibly around 20-25 mph. No other damage to car other than front end. Repairers mentioned radiator and surround needed replacing amongst other parts. Prior to accident car was immaculate externally; I hope they return it the same way. Cheers, Paul. I was told approx a month ago that parts would not be received until 16 August at earliest. Apparently car is stripped down; would it be worth viewing it in this state to check for damage?

[danyeates]

You're welcome. Yeah crash box is standard on all cars, the one on ebay is a copy, not genuine, not made from the same material. I expect you should be ok if it was dead head on at relatively low speed. I have repaired VX220's that have been crashed at relatively high speeds, they are very tough cars. As I said, just check the wishbone mounts, check the wheels to see if they were impacted, if so get the wishbones checked/replaced, check the track rods, and wishbone mounts. I always take the opportunity to refresh the car. These cars can look pretty worn quickly. I always replace everything with stainless steel machine screws and fixings (just buy large quantities of everything), clean everything, and paint all the older parts that are looking a bit tired, line undertrays and lights with thin sticky back foam. Makes a huge difference!

[Anarchy]

Dan I take it this sticky back foam helps with noise?

[danyeates]

Yeah, makes everything fit better and tighter too. Just reduces the chances of something rattling!

This sort of stuff:

CLICKY

It's called hatch seal tape, used in the marine trade. I bought it as a trial when I worked at a yacht chandlers. It's sticky neopreme. Any chandlers should stock it.

[Paulus]

Hi Dan, Had my car returned from repairers yesterday; 2 months after crash! The report states that they stripped the door panels and removed the doors. One of the other guys on the forum has said there is no need to remove the doors to remove front clamshell. Any idea why they would have done this? They have made a right mess of refitting the door panels. Cheers, Paul

[vocky]

if the rear clam bolts seize then it's easier to remove the doors to access the bolts

[D1.220]

Can you tell us some more about the accident.

I have repaired a few VX220's before, here's the first one I repaired (2001 NA)



You can see the chassis is set quite a way back. There is a black crash structure glued to the front of the car. These aren't too difficult to cut off in the event of a crash and glueing new ones on is easy, it sits on a ridge so you can't really get it wrong.

On top of that is the brownish radiator housing. The radiator sits flat inside this. This also helps to absorb impact in the event of an accident.

The vunerable parts are where the wishbones mount onto the chassis. You can see on my picture the top wishbone mount on the offisde front wheel. Here is where they pull out and damage the chassis, so check these, both top and bottom, lower and upper. Check whether you hit anything directly with the wheels. Generally you damage all the ball joints, wishbones and tie rod/track rod arms when you do, not chassis but it does happen.

Did you hit the back or side at all? If so, let me know and I'll talk you though that.

Dan

It's that Sam Vx. Car currently in Hong Kong.

[SamVx]

I think you mean Sam Tam?

[danyeates]

Yeah it's Sam tam's car in HK. No, you do not need to remove the doors to remove the front clam.