Oouch! Front end on the ground!

[sjz]

As everyone else has already stated, the chin spoiler IS low.
Here's my story (it's sad, but true):
I always try to stay aware of the low spoiler, but we sometimes have memory lapses. Last week, I parked the car "front in" at a parking lot. When I returned to the car, I started to back up & then saw the whole front facia (from the hood forward) "pop" up. I got out of the car to find the front end lying on the ground on the passenger side. Evidently, the front spoiler caught a lip on the curb I just parked over. After wiping away the tears, I secured the front end to the car with string, and drove the 1/2 mile home.
When I got home, I put the car on ramps to scope out the extent of the damage, which at first glance appeared extensive. To make a long story short, incredibly, I was able to snap everything back together after doping out where everything went. The only real damage was a tear in the hole where the facia bolts to the fender (in front of the wheel well). but that was cured by using a fender washer, and is invisible when assembled. I don't know if the 95 degree heat helped me dodge a bullet by letting all the plastic flex, or what, but after buying a few new plastic rivets, you'd never know what happened.
When everything up front is pinned together (only one bolt per side), the front end is quite sturdy, as long as the force is pushing on it. I have to say that the design is pretty impressive. If you pull on it too hard, it'll come apart like a set of Legos.
So, if you should have the misfortune of doing what I did, take a good look at the damage before you panic and spend a lot of $$$ at a body shop.

[300MAG]

Glad to here every thing worked out, I know it must of been a horrible scence to see. It reminds me of when my touring was only 5 days old and I went to friends repair shop to visit and one of his mechanics wasn't looking and backed right into the fender.

[cbutler32]

Originally Posted by sjz

As everyone else has already stated, the chin spoiler IS low.
Here's my story (it's sad, but true):
I always try to stay aware of the low spoiler, but we sometimes have memory lapses. Last week, I parked the car "front in" at a parking lot. When I returned to the car, I started to back up & then saw the whole front facia (from the hood forward) "pop" up. I got out of the car to find the front end lying on the ground on the passenger side. Evidently, the front spoiler caught a lip on the curb I just parked over. After wiping away the tears, I secured the front end to the car with string, and drove the 1/2 mile home.
When I got home, I put the car on ramps to scope out the extent of the damage, which at first glance appeared extensive. To make a long story short, incredibly, I was able to snap everything back together after doping out where everything went. The only real damage was a tear in the hole where the facia bolts to the fender (in front of the wheel well). but that was cured by using a fender washer, and is invisible when assembled. I don't know if the 95 degree heat helped me dodge a bullet by letting all the plastic flex, or what, but after buying a few new plastic rivets, you'd never know what happened.
When everything up front is pinned together (only one bolt per side), the front end is quite sturdy, as long as the force is pushing on it. I have to say that the design is pretty impressive. If you pull on it too hard, it'll come apart like a set of Legos.
So, if you should have the misfortune of doing what I did, take a good look at the damage before you panic and spend a lot of $$$ at a body shop.

you very lucky dog you...
good news to an almost heartwrenching story...

[Gawenda31]

yea i hate that sound...

[srt8danno]

Holy CRAP!! That story had the pit of my stomach turned inside out……but what a great save you performed! Way to go and thanks for the reminder to always “duck” into parking spaces!

[Sycosis]

This thread is worthless without pics.

[sjz]

Originally Posted by Sycosis

This thread is worthless without pics.

Worthless is a bit harsh, but I agree... pictures would have been nice. Unfortunately, I was a bit frazzled at the time, and only thought about pictures later.
If it happens again, I'll take pictures, and ask my widow to post them here.
-Steve

[cbutler32]

Originally Posted by sjz

Worthless is a bit harsh, but I agree... pictures would have been nice. Unfortunately, I was a bit frazzled at the time, and only thought about pictures later.
If it happens again, I'll take pictures, and ask my widow to post them here.
-Steve

sjz,
he is from Jersey and all...

ok, here we go...

duck...

missed me...

kidding - pyscho (Stripes) KIDDING!

sycosis - thanks for playing along...
enjoy your evening...

[Miami SRT8]

I had a similiar problem a few months ago and actually purchased a plastic Mopar rivit gun for $25.00 and a few days later i did the same ...I opened the trunk and pulled the rivit gun...Actually the damage looked worse that what I thought...The belly pan cost me about $150.00, but i have learned to park backwards... ...Dan...Sorry no pictures

[srt8danno]

Now don't let those nasty Dade county park stops tear up that beautiful ride!! Nice save!!