Upper Tie bar

slow-mo · Post by **slow-mo** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:05 pm

I apologize if this is in the wrong place...

Anyway, last week an older lady with her spiffy Mercedes ML500 decided to back into my '02 neon while we were waiting to pull out from QT. Her tow hitch hit smack in the emblem on the grill and buckled the hood. It also bent the upper tie bar right where the cutout is for the hood latch. I did get the insurance money back, but I would prefer to do the work that I can myself. I always have, so why not eh? Anyway, I can't find anything regarding the upper tie bar and how to remove it. I know that with the radiator support the welds have to be drilled out, and I would assume the same goes for the tie bar. I'm just not for sure and without tearing things apart to have a look-see, I can't find squat. Any info would be much appreciated.

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:32 pm

I think it also will be a cut/weld type of proceedure.

Here is an exploded view if it helps any.

edit:
4783466AG CROSSMEMBER, Radiator Closure Panel (upper tie bar) $81.65 MSRP

slow-mo · Post by **slow-mo** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:29 pm

Ah, thanks.

Let me ask this then...the issue with it now is that it is tilted down and makes it difficult to close my hood. How safe would it be to just attempt to bend it back into place, or at least attempt to?

I mean, if I can manage to bend that back into a workable position and not worry about any issues caused by it, then I would get off easy. Grille and hood would cost me about $250 total + paint ...and a little chunk of my free time. I can live with that. I can tell you, I'm ready to drive the car as it is. I can't take driving a Ford Taurus to and from work much longer, I like my little dysfunctional Neon

edit: Maybe I can take a pic of the damage tomorrow, if that would help?

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:16 pm

If the damage is just minor, you could prolly bend it back.
Pics are always good.

JeffM · Post by **JeffM** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:07 pm

If it's minor, you can do it. When I got into my fender-bender I was going like 5-10mph and was able to just bend it back into place.

slow-mo · Post by **slow-mo** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 8:54 pm

I managed to get it bent back into place. I took the grille off and loosened the bumper cover and pulled it forward some. Then I unbolted the hood latch and let it hang down below the bumper. I used the jack that came with the car and placed it on the exposed bumper. I jacked the dent up above the center line and used a rubber mallet to flatten it down. I removed the jack and pushed the tie bar back into place as level as I could. Worked like a charm

If it weren't for the cracked grille, missing emblem, and chip in the paint on the tip of my hood, you wouldn't be able to tell it was hit lol. Anyway, thanks guys for the input. Saved me some money, which is always nice.