RS Motorsport :: Classic Speed Restored

Hi All,
Just wonder if anyone out there can help with some advise on fixing a bent chassis rail. First, it's not an Escort, it is my best mates father's Subaru Outback H6. It is about 15yrs old with only 50K km's on the clock. Basically he was putting it up on the ramps to change oil, and while hanging out the door slipped on the leather seats hitting the go pedal, jumped the ramps and hit a tree stump pushing the rail "up" about 30mm. Any advise on a DIY fix or helpful repairer on Brisbane Northside would be appreciated as it would be such a waste of a very nice car.
Kind regards,
Michael.

Hi Michael,

Basically you need to pull back in the same direction as the force was applied to move it up. Pull down jobs can be hard without the right equipment and to my knowledge the only way to do it is on a rack that has the pull down attachment. Its usually a roller that is mounted off an arm that is mounted low on the bed so that the chain pulls down in a vertical direction first before pulling sideways off the ram powered arm (see attached pic). The chassis needs to be bolted to the bed so it doesn't move and you'll probably have to pull the rail 40-50mm down to get it to sit back to where it should be. Don't try to pull anything with the car sitting on the tyres as with the force required you'll pop them before you get the rail anywhere near where it should be.

It can be done, you just need a panel shop with a good rack to do it. The actual pull probably won't take long but its the setup etc that takes the time. Let us know how you go.

Thanks Nev,
With some help he has found a place on this side of town with a laser rack? Anyway, it his heading down for the repair tomorrow. Quotes ranged from 5-7k as they all said it was an engine out job, which this guy doesn't need to do so a bit cheaper...
Cheers Michael.