Thread: Help, need a replacement D4

From a structural point of view, with the benefit of close inspection both A-pillars are deformed inward due to the catenary effect across the roof line, but the right side one is significantly deformed such that you can put your hand through between the door and pillar. The pillar deformation is such that it likely extend down below the window line and into the bodywork and firewall.
The driver side B-pillar is also deformed inward from the roof deformation.
The driver side C-pillar is buckled near the top from the direct impact of the carport joist such that the rear door is difficult to open.
There is further creasing damage to the passenger side rear pillar consequent on further impact from a different roof joist that flicked down having taken a direct hit from the tree.

The roof panel is perforated at around where the tree branch impacted, and the head rest was impacted by the roof thereby preventing even further deformation of the roof and pillar buckling.

A portion of the weight of the carport and tree was left resting on the car after the impact giving the car quite a lean, which was very evident in the suspension clearance. It is thus very possible that the suspension bottomed out at the peak of the impact so there may well be further damage to the chassis / suspension components as a result, but this would be difficult to tell based on a cursory inspection and may only show up as a fatigue or reliability issue way down the track.

While a great car, the load it sustained was definitely not a design load that would have been considered, other than to minimise damage to the occupants in the case of a rollover, so in my view all bets are off from a structural longevity perspective.

Otherwise it is all good!!!!

I am still in mourning, and get reminded every evening when I return home as the car is still parked in the drive looking very forlorn with its sloping down roof line.

Originally Posted by aquanaught

............A portion of the weight of the carport and tree was left resting on the car after the impact giving the car quite a lean, which was very evident in the suspension clearance. It is thus very possible that the suspension bottomed out at the peak of the impact so there may well be further damage to the chassis / suspension components as a result, but this would be difficult to tell based on a cursory inspection and may only show up as a fatigue or reliability issue way down the track...............................

Sorry to hear that, as I was about to suggest finding another body for it, if you were happy with the mechanicals, engine, running gear, etc.