running bar bent

[James W]

Some jack ass at a Wal Mart parking lot hit my driver's side step bar and bent it down. What is the best way to bend it back? I know I can take a floor jack and start jacking until it is about right, but that is a little nerving for me.



Is there any better way? I have not yet called a body shop for fear that I will get the "Oh yeah, we can fix it for you for a small fee of $500" treatment.

 

[shawn stonbraker 2]

Not sure if it is possible.The easiest way may be to check junkyards to see if there any at a reasonable price. Being that they are a tube, it would probably give you the same results as trying to straighten a bent piece of copper tubing.

 

[Richard L]

James,

Did the guy who hit your truck stop and give the name and insurance policy number? I would think his insurance would pay to replace the bar.



If it was a hit and run, and you don't want to put it on your insurance, then I would try the jack. If that does not work, you are no worse off than you are now, and you will just have to buy some replacements.



...Rich

 

[James W]

hit and run. Otherwise, I would file on their insurance for sure. The tube is straight, just the supports were bent.



My plan is to get a 4x4 piece of wood and put the jack under it and see how it does.

 

[Todd Z]

Yes, a piece of wood and a floor jack will do the trick...

Todd Z

 

[shawn stonbraker 2]

Sorry James, I though you meant that the tube was bent. My bad. Otherwise as stated, the jack should work.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Was there other damage to the vehicle? I ask because if the only damage is a bent-down step bar, I don't understand how that cut happen with a hit and run.



I do see how two jackasses, or one big jackass might jump up and down on a step bar to cause that damage, but a hit and run?



Jack it!



TJR

 

[James W]

TJR,



I believe what happened is that someone hit a shopping cart into my Trac. I do have some very extensive scratches and the shopping cart was pinned against my vehicle with no vehicle next to it. It was almost wedged into it.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Buy a lottery ticket James, because still, as described, I find it astronomically lucky that something could hit your car hard enough to bend down the bar and not do door damage...though I recognize that the bar sticks out pretty far, still, I think you are lucky!