Ahhhh Crap.

[Montclaire]

I have to wonder how bad the damage would have been if the trunk lid was closed at the time of impact.   

[67440chrg]

Oh man im sorry to hear of your bad luck. At least no one was hurt. I hope your car is fixed well and you are back on the road soon.

[Cooperman]

I have to wonder how bad the damage would have been if the trunk lid was closed at the time of impact.   

I wondered that too.     I just wish the hood had been closed. 

[Cooperman]

PS just noticed the 68 side marker light

When you're located so far away from the good stuff, you make do with what you can get!

[69rtse4spd]

Your welcome.

[Kern Dog]

All those cars are on the wrong side of the road.

[alfaitalia]

PS just noticed the 68 side marker light

When you're located so far away from the good stuff, you make do with what you can get!

It is a 68 with a 69 grille though isn't it? Or it would be G reg...not F?

[Cooperman]

PS just noticed the 68 side marker light

When you're located so far away from the good stuff, you make do with what you can get!

It is a 68 with a 69 grille though isn't it? Or it would be G reg...not F?

Yes, it is a '68 - that's an 'F' reg. '69 would be a 'G'.   

[orange383]

PS just noticed the 68 side marker light

When you're located so far away from the good stuff, you make do with what you can get!

It is a 68 with a 69 grille though isn't it? Or it would be G reg...not F?

Yes, it is a '68 - that's an 'F' reg. '69 would be a 'G'.   

My first 68 Charger was an early build built in 67 so had an E plate.

[alfaitalia]

You only get that if you can prove when it was built.....if not ....like me...you get a plate commensurate with its model year. 67 E, 68 F, 69 G etc etc

[Cooperman]

Just looking at this photo, would anyone care to suggest which mechanical parts should be replaced?

I think it's axle case, axle shaft, U-bolts, bearing, oil seal, back plate, drum, shoes, possibly cylinder and shoe hardware, the right side shock absorber is touching the axle case so is possibly bent, the spring is bent, the wheel is buckled and the tyre has a bulge... Is there anything I've missed? Do you think the Suregrip diff pinion will have been affected by the impact? What about Driveshaft UJ's and trans rear seal? 

I am not responsible for adding those wheel weights by the way. 

[Birdflu]

Judging by the 'twist' in that u-bolt...she took quite a hit! Disassembling the rear end and sticking a line bar through it is the only way to accurately determine if the housing is bent. Once the differential is out and disassembled, you'll also be able to inspect the axle shaft thrust block/spacer. Good luck on your findings!

[Kern Dog]

Looks like a leaky wheel cylinder or brake line too.

[hemi-hampton]

I'd pull the entire rear in one complete unit including leaf springs & totally replace it all at once. why waste time disassembling every little piece. LEON.

[Cooperman]

Looks like a leaky wheel cylinder or brake line too.

Sadly that's gear oil Sir!  

[Cooperman]

I'd pull the entire rear in one complete unit including leaf springs & totally replace it all at once. why waste time disassembling every little piece. LEON.

That's my preferred plan as there are so few 8 3/4 parts and specialists in the UK, but it comes down to the loss adjusters recommendation. My concern is that they try and 'get away' with the parts I've listed but that it subsequently transpires that the Suregrip is toast.

[orange383]

I'd pull the entire rear in one complete unit including leaf springs & totally replace it all at once. why waste time disassembling every little piece. LEON.

That's my preferred plan as there are so few 8 3/4 parts and specialists in the UK, but it comes down to the loss adjusters recommendation. My concern is that they try and 'get away' with the parts I've listed but that it subsequently transpires that the Suregrip is toast.

I agree and think you need to insist that the whole lot is replaced otherwise it could cost you money after the work has been done and signed off. I would also suggest that it is a safety issue as all these parts have been effected in some way by the impact!

[G-man]

Stick a little bondo in the right hand rear quarter, paint over it and slap on HLPAG. Good to go!

[bakerhillpins]

I'd pull the entire rear in one complete unit including leaf springs & totally replace it all at once. why waste time disassembling every little piece. LEON.

I've been trying to figure out how the rear end got bent in this exercise.    Given that the fixed points on the axle are the 2 leaf springs and the drive shaft and that this was a rear offset crash. The only reasonable answer I have is that the left leaf/unibody and the drive shaft acted as the fixed points allowing the striking force to be applied to the right rear wheel and as a result bending the right rear end. This suggests that the drivetrain (driveshaft/transmission and xmember/motor mounts) all took a mighty good hit. I'd personally be making sure all of those components and mounting points were inspected. I'm pretty certain that they are not designed to handle an axial compression force like that.     But then again, I left the widgets to the mechanical engineers. 

[Cooperman]

I'd pull the entire rear in one complete unit including leaf springs & totally replace it all at once. why waste time disassembling every little piece. LEON.

I've been trying to figure out how the rear end got bent in this exercise.    Given that the fixed points on the axle are the 2 leaf springs and the drive shaft and that this was a rear offset crash. The only reasonable answer I have is that the left leaf/unibody and the drive shaft acted as the fixed points allowing the striking force to be applied to the right rear wheel and as a result bending the right rear end. This suggests that the drivetrain (driveshaft/transmission and xmember/motor mounts) all took a mighty good hit. I'd personally be making sure all of those components and mounting points were inspected. I'm pretty certain that they are not designed to handle an axial compression force like that.    But then again, I left the widgets to the mechanical engineers.  

Thanks BakerHillPins... I too have concerns about the driveline. I've already decided that the Suregrip is toast, but I do wonder what damage has been done to the 727. I know they're tough, but it's been subjected to several thousand pounds of impact pressure right up the tailshaft housing.

Amazingly, the Loss Adjuster still hasn't come and seen the car. His assessment has all been done by emailed photos!  

However, the most unbelievable conversation I had today went like this; " The bad news is that the other party is likely to make a lowball offer on your total loss. But the good news is, you can take that £17,000 and maybe even get yourself a slightly NEWER Charger!" Er... How about... No.  

[lukedukem]

Jeez, how many weights are stuck to the inside of that rim.

Luke

[Kern Dog]

"But the good news is, you can take that £17,000 and maybe even get yourself a slightly NEWER Charger!" Er... How about... No. "

NON car people are complete idiots and have zero understanding about our passion for these classics.

[Cooperman]

Jeez, how many weights are stuck to the inside of that rim.

Luke

Like I said under the photo, not my doing!

Hey, maybe the impact has set the wheel imbalance straight! 

[JB400]

Some people are unbelieveable.

[Montclaire]

17,000 pounds sterling is equivalent to $22k US right now.  Tell them to keep counting.