Ok, so last week I got into my first accident. Honestly, it was pretty lame, went a little too fast around a wet corner, and got loose, lost traction, and hit the curb. 95% of the car is in amazing condition. Should I one, take the check from the insurance, buy a new car, or should I buy it back from them for dirt cheap, and repair it? I love this car, it's always been my passion to have and build an Eclipse. It's not that I don't think it's worth it. I don't know if it's possible.

Broken parts:
Steering knuckle,
separated half-shaft, (not sure if it's broke or resuable)
broken upper control arm.
*** Tweaked strut tower.
More than this, I'm not sure.

The reasons for the stars on the strut tower, is my whole reason for this post. All of that other stuff is pretty straight forward replacement.. HOWEVER, I'm not sure if that strut would still be safe if I pulled it back straight up and down.
Right now it's angled. I wish I had pics. I'm going to see this weekend, if I can get some snapshots and post them up. But until then, my number one question is.. Can that wheel well/strut tower be replace at all? or is it a cut and weld job?
I want to keep the car, because honestly I think i can replace all of these parts for WAY less than the estimate. Labor is the killer out here in Hawaii.. between $80-90 an hour for mechanics.. SO, someone who knows enough about a strut assembly/wheel well. please get back to me.. I understand anything is possible. But, is it possible to make it SAFE again?!?! Thank you so much, in advance, for your time..

-Jeff Dow aka Upincomin

The strut tower is a cut and weld job. I've seen the replacements. It's not cheap by any means to have it cut out and rewelded though. There are a lot of measurements that need to be taken and triple checked in order for all the suspension components to line up properly. Good luck. Take your time and make sure this is what you want to do before you shell out the money.

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How about this idea? Just unbolt everything from that area, and push the strut back straight? I mean, if everything like up, you bolt it back together, and if everything bolts, it should be good?? Or would it be unreal weak up top? The only part jackered up is where the strut mount studs go through in the wheel well. I dunno, i did a price check on the broken parts, vs buying upgraded parts for it. With the money the insurance is quoting, (wothout negotiation), I would have about 600 left to play with. And that's new coilovers, replacement knuckle, body kit and carbon fiber z3 fenders so i dont have to have them painted. I'd hate to have to scrap it because its 95% perfect cond. still aside from the damage in that wheel well. But, I can't see sending it to someone else to cut and put in a new one. I dunno, I guess just looking for a Yay, or Nay.. Do it, or take the money. People around here say take the money, but they don't have a clue what they are talking about. I was looking for the opinion of someone who knows this car and can give a better experienced opinion. Thank you again.

-Jeff

I'm going to buy the car back for dirt cheap. Then Take it into the shop, and take out the engine and transmission. Then I'm going to have it hauled to the Body shop to repair JUST the wheel/well strut tower. And I'm going to do the rest myself I think. The car will be paid off so I shouldn't have too much to worry about. I'll keep you posted on the progress if you want me to.

Take the check and put a dp on an evo.
The car will NEVER be the same....

__________________________________________________________
-Tony <--- NOT asian.
'06 Wicked White EVO IX

Buy the car back.
Take the money and pick up another Eclipse. Maybe one that's missing an engine/transmission.
Swap over all your goodies to the new shell.
Sell anything left over to fund your mod project.
Ignore anyone who tells you to sell it and buy an Evo. Everyone knows Subaru is where it's at.

__________________________________________________________
-Tony <--- NOT asian.
'06 Wicked White EVO IX