[Hashim]

The left side apron of my esteem is slightly bent after a minor accident long before. Due to that wheel is not in complete center as you can see in pic.



Now mechanic says that the whole apron needs replacement which is going to cost a lot as it will need removal of engine. So I want to know if there is any way to fix the same apron without removing engine? I asked this question to the mechanic and he refused to do any jugar

[harry2223]

i had similar problem in my m800 and the mechanic heated the supporting rod and the wheel was in place

[Blue Thunder]

just curious : which part is referred to as the "apron" ???

[Hashim]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

just curious : which part is referred to as the "apron" ???

This is the right side apron of esteem, its a big part and cost about 5k or more. Fenter, suspension, wheel everything is attached to it.

[Hashim]

Originally Posted by harry2223

i had similar problem in my m800 and the mechanic heated the supporting rod and the wheel was in place

Are you talking of balancing rod ? I called my mechanic and asked him about heating thing and he told that it will not be a permanent job because heating will make the iron loose its tensile strength.

[techn0l0gist]

try the heating and bending method - change the apron as the last resort, as replacing an apron might lead to the car losing its original strength.

[Raccoon]

My Esteem had some underbody damage, resulting in visble dent on the cross-member under the body. The MASS (Millenium) told me that the cross-member would need to be replaced and the apron also may be out of alignment. Very luckily, the apron was found to be unaffected. They have a machine to test the tolerances very precisely (cant recall the name right now). The cross-member change cost around Rs. 2,000 (cant recall the exact amount). But I got that changed under insurance (Rs. 500 per claim + depreciation amount). I was told that I could claim insurance for the apron also, but there would be 40% depreciation for metal parts (as the car is over 5 years old). Actually he quoted 50%... but after I showed them its 40% as per the insurance company, he agreed!!

Also note that they dont mention it before hand but I was made to cough up charges for the coolant and AC gas (went to some other place for that as they didnt have the old r-12 gas, had to pay Rs. 1,500 which included leak test and compressor oil topup) replacement. I was told these are consumable items so will not be paid for insurance. I managed to get insurance to pay for the final wheel alignment though.

Btw, I was quoted around Rs. 20,000, in case the apron was to be fixed (dont know if they ment replacement or fixing, though)

I suggest you get this kind of major work done by the best MASS in your area... as they should have the equipment for it.

[Hashim]

Originally Posted by techn0l0gist

try the heating and bending method - change the apron as the last resort, as replacing an apron might lead to the car losing its original strength.

Yes I also think so because I have seen cars with apron getting replaced and it require lots of welding work which should obviously make the chassis weak.

Originally Posted by Raccoon

I suggest you get this kind of major work done by the best MASS in your area... as they should have the equipment for it.

Thanks, I'll ask them if they can do heat n bent thing on my car because I really don't want to spend much on this as car (its quite old now).

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

just curious : which part is referred to as the "apron" ???

Originally Posted by Hashim

This is the right side apron of esteem, its a big part and cost about 5k or more. Fenter, suspension, wheel everything is attached to it.

Attachment 78799

Thanks for the pictorial clarification, Hashim , I had not heard of this term before, and hence the query. I think this is the local mechanic's slang for "Upper arm" of the front suspension system.

Originally Posted by Hashim

... I called my mechanic and asked him about heating thing and he told that it will not be a permanent job because heating will make the iron loose its tensile strength.

Your mechanic is right, heating ands setting it right is not the good long-term solution. The metal gets weakened.

For this kind of a problem, the best way out would be to get the whole part replaced (I know it is expensive, but this is the safest option). This is a critical component in the suspension/steering system.

Also, get it done from a MASS, or a very good, reliable mechanic.

[Shashank.A]

I guess I drove an Alto y'day, which had its balancing road adjusted by heating.

I was not satisfied with the result. the car was scary at speeds of 80 and above, maybe it was not done properly, but it leaves a bad taste.

[hrsraghav]

An input
a freind went to true value for selling his wagon R. they quoted 2Lakhs for it. But very next day, a mechanic found that his apron was changed, and his price was reduced to 1.6Lakhs.
They consider the apron change as the reult of some serious damage to car.
so better avoid the change.

[moralfibre]

The apron of a car is not so easy to fix. You might have a very high negative camber from what I reckon. My Zen had both Aprons bent inwards causing a 2 degree -ve off in camber alignment.
Those who suggest heating and straightening please note that the aprons are those two metal walls you see on either sides of the engine the other two being the firewall and the front bumper or impact beams.
The only wise recommendation I got was to unmount the engine, weld out the current aprons and weld in new ones. I was going to lose on resale value for doing this and additionally the job would never be as good as it is done in the chassis assembly line in a factory.
Your apron will slowly develop cracks due to higher stress on the bent portion.
I sold off my zen due to this.

[swale84]

Originally Posted by moralfibre

The apron of a car is not so easy to fix. You might have a very high negative camber from what I reckon. My Zen had both Aprons bent inwards causing a 2 degree -ve off in camber alignment.
Those who suggest heating and straightening please note that the aprons are those two metal walls you see on either sides of the engine the other two being the firewall and the front bumper or impact beams.
The only wise recommendation I got was to unmount the engine, weld out the current aprons and weld in new ones. I was going to lose on resale value for doing this and additionally the job would never be as good as it is done in the chassis assembly line in a factory.
Your apron will slowly develop cracks due to higher stress on the bent portion.
I sold off my zen due to this.

Had the same issue with my Zen after an accident. Sold it soon after.

Moralfibre is right - the local garage or MASS will never be able to weld the new apron with the same precision as it is on the automated assembly line in the factory

[Hashim]

If the apron breaks on road then it may cause major accident. I am using this car daily.
Current options for me are to either get it fixed by heating or sell the car.
Changing apron I think is not a good option I think so after reading last few replies.

[Raccoon]

Those of you who arent satisfied with the work done on the apron - was the work done by a local garage or MASS?

At the MASS, I was told that they check the tolerences very pricisely with some machine (as I mentioned earlier, cant recall its name). Local garages will very likely not have such equipment. But while MASS should have the equipment, one can never be sure about the person/people doing the job... so obviously, no guarantee...