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Thread: Replace or Not to Replace?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    Age
    59
    Posts
    501

    Replace or Not to Replace?

    Last month I was traveling down the road in my new 2006 Mercury Moutaineer slowing down and preparing to stop for the red traffic light ahead. As I was doing so I got rear ended by a 17 y.o. who was yapping on her cell phone. Damage was done to the rear cover, back-up sensors, rear step pad, rear bumper trim, hitch cover, trailor wire plug recpticle, and trailer hitch.

    The hitch was not bent but was scuffed and scratched from being struck. Well come to find out the hitches are powder coated and welded to the frame at the factory and because they are powder coated it needs to be replaced because it can't be painted. The replacement hitch that comes from Ford Parts is bolted into place and not welded.

    Here's my dilema. Do I have the body shop cut off the old hitch and bolt a new one in place, or just leave it as is and cover the rust with paint as it deteriorates? I know that even if they cut the original off and re-powder coat it they may not be able to get it welded as good as it was from the factory. I want to hear your opinions, especially and body and fender techs that we have here. Thanks in advance.
    Tim 41
    Retired July 1, 2006

    "Somewhere Everyday We Fight For Life"

    2003 Mercury Marauder

    1. 300B (Pre-decontented)
    2. Born November 11, 2002
    3. Adpoted March 13, 2003
    4. 5945 of 7839

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    .820 R/T, 15.356 1/4 Mi @ 92.42 MPH May 2003
    .792 R/T, 14.748 1/4 Mi @ 95.27 MPH Oct 2003

    1996 Ford Explorer XLT 5.0 V-8 AWD Mocha Frost/Saddle. Inservice May 15, 1996, retired October 2, 2004.

    2000 Ford Crown Victoria LX HPP 4.6 V-8 Harvest Gold/Medium Parchment Leather. Born July 25, 2000. Inservice August 29, 2000, retired March 13, 2003.

    2004 Mercury Mountaineer Premier 4.6 V-8 AWD Black/Midnight Grey Leather Sport. Born Jan 29, 2004. Inservice June 1, 2004, retired July 26, 2006.

    2006 Mercury Mountaineer Premier 4.6 V-8 AWD Vivid Red/Camel Leather. Born Feb 22, 2006. Inservice July 26, 2006.


  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    St. John, IN
    Age
    45
    Posts
    14,251
    POR-15 it and call it done.
    Let the other party pay for it, and the labor involved.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Abingdon, MD
    Age
    42
    Posts
    396
    I would ask the insurance company to pay to replace it, then pocket the money and just cover up with POR15 like zack said.
    2003 300a Black (115k miles and counting!)
    #403 of 7839
    -----------------
    Also in the garage...
    64 Cadillac Coupe DeVille
    65 Rambler American
    85 Thunderbird Turbocoupe

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Somewhere in the N.C. Triangle
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    26,250
    Use POR15. Do not get it on anything that you do not want it on. A tip - punch two small holes in the lid oposite each other and pour the POR15 out into a disposable container, then plug the holes when you are done. If you get any POR15 in the area where the lid clips into you will NOT get the lid off next time you want to use it. It will take a few weeks to get it off your skin so use gloves. I believe POR15 is UV-sensitive so you'll have to paint over it once it's dried.
    “When you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat.”
    Ronald Regan

    "The only way to deal with the Islamic State - these blood thirsty, blood-drunken, terrorists -
    is to kill them, keep on killing them, until you kill the last one, then you kill his pet goat."

    Lt. Colonel Ralph Peters

    “Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.”
    "I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes, if you **** with me, I'll kill you all"
    General James Mattis




  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Age
    44
    Posts
    210
    Apparently POR15 is good stuff. I have no idea...just guessing.
    2003 Marauder (Purchased by me in June 06)

    Mods:

    K&N Intake
    Re-manufactured motor

    Next Mod(s):
    Lets just start with Lidio's tune...if I can EVER afford it

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    Location
    Four Corners,Oregon (take exit at the prison, go past the refuse transfer station, and head toward Shangri-la)
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    Unless the hitch has been bent, I wouldn't have it cut off.

    the POR-15 product is a good suggestion for touch up.
    Member Number 32

    Originally posted by TripleTransAm
    An interesting side note: this isn't the same forum I used to post on for years, and I've been doing a lot of reading over the past 48 hours on both sites. Looks like there's been a serious splintering. I never thought it'd be possible for this to happen to a group of owners of a car model that sold no more than 14000 copies over 2 model years. Kind of scary, when thinking of the scale. Makes one think that maybe it'd be a good idea to do some introspection and think about what each of us needs to do to build a solid community, analyze what it is we're all honestly looking for by belonging to this community.

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