Help, Dangerous Bent Running Bar

Hi guys, I accidentally bent one of my running bars back on my 95 Trooper. So right now the running bar is pressed up against the back tier and rubbs firmly against it, this causes a few problems, it squeaks and resonates when I drive, it may heat up while driving and burst into flame, it may unevenly wear down my new tire, It may cause an accident, it may do some other things too I dont know. basically there are two steel connectors that branch off of the running bar and are each bolted with 2 bolts (so a total of 4 bolts) to an opposing set of connectors which I'm assuming are somehow attached to the frame. So both sets of connectors are bent, both the ones on the frame and the ones on the running bar. I am assuming that I can unscrew these slightly rusted bolts and then take off the running bar and use a mallet to hammer its 2 connectors flat and then get under the car and hammer the 2 that are connected to the frame. My question is, is this the right way to approach it (please keep in mind that I'm very poor and cant afford to go to a shop and pay them $100 or more to reshape these things. Can this work? will my idea of hammering it out be able to straighten these connectors (like a metal strip roughly a half centimeter thick and 2.5 inches wide), will I need to heat it and if so could I use a standard hand torch or is this still not hot enough to reshape the steel? is this something that only professional metal workers or frame people can handle? Your advice and experience will be much appreciated. Thank you.

I think you are asking for trouble to try and reshape these yourself, try a salvage yard first? The process you are going to try will fatigue the metal and this is an structural/control component.

I think you are asking for trouble to try and reshape these yourself, try a salvage yard first? The process you are going to try will fatigue the metal and this is an structural/control component.


He's right don't ever try to reshape anything that has a anything to do with steering or suspension. ( A local atv racer tried to straighten a steering rod in the hopes of saving money....this attempt resulted in him buying a ticket to the hospital and a leg in a cast for 10 weeks and pins) My advice is the same DON'T TRY IT go to a wrecker

I agree with the other 2 posts. Never weld or heat up suspension components for any reasons. You will weaken the components and put your life and the lives of others at risk.

Go to a wrecking yard. These Isuzus were not very common so you may need to phone around. A decent wrecking yard should be able to locate all the parts you need, even if they have to order parts from another yard.
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