Welding?

[plaidgirl54]

Hi everyone. My POS car failed inspection back in May and needed some repairs. I got some of them done. There's one more big one left - I need to get some welding done on the frame. I have no idea how much this will cost or where to get it done. Any recommendations? I know there's never a good time for this sort of stuff to happen, but this is just

Comments

[psywildfire]

Did your mechanic give you paperwork stating that the car had been inspected and failed? If so, carry it with you when you go back. That way if you DO get pulled over you can give the cop the paperwork, explain that you're on your way to get the actual inspection, and they should let you go. At least, I think that's what the law is these days...

It may be a little trickier than that since the inspection's two months overdue now, but...

-WF

[talldean]

Would the garage that did the rest of the repairs - and told you the frame was repairable - not do the repairs, or recommend someone to do them?

[plaidgirl54]

They recommended someone else to do them. They have a good relationship with a welder, but I'm wondering if anyone else has any suggestions.

[su_carbs]

Unless you're doing something *really* stupid, most cops won't even notice that your car isn't inspected. I've driven around with outdated inspections. It's not a good idea, but sometimes it can't be helped.

I was always told, that if you do get pulled over on the way to the garage...as long as you can get proof that the repairs were done and the car inspected...that you can get out of things. You might have to go to a magistrate though.

BTW, there is a shop in West Mifflin (before the Dairy Queen on the right as you're going up the hill) that does frame welding on trucks, maybe they could help you out? A bit of a drive, but that's the only place I can think of. The other, is the Liotus and Winter body shop in Baldwin (off Streets Run Road), which I've actually used--their work is awesome. If they can't help you, they might know someone else who can.

[plaidgirl54]

This is really helpful info. Thank you. I don't plan to drive the car anywhere except to the garage, so hopefully it won't be a problem.

[su_carbs]

You're welcome.

In the past year, I've let my inspections lapse for one reason or another. One...was simply because the project car was in bits, and there was no way in hell I could get it to the garage. Not having wheels and tires on it will do that :p But, after fitting those items, the first trip I took...was to the garage for inspection. The other...was simply because I forgot. I had too much on my mind, and didn't notice that the inspection ran out in June. Oops. In both cases, the garage simply put the current month's stickers on it.

[ipmcc]

Yeah, I *really* wouldn't worry about it. I have a friend who basically never gets his car inspected until he gets pulled over, at which point he shrugs at the cop and admints, "Yeah, I didn't get my inspection. Gimme the ticket." He claims that he's several hundred dollars ahead in this game. (i.e. has saved more money by not getting inspections than he's paid in tickets.) I think he's gone as long as six years at a stretch.

Bottom line, they're not going to arrest you or impound your car, and if you have all the right documentation, they probably won't even ticket you. This is down around jaywalking or a parking ticket in terms of law-breaking severity. Hell, there are 13 states in our fine union that don't have any inspections AT ALL! (PA is not one of them, obviously.)

[plaidgirl54]

Haha, okay. Thank you. This makes me feel much better. I am probably overthinking it. I'll feel better when the repairs are completely finished and this isn't an issue anymore.

[sy5temfire]

My fiance is a car mehanic and his boss does auto welding at Baldwinn Automotive off 51 next to BW high school. They're an awesome mom and pop shop. Give them a call and say Leigh, Matt's gf recommened them. :)