Rebuilding a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek XV Part 2: Straightening and Installing New Panels

Jessie Miller
Jun 1
3 min read

DIY Subaru Crosstrek Rebuild – Part 2: Straightening It Out (The Hard Way)

Welcome back to Part 2 of my 3-part series on rebuilding this 2013 Subaru Crosstrek XV — right here in my garage and front yard, using the same tools most of you already have sitting in yours.

This time, we're tackling one of the biggest jobs: straightening the car after stripping off the damaged parts. And no, I don't have a shop full of fancy body racks or laser measuring tools. It's me, a tape measure, some straps, a winch, a handful of basic tools — and a lot of patience.

Why Straightening Even Matters

If you skip this part or get it wrong, you’ll be chasing problems forever. A bent frame means your tires wear unevenly, the car won’t track straight, doors won’t close right, and you’ll spend way more fixing it down the road. Even something simple like a set of tires can run you $600 if the alignment's off — ask me how I know.

First: Assessing the Damage

Before pulling anything, you’ve got to figure out exactly where it’s bent. I used a tape measure and cross-checked factory specs to spot any twists or tweaks in the frame. No lasers. No computers. Just measurements, angles, and common sense.

Tools I Used (Real-World Edition)

Winch & Straps – For pulling the frame back into position.
Basic Measuring Tools – Tape measures, levels, and straight edges.
Hand Tools – Wrenches, sockets, impact gun.
Cutting Tools – For carefully removing bent panels.
Patience & Coffee – You’ll need both.

Could I have rented a full frame rack? Sure. But part of this project is proving you don’t always need shop-level gear to fix real-world damage.

Removing the Broken Stuff

Before straightening, I had to strip off every damaged piece. Some of it unbolted. Some needed cutting. The trick here is not to rush — go slow, because damaging good parts just adds more work later.

Straightening the Frame (Backyard Style)

Once stripped, I chained the car down and started applying pull pressure with the winch, working a little at a time. You’re not trying to yank it back all at once — that’s how things get worse. It took a few hours of adjust-pull-measure-repeat, but the frame finally came back to spec.

Installing New Panels

With the frame back where it belongs, I started installing the new panels — fenders, supports, and some inner structure. Each one got test-fit multiple times before final bolting to make sure gaps stayed tight and even. Little things matter here: gaps over 1/8 inch mean moisture sneaks in, which leads to rust down the road.

The Final Tweaks

Once everything was bolted up, I went over every gap and seam again. This is where you catch those tiny misalignments before you’re into paint or reassembly. Get it right now or regret it later.

Coming Up Next

The frame’s straight, panels are on, but we’re not done yet. In Part 3, we’ll finish assembly, get everything dialed in, and make this Crosstrek road-ready again.

Closing Thoughts

You don’t need a full body shop to rebuild a car — you need patience, basic tools, and a willingness to take your time. This project is all about proving what you can do at home with the right mindset.

Be sure to check out the video for a full step-by-step of how I pulled this off in my own garage.