Car Frame Damage
Many vehicle collisions are minor and require simple repairs like removing dents or repainting a bumper. But severe collisions can cause hidden damage to the frame and wreck your car. If a car frame repair is possible, the results can be complicated and expensive.
Learn how to identify vehicle frame damage and what it may cost to repair. That incredible deal on your dream car might not be so good after all. What is a Vehicle Frame?
A vehicle frame acts as the foundation on which the rest of the vehicle is built. The “frame” is essentially two main rails that run the entire length of the vehicle, connected at different intervals by a series of crossmembers.
The exact design of a vehicle frame often varies between brands and models, but they all serve the same purpose: everything from the vehicle’s body to its powertrain components attaches to this central frame at some point in its construction.
The body of a vehicle is attached to the underlying frame using special body mounts. The vehicle’s engine and transmission are both held in place by mounts supported by the frame. Essentially, without a properly designed frame, there would be no vehicle.
Vehicle frames are also carefully designed with certain angles in mind, which ultimately affect characteristics such as drivetrain slop and front-end geometry. Even slight deviations in these angles can cause a variety of driveability-related issues. What is considered frame damage?
Damage that extends to the vehicle’s primary support structure or that compromises the vehicle’s structure is classified as frame damage.
The most common example of this type of damage is a bent frame. This includes damage extending to the upper suspension bearings or mounting flanges of the vehicle’s crossmember.