Signs of frame damage on your car
When considering buying a used car, there are some telltale signs of frame damage that all prospective buyers should look out for. Below are some of the main characteristics of frame damage to look out for:
1) Uneven bends in the frame
In most cases, frame damage is suspected when the bend in one frame rail does not match the bend on the other side of the vehicle. Most machined bends in the frame rails are identical from one side of the vehicle to the next and look very consistent.
2) Significantly altered tracking
The front axle of a vehicle can become misaligned for a variety of reasons. Don’t believe the salesperson’s claims that a simple wheel alignment adjustment will make the vehicle in question fine.
3) Suspension components in an unnatural position
If you take a quick look inside the wheel wells of your vehicle and find shock absorbers or spring struts that are tilted at an unnatural angle that doesn’t match the angle at the other end of the same axle, they need to be moved elsewhere.
If the shocks/struts are unnaturally placed or out of position, it is an indication of significant damage to the frame and a change in the position of the suspension mounting points on the vehicle.
4) Poorly installed components
If some of the vehicle’s body panels or related components do not fit properly and are not manufactured properly, there is a high possibility that significant damage has occurred to the frame. Even if the door won’t close, it may be an indication of a more serious problem. Damage to the frame can also prevent you from opening or closing the hood of your car.
This is especially true if all of these panels and components look new, but they jam awkwardly when moving around. Often, the frame of the vehicle becomes deformed, causing the body mounts to change position.
5) Abnormal tire wear
Tires can wear out regularly for a variety of reasons. However, if you experience several different wear patterns on tires from the same vehicle, a frame failure is more likely to be the cause. This almost always results in very abnormal tread wear.
Can frame damage be repaired or is the car a total loss?
Whether or not a car’s frame can be repaired depends on the extent of the damage sustained. In some cases, it may actually be possible to repair a vehicle’s frame if such damage is relatively minor. In more severe cases, the damage to the frame may be completely irreparable.
This is not always feasible or safe if the damage to the frame is severe and the necessary repairs would take a lot of time, effort, and money.
Not only would the costs associated with these repairs likely exceed the overall cost of most vehicles, but a previously repaired frame will never be as strong as it was before the damage occurred.