Auto accidents are bad enough, but every motorist will turn pale at the mention or thought of a bent frame on their car, truck, or motorcycle. In the past, a bent frame usually meant that the vehicle could be deemed a total loss. Modern technology has provided the auto collision repair industry with several powerful tools for restoring a damaged frame. Once your car’s frame is straightened and repaired, it will operate virtually as safely and efficiently as it did before the accident. Car Collision Frame Damage Your car’s frame, much like the human skeletal system, is the structural basis for body components, suspension elements, and the vehicle’s drivetrain. If the frame is damaged in any way, tolerances shift, components fail, and vehicle safety is compromised. When your vehicle collides with an object, whether it is a stationary object or another moving vehicle, momentum and kinetic energy exert unimaginable stress on the frame and other structural components. To keep a vehicle’s occupants safer during a crash, auto manufacturers have implemented crumple zones and a variety of other strategies to help the vehicle absorb a collision’s energy. This technology keeps you and your family safe in the occupant compartment but the extra damage often manifests in the vehicle’s frame and related structural elements. How Much Does Auto Frame Straightening Cost? What does it cost to straighten a frame? This is a difficult question to answer, as every collision and every vehicle is different. The traditional answer was usually, “…more than your car is worth.” That is not necessarily the case any longer, as car values have increased and technology has improved. Today, many successful collision repairs include straightening a vehicle’s frame. The equipment necessary to make these types of repairs, although still expensive, has become more readily affordable. Your auto insurance carrier will often cover the cost of frame straightening after evaluating the vehicle’s value in comparison to the cost of repairs. Your vehicle also contains a variety of ancillary frames that can be replaced as a part of the restoration. These include the frames for seats, windows, convertible tops, and more Is Vehicle Frame Welding a Safe Option? If some portion of the vehicle’s frame is damaged beyond the scope of what pulling or straightening will correct, an auto body repair specialist may cut out a portion of the frame and weld in a new section. This practice has been highly criticized because, when performed incorrectly, this kind of repair can easily fail and cause injury and further damage. Whether welding is an appropriate strategy for your vehicle’s repair is something that only a qualified, experienced frame repair shop can determine. Can My Car Frame Be Straightened? Only a collision repair or auto body repair professional can tell you if your frame is repairable. Look for a full-service collision auto body and paint shop in your area that provides a lifetime warranty on its workmanship and that will handle your insurance claim for you. A qualified body repair shop will provide you with peace of mind that your vehicle repair was completed with highest quality and attention to safety.
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