Ways To Determine Car Frame Damage
It’s still a serious concern that can evolve into other troubles, so keep an eye out for these signs of car frame damage if you’ve recently experienced a car accident.
Visible Bending Or Damage
After a serious accident, you may be able to see that the frame of your car has been bent or damaged. Walk around your car and look for signs of rust, cracks, or creases in the frame and exterior, which typically indicate frame problems. Then, look under your vehicle for signs of damage on the bottom of the frame, which can include missing or bent components. A damaged frame can cause several other serious car issues, so get your frame fixed quickly if you notice any visible concerns.
Poor Car Alignment
If you’ve recently been in a car accident, you may realize that your car tends to pull in one direction, requiring additional correction while you’re driving. Having your car realigned can generally fix this problem. However, if you’ve completed an alignment and are still experiencing difficulty driving in a straight line, have a professional check your frame for smaller signs of damage that can be affecting your driving.
Unusual Noises
A bent car frame can cause creaking, squeaking, and other unusual noises from the front, sides, and rear of your car. These noises can indicate the possibility of larger, less visible damage to your car’s frame and will necessitate immediate repairs to ensure that the problem doesn’t worsen. While strange sounds may seem harmless, failure to get them checked out can result in far more expensive repairs later, so it’s best to be cautious and have a professional take a look at your frame.
Uneven Wear On Shocks & Suspension
Bent frames can easily cause uneven wear on your shocks and suspension if the damage shifts more weight to one side of your car. On the sides that are carrying extra weight due to the lack of balance, you’ll notice faster wear and tear than usual. If these components are damaged, you may find that your wheels feel less stabilized and have difficulty connecting with the road. This, in turn, can cause another accident, and it’s therefore important to check your frame as quickly as possible after a collision.
Uneven Wear On Tires
Suspension and alignment issues can also cause uneven wear on your tires. This can make it more difficult for your tires to keep a safe grip on the road, particularly during rainy or snowy weather. If you’ve kept up with regular tire rotations and are still experiencing problems with tire wear, the frame is likely damaged and causing the problem. Be sure to repair your frame and properly rotate your tires after to facilitate safer driving in all weather conditions.
Incorrect Fit Of Other Parts
Doors, windows, bolts, and mounts may fall out of place if your frame is bent or otherwise damaged. They may have too little or too much room to move, depending on the nature of the frame damage, though both can result in the chance for additional problems to occur to your car. When inspecting your frame after an accident, check these areas for anything unusual as well.
Poor Wheel Tracking
You’ll know your wheels are tracking poorly if you attempt to drive straight and find your car veering on a diagonal instead. Difficulty driving in a straight line can indicate invisible frame damage, and it’s important to get this issue resolved before attempting to drive on highways and busy areas.
Speak To A Car Frame Damage Specialist
While it’s possible to drive a car that has sustained frame damage, you risk seriously compromising the structural integrity of the car and injuring its occupants if you’re in another accident later. A trained auto body technician can easily identify frame damage and fix it to ensure a safer drive.
Reach out to Rob’s Customs & Restorations for assistance in repairing your bent or damaged car frame. Rob’s experienced technicians are trained in how to identify frame damage and make the necessary repairs on a wide range of car models. The team can also provide a number of customization services in addition to repairs, including engine swaps, new paint jobs, and restoration work on classic and vintage vehicles.
