How Can I Tell If My Frame Is Damaged?

When you take your car to an auto body shop after an accident, the technicians should give it a thorough inspection. If there is any frame damage, they’ll find it. However, some people hesitate to take their cars in if the accident didn’t appear to have caused major damage. This is unfortunate because major problems like frame damage can go undetected for a while. And if you wait too long to take your car into the shop after a crash, you may have problems getting your insurance company to pay for the collision repairs.

Alignment Assessment

A bent frame can cause problems with your vehicle’s alignment. Consider whether your car pulls to one side, or whether you have to turn the steering wheel in order to drive straight. If you’ve had your alignment fixed recently and the problem persists, then it could be a sign of frame damage.

Tire Track Evaluation

A bent frame interferes with the proper functioning of the vehicle. In particular, it can cause the car to “crab walk.” This happens when the rear tires do not follow directly behind the front tires. If the problem is severe enough, you may be able to see the crab walking simply by observing your car as someone else drives it. If you aren’t sure, you can get all four tires wet. Then, drive it straight across the dry pavement. Park your car and observe the tire tracks to see whether your car is driving sideways.

Parts Assessment

The frame is the foundation of your vehicle. When it’s bent, countless other components might not fit properly. This problem is perhaps most noticeable to car owners when they try to open and close a door without success. You might also notice that the body panels don’t line up properly.

Highly trained and experienced auto body technicians operate the frame straightening equipment at Michael J’s Body Shop. Plus, we provide a lifetime warranty on all of our auto collision repairs performed in San Jose. For expert auto body repairs, you can trust, call our team at 408-279-2070.