A Healthy Auto Frame is Key to Vehicle Safety & Performance
With a lot of collisions and so-called “fender benders,” it’s mainly the exterior of the car that takes the brunt of the damage. The dents, scratches and chips left behind may look serious, but they only affect the outward appearance of your car.
High impact collisions, on the other hand, are much more likely to cause damage to the supporting structures of your vehicle: the chassis and the frame. These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they are in fact separate parts:
Chassis: This describes the entire undercarriage of a vehicle—the main support structure for the frame, engine, drivetrain, suspension and wheels. It helps to keep the vehicle stable and disperses the forces of impact caused by accelerating, braking, and maneuvering. It’s also vital for protecting occupants in the event of a collision.
Frame: This rigid structure that supports the body, engine, and suspension system is a fundamental part of the chassis. Think of it as the skeleton that the body of the car is mounted on.
Assessing and Repairing Frame Damage
Frame damage can sometimes be repaired by bending and stretching the frame back into place. However, if this process causes the metal to stretch, it can lose its balance and strength, compromising the overall safety and performance of the vehicle.
Steel frames are more common in heavy-duty vehicles, while many smaller vehicles have aluminium frames for better fuel efficiency and handling. Either way, if the frame is not properly repaired, all the repairs that follow will be compromised. That’s why it’s so important to have an experienced collision repair expert assess the damage and recommend the best way to proceed.
Another option might be to replace only the damaged section of the frame, or possibly even the whole thing. As you may suspect, replacing all or part of the frame is a complex (and expensive) job. Again, you should only trust an auto frame technician to advise you as to whether or not it’s worth it. When everything is said and done, it might be cheaper and make more sense to just invest in a new vehicle.
The Vital Role of Technology in Frame Repair
Since even a slight miscalculation can make things worse instead of better, pinpoint accuracy is essential for auto frame repairs. Fortunately, reputable auto frame repair technicians have access to amazing technologies that they can rely on for the precise diagnostic information they need. If the collision repair facility you are considering does not employ this specialized equipment, my advice to you is to take your car elsewhere for repairs
These advanced machines rely on a combination of lasers (to measure) and computers (to scan and diagnose the damage), resulting in data that experienced technicians can interpret to know whether the frame is salvageable. After repairs, the same machine will be used to assess the car again — this time to confirm that the integrity of the frame has been successfully restored, and that it is once again properly positioned and balanced within the chassis.
For the repair itself, auto frame technicians use a frame straightening machine (also known as a car bench, chassis straightener, or auto body repair bench). These advanced precision pulling systems consist of hydraulically powered racks or benches that are attached to specific points on the vehicle. Operated by a technician and guided by a computer, exactly the right amount of force is applied at the exact points necessary to restore a vehicle’s frame to its original specifications.
Don’t Get “Framed” … Do Your Homework!
Your car’s frame is its primary load-bearing element, responsible for evenly distributing the weight of the vehicle and its cargo. A misaligned or damaged frame can lead to all sorts of issues, including noise and vibration, poor handling and stability, and uneven tire wear. Not only is it extremely unsafe to drive with a damaged frame, it’s also highly likely to result in lasting damage to other parts of your car, not to mention its resale value.
It’s absolutely imperative for your frame to be in perfect shape, so don’t take any chances with this all-important backbone of your car. If you’ve been in an accident (even if it didn’t seem all that serious), be sure to have it inspected and assessed by a reputable collision repair facility.
How can you tell if it’s a reputable shop? In addition to researching its overall reputation and reading online reviews, take the time to confirm that it’s a properly licensed and OEM (original equipment manufacturer) certified collision repair facility for your particular make of car.
Better yet, save yourself the hassle—and just bring it straight in to Mitek! In addition to having the latest frame assessment and straightening technologies (and highly experienced technicians to operate them), we are proudly OEM certified for all the most popular brands of luxury cars … including yours.