It is quite challenging to notice damages caused by car collisions. You might know something is not right if you take extra drives. But the critical question is, “can you drive a car with a bent frame?”
It can become bent or damaged due to collision. Sometimes it is difficult to notice its damage at once. Therefore, it is imperative to seek help from a professional mechanic to inspect your car for alignment.
Types of Car Frame Damages
Car manufacturers are focused on making frames that are safe and can protect lives. Nevertheless, accidents happen when it is least expected, thus resulting in bent frames. What types of damages can you experience after a collision or accident?
Sway Damage
This kind of damage is a headache to you, and it occurs if the corner of your car is hit pretty badly. The car tends to lean towards a particular direction; thus, it is easy to detect, unlike other damages. You cannot afford to overlook it if you notice it.
If you experience this type of damage, you cannot drive your vehicle in a straight line. Besides, you can feel regular vibrations from the engine. Moreover, the transmission system can have serious damage due to misalignment.
Twisted or Sagging Damage
If it is twisted or sagging, you should check if there exist some gaps in between the body. Some sections always lean towards the gaps due to jagged parts used to develop the frame. This kind of damage always occurs due to lateral crashes.
It is hard to detect it, and if left unattended, the gaps can result in quick wear and tear of the coils and tires. You need to conduct a thorough inspection of your vehicle to detect the real source of twisted or sagging frame damage.
To fix this problem, you should seek the help of a professional auto body mechanic who can operate a straightening machine, using advanced mechanism to fix the problem. Therefore, don’t let this type of damage risk your life.
Smashed Damage
Your vehicle can have smashed damage if you are involved in a head-on collision, thus causing it to wrinkle in. This kind of damage is caused when your vehicle has a shorter frame than the producer’s specifications. It is always indicated wrinkles in various parts such as horns, fenders, or hood.
A crushed structure can cause a wrinkle effect on other components of your vehicle. If you don’t solve the problem immediately, it can cause wear and tear. Therefore, the only solution is to replace the damaged parts.
Minor Frame Damage
This kind of destruction happens when there is slight or no collision. But in case it happens, the frame is still within the specification of the manufacturer. Therefore, to solve the problem, you need to work on the body.
Now that you know the types of damages that your vehicle can get, can you drive a car with a bent frame? That’s upon you to decide, but don’t risk it if you still value yourself.
Can you drive a car with frame damage – Symtoms of frame damage
If you have recently experienced any collision or accident, you should move with speed to salvage the problem before it evolves into other issues. So, what are the ways how to tell if it is bent?
Visible Car Frame Damage
You can notice your frame is destroyed after being involved in a serious collision. Inspect your car for any possible symptoms of cracks, rust, and creases in the car’s exterior. This is an indication that there is a problem with it.
You can also get under the car to have a clear observation of the parts of the frame under the chassis. Use a flashlight to check for bends, and if the damage is critical, weld new materials on it. A crushed frame often causes numerous issues, so you should fix it immediately if you notice it.
Uncommon Noises
You should pay close attention to squealing, screeching, and other rare noises, especially the noise produced when turning the tires. This is an indication that you have either large or slightly visible frame damage.
Therefore, it is prudent to initiate quick repairs to curb the problem before spreading to other parts of the vehicle. They might be quite harmless, but you can run into a serious problem in the future if you fail to check the issue. You should be cautious and seek the help of an expert to check it for you.
Damaged Suspension System and Shock
Ask yourself, “can you drive a car with frame damage?” This is because if it’s in good working condition, the car’s weight is distributed equally all over the suspension system. Therefore, if it is bent, you might experience balancing problems.
This is an indication that extra weight can be distributed on one side of the car. Moreover, if the shocks are worn down on one particular side, then it is bent, and you need to fix it immediately.
Another issue is uneven wear and tear of the suspension system and shock. The wheels become unstable due to the uneven distribution of weight. This can cause a fatal accident, so you check them after a collision to prevent further problems.
Poor Realignment
You might notice that your vehicle is leaning towards one side after being involved in a collision. The solution is to get proper realignment to solve the problem or get it checked. Bent frame causes misalignment, thus resulting in crab walking.
You can notice this problem when you are driving down the street, and you might notice your vehicle is leaning towards either right or left side. You can drive on a wet road, and if you notice your tire making diagonal treads rather than horizontal, then take your frame for repair because it is bent.
Nevertheless, if you are still experiencing additional challenges while driving after alignment, you should ask a professional auto body expert to check them for you.
Poorly-fixed Components
The frame might not fit your car if it’s warmed, and you cannot notice this by checking the doors, bolts, windows, and mounts, which might be misaligned. They are designed to fix properly, and if you notice any gaps existing, it’s an indication that the frame is bent.
Another sign is how these car components open and close. For instance, if some doors or windows are difficult to open or close. Moreover, the trunk tends to shriek during any movement. All these are signs which indicate that these parts are not properly fixed.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Is it possible to fix a bent frame?
Yes, you can realign it to its typical dimensions. Nevertheless, if it’s not done correctly, you can compromise your safety. So it is imperative to entrust your vehicle with an experienced auto body professional.
Many lives have been saved due to the application of impact-absorbing rumple regions. Nevertheless, this type of car frame has a habit of bending despite the ruthlessness of the accident. Therefore, you should properly fix a bent frame because it is a safety risk for both you and passengers.
Can you Drive a Car with a Bent Frame?
Definitely, but only if it’s aligned properly and you can drive it in a straight line. What you should keep in mind is that this is a great risk. Therefore, the greater strength of your car can be compromised, resulting in some potential injuries to the passengers and severe damage.
Can my car be totaled if the frame is damaged?
If your car’s cost of repair is much higher than the market value, then it is totaled. Fixing a damaged frame is relatively hard because it requires strong and quality machines, skilled mechanics, and enough time.
The best way to know if your vehicle is totaled is by conducting a thorough inspection using measuring tools and premium equipment. A professional inspection enables you to get the hidden damages; thus, you can know the correct repair cost. Thus, your car can be totaled subject to these costs.
How can I tell that the frame of my car is bent?
There are particular signs you must look for which might indicate that it is bent or damaged. One of the most common signs is when you cannot drive it in a straight line. It is advisable to take it to the nearest tire shop for alignment, discarding the damage.
Another noticeable sign is when the components such as doors, windows, trunks, etc., cannot open and close properly. This is because of a gap that might exist between these parts. Nevertheless, you should pay close attention to squealing and other unusual noises while turning.
All the unusual and squeaking noises might indicate that it is bent and requires immediate inspection and repair by taking it to an auto body expert.
Conclusion– Can you Drive a Car with a Bent Frame?
You can address this issue before it causes serious problems if you are familiar with the signs. If you are involved in a road accident, then take it to the nearest car shop for inspection to enhance the safety precautions.
Given that you can drive a vehicle with a bent or a damaged frame, you risk destroying its mechanical integrity, thus risking the occupants’ lives. The only solution is to fix the problem before your next drive. So, can you drive a car with a bent frame?
