After a collision, visible damage appears. From paintwork dents to scratches, these impairments steal your attention. Little do you know that the real threat is out of sight, hiding underneath.
Frame damage, often referred to as chassis damage, is serious and compromises car safety. Thus, it is paramount that it be repaired following a crash.
This article explains why chassis damage in Sydney is a critical matter and how to identify and fix it properly.
What Is Frame Damage?
Frame damage is damage to the vehicle’s frame or chassis, which is its structural backbone. After a collision with tremendous force, the frame can be bent, twisted, or cracked.
Unibody vs. Body-On-Frame Construction Basics
A unibody has the frame and the chassis integrated into a single structural unit. Meanwhile, the body-on-frame has a separate chassis that is mounted on the vehicle’s body.
Signs Your Car May Have Frame Damage
Not-so-obvious signs of frame damage should not be overlooked. Even in minor car accidents, it’s highly necessary that your car should be thoroughly assessed.
If you see any of the following symptoms, immediately call a professional repairer to prevent expensive repairs later on.
- Uneven gaps between panels or doors
- Vehicle pulling to one side
- Wheels not aligned or uneven tyre wear
- Visible cracks or bends underneath
- Dashboard warning lights
Why Frame Damage Is So Serious
Affects crash protection
The vehicles that are driven today have crumple zones. These are parts of your car located in the front and rear that absorb the impact during a collision.
Frame damage can weaken the crumple zone, rendering it compromised and unable to protect its passengers.
But that’s not all, the airbag sensors can also be structurally unsound. These protective gears rely on impact patterns designed into your automobile’s structure. Thus, if the frame is damaged, the airbags might not work correctly during emergencies.
Compromises steering, alignment, and braking
Frame damage can alter the steering, alignment and braking of your vehicle. Yes, even if it seems that there is no problem while you’re cruising on the road.
Over time, the alignment and brake issues can wear the tyres and make you lose control—scary.
May lead to an insurance write-off if severe
Most of the time, when your car suffers heavy damage, the repair cost might be higher than the vehicle’s cash value. In such a case, your insurance company might treat it as a total loss. This means that driving it will no longer be insured and safe.
Can cause long-term issues if not properly fixed
If you ignore damage to your car’s frame, the ongoing issue will continue to gnaw on your vehicle. The engine and system might experience strains, leading to early breakdown and costly repairs down the road.
The Frame Straightening Process at GIA
Full-frame inspection using digital measurement tools
Our team starts with a careful inspection of your entire frame. We leverage digital measurement tools to precisely evaluate your vehicle’s condition down to the slightest damage beyond the surface.
Hydraulic pulling machines to straighten
Next, we utilise the hydraulic puller to take out tightly fitted components of your vehicle, such as bearings. It will realign the damaged frame back to its original specification with great accuracy.
Use of alignment jigs for precision
Our skilled crew uses alignment jigs to arrange and adjust your car components. They make sure they’re in the correct position and fitted as they should be.
Final structural integrity testing
After alignment, we’ll have your car undergo one final structural integrity test. This ensures the frame and the body of the car are stable and robust. This includes overcoming the forces during rapid car motions without experiencing failure or deformation.
Your ride has to be in its safest form as originally manufactured.
Reinforcement and repainting as needed
If it’s necessary, we will apply treatments to prevent future corrosion or repaint to bring back your car’s former beauty. We can also fortify any weakened sections in your automobile’s frame with stronger materials.
Can You Drive with Frame Damage?
Yes, technically, it is possible to drive your car with an impaired frame. But is it safe? No, a car with a damaged frame is dangerous to drive in. You’re at risk on both fronts, legal and safety—especially at higher speeds.
Furthermore, when misfortune strikes and you’re involved in another accident, it may void your insurance. This leaves you without any financial security net, offering you no protection at all during accidents.
Insurance & Frame Damage
Getting into a car accident is stressful. That’s why we don’t want to make it harder for you with a complicated process.
In most cases, insurance policies cover frame damage in car accident repair claims. However, frame repairs are no joke; they’re often severe.
GIA streamlines the process by working directly with insurers for assessment and approval. We conduct a comprehensive inspection of the damage and submit the necessary documents and estimates to solidify your insurance claim.
By all means, if the frame damage is beyond salvage, we will be truthful with you about it. When the structural issue is extensive and higher than the market value of your car, we’ll provide the best course of action.
Our team works fast to reduce downtime and get you back on the road safely without delay.
Why GIA Is Sydney’s Trusted Frame Repairer
GIA has certified technicians who have decades of hands-on experience with frame repair. Backing their skilled hands is state-of-the-art straightening equipment to ensure fast and precise service.
Additionally, our team follows insurance-approved processes to restore your vehicle to its factory safety specifications. With full confidence in our craftsmanship, we insist on a lifetime warranty on all our structural damage repairs.
Final Thoughts
Your frame damage may not be so blatant, but it poses a serious threat to your vehicle’s safety.
Failing to address the issue instantaneously may lead to long-term car injury, which will be more costly. Thus, frame damage requires urgent and expert attention to make sure it’s fit for safe driving.
So, don’t risk your life or resale value—let pros handle your bent frame in Sydney. They have the best tools and a deeper understanding to gauge the repairs necessary to make your auto roadworthy again.
Book a post-collision frame repair with GIA today for a quality inspection and trusted repair.