5 Telltale Signs of Car Frame Damage
A damaged car frame can be expensive to repair. If left untouched, a car frame with issues can cause damage to other components critical to the operation of your vehicle. If you’re concerned, you might wonder - what are some signs of car frame damage?
Read on to learn about the items on a vehicle that indicate something has happened to the frame. We’ll give over five clear signs of car frame damage. If you notice any of these, take your vehicle to a shop as soon as possible. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started right away.
What Could Damage a Car Frame?
Before we discuss the signs of car frame damage, we need to cover the items that could damage a car frame. It’s easier to notice signs of car frame damage if you recently went through an experience that could have harmed the structure.
According to sellmax.com, here are a few items that could damage a car frame:
- Minor or major car accidents
- Impact with a pothole in the road
- Speed bumps
- Curb impacts
These can shift items out of place.
If you have encountered any of these on the road, you could have damage to your car frame. Now, let’s dive into a few signs of car frame damage.
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5 Signs of Car Frame Damage
Although there are more, we will go over five signs of car frame damage you can look for in a vehicle. These are clear indications that there is something wrong with your car and that you should take it to a professional.
Here are the five we will discuss:
- Misalignment
- Uneven wear
- Weird noises
- Visible damage
- Ill-fitting car parts
These might mean car frame damage.
Let’s dive into these indications together. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to care for your vehicle.
Misalignment
According to robcustoms.com, misalignment is a clear indication of car frame damage. Your car might pull more in one direction than the other, making overcorrection a necessity on the road. This misalignment will likely appear after an accident. A realignment should handle the issue - if it persists after this procedure, you may have car frame damage on your hands.
If you get a realignment procedure and your car still cannot drive in a straight line without a severe overcorrection, take your vehicle to a professional. They can help fix bends in the metal and determine if any smaller components have bent out of place.
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Uneven Wear
Tires can wear down for many reasons. They might encounter a rough road or fall apart thanks to old age. However, tires usually wear down at an even rate. According to cartreatments.com, an indication of car frame damage is uneven wear on your tires and other components.
It’s usually easy to note uneven wear on tires. The front side might have significantly less tread than the back. Or the left wheel might be more worn than the right. Whatever the case, it’s usually not difficult to spot uneven wear on tires.
Although not always, uneven wear can most often be attributed to car frame damage. Take your vehicle to a professional for a second opinion as soon as possible.
Weird Noises
If you hear weird noises while you drive, something is probably wrong with your vehicle. Odd sounds from a car recently involved in a collision mean there could be a chance these noises are due to car frame damage.
According to kick-a-bag.com, components are kicked out of alignment when an accident occurs. Thanks to this, things may now collide in places they are not supposed to in a vehicle. When turning, the tires might collide with the wheel well. The axles might run up against the tires. Whatever the case, car frame damage could be responsible for the noise.
Weird noises can also lead to early wear on tires and other car components. If your vehicle is usually quiet and it’s not, take your vehicle to a professional. They can help you diagnose the trouble and determine if the frame is to blame.
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Visible Damage
Look for visible damage to your vehicle. This sign might be obvious, but many forget to check their vehicle after an accident. You need to look everywhere - on top, on the sides, inside, and underneath the vehicle.
According to robscustoms.com, you will be able to see the frame bent and dented out of place after an accident. It will be easy to spot - a dent in a place where there was no damage before the collision.
If you note visible damage, get a second opinion. Some car frame damage can be ignored, but most of it needs fixing right away for a successful drive in the future.
Ill-Fitting Car Parts
Finally, the last telltale sign of car frame damage is ill-fitting car parts. If the frame breaks, components like screws and bolts might fall out. Doors may not slam into position when you shut them. The trunk might be a little looser in the latch than before.
If you note that certain parts don’t fit the way they used to before a collision, it could be due to a damaged car frame. Unusual items need to be looked at right away to avoid further harm to the system.
Conclusion
If you get into an accident, there’s a chance you could bring harm to your car frame. There are five telltale signs of car frame damage we discussed above. If you notice any of these, take your vehicle to a professional to get a second opinion on the faults. If there’s trouble with your car frame, get it taken care of as soon as possible.
We hope this information was helpful! A damaged car frame can cause a lot of hassle and issues in the future. The more you know about signs of car frame damage, the better you can prepare for potential necessary fixes. No one wants any signs of car frame damage, but they can mean the difference between a safe and dangerous drive.
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