A crash can bend the structure that holds your suspension, doors and hood in position. The symptoms are subtle: a steering pull, uneven tire wear, a door that rubs. The fix starts with measuring, then pulling the structure back, then checking parts and alignment in that order.
Key takeaways
- Measure before you align.
- Structure first, then suspension parts, then alignment.
- Symptoms can start days after the crash.
What the structure does
Your car's frame or unibody sets the position of every suspension mount and body panel. A few millimeters of movement at a mount changes how a wheel points. That is why small structural damage causes steering problems.
Signs to watch
A crooked steering wheel, pulling, uneven tire wear, gaps that do not match left to right and doors that rub. Our post on signs of frame damage lists more, and the guide on steering wheels off-center after an accident covers one common symptom.
How measuring works
Reference points on the underbody are measured against manufacturer data. The differences show where and how far the structure moved. Read how frame straightening and measuring work for the details.
Suspension parts after impact
Control arms, tie rods and struts bend in curb strikes and pothole hits. Parts can be damaged without the structure being damaged, which is why we check both. Pothole damage and curb-strike pulls have their own guides.
Alignment comes last
Alignment adjusts angles within a range. If the structure is out of position, alignment cannot compensate, and tires still wear unevenly. Alignment is the final step once structure and parts are right.
Safety and value
Unibody and body-on-frame vehicles repair differently, and our post on the two explains why. If damage is severe, read can a car with frame damage be repaired safely. If you are shopping for a used car, the checklist for hidden collision damage can save you from inheriting someone else's problem.
In this guide
- Seven Signs Your Car Has Frame Damage After an Accident
- How Frame Straightening and Measuring Works, Step by Step
- Car Pulls to One Side After Hitting a Curb: Causes
- Pothole Damage to Your Suspension: Santa Clara Drivers
- Steering Wheel Off-Center After an Accident: What It Means
- Uneven Tire Wear After a Collision: Hidden Alignment Damage
- Unibody vs Body-on-Frame: How Repair Differs
- Can a Car With Frame Damage Be Repaired Safely?
- Buying a Used Car: Hidden Collision Damage Checklist
Get a free estimate in Santa Clara
Questions about frame straightening? Read our Frame Straightening page, call (408) 243-2530, or send photos through the estimate form. International Auto Center Body Shop, 1499 Lincoln St, Santa Clara, CA 95050. Open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Frequently asked questions
Can alignment fix frame damage?
No. Alignment adjusts angles, not structure.
How do I know if parts are bent?
An inspection and measurement show it.
Is frame repair safe?
When measured and pulled to spec and checked, it can be.
Does frame damage hurt resale?
A documented, proper repair matters.
Related reading
- Seven Signs Your Car Has Frame Damage After an Accident
- How Frame Straightening and Measuring Works, Step by Step
- Car Pulls to One Side After Hitting a Curb: Causes
- Pothole Damage to Your Suspension: Santa Clara Drivers
- Steering Wheel Off-Center After an Accident: What It Means
- Uneven Tire Wear After a Collision: Hidden Alignment Damage
- Unibody vs Body-on-Frame: How Repair Differs
- Can a Car With Frame Damage Be Repaired Safely?
- Buying a Used Car: Hidden Collision Damage Checklist
Sources
- California Legislature, Vehicle Code section 544 (total loss definition)
- California Bureau of Automotive Repair, Consumer information on auto body repair