Wrecked - Frame Twisted

[Buccanoles]

A van turned in front of me and we hit doing about 45mph. Truck doesnt appear too bad but the Body guy said the frame is twisted and will have to be replaced. Insurance company is not going to total it. Here is my question: Will my truck ever be the same? I bought it brand new and I drove it every day sometimes for long distances. I need it to be right. Any advice? BTW, The steering wheel is turned hard right, my drivers side tire was damn near ripped off.

 

[SIKDMAX]

Damn, sorry to see/hear that. If that is your yard and the truck is there, go play with a hammer to some more spots! :spit:

Maybe a couple more quotes on it? Id really push the insurance company to total it, then buy it back

 

[Buccanoles]

haha No that pic is at the Body Shop. Owner of the shop said it's rare they total a DMAX or any 3/4-1ton Diesel. I cant believe they are putting a new frame under it...

 

[RPM Motorsports]

Check the body lines, do they still line up on both sides? the pic does not look that bad. I can't see them replacing the frame.

 

[Buccanoles]

Check the body lines, do they still line up on both sides? the pic does not look that bad. I can't see them replacing the frame.

Yeah body lines look good. Only odd thing is that the passenger door wont close. There was NO damage on the passenger side. He said the frame was twisted too bad to straighten it.

 

[RPM Motorsports]

I've seen some bad stuff get straightened on a frame machine, depends where the damage is

 

[63chevyll]

i have replaced 6 frames this year (2009) Its a common Body Shop repair. None on a Dmax yet.

its not a bad job as long as a good body shop does it. or at least the tech is good at tripple checking

there in little room to pull back on frame machine...meaning, once the crumple zones are effected they are not allowed to repair

 

[duramax-rob]

Good reply 63chevy11. A "good" frame or body man will know if the frame is repairable. What happen thought when the frame twists and tweeks, is that the original body when removed and set back on the new frame is still twisted and tweeked. A good way to help straighen the body is to get the truck on the frame rack and "rough pull it back all into close original shape, especially under where the body and bed sit. Since everything forward to the firewall is bolt on items its best ot rough pull first. Also having a good frame and body measuring system really helps.

 

[LBZ_Duramax]

Around here the insurance co will total the truck if the frame is bad enough to have to replace.

 

[lotsofmiles]

glad your ok.


dang van guys alway in the way....

 

[63chevyll]

good point,

My bro is actual the frame master in our town. he has been repairing race cars and full frames for many shops around here.

Rob is right, the repair should start on the frame machine, pull back close to spec as possible, then replace frame (if Ins allows).

but each crash is Different, and the WHOLE truck was in a accident, not just the drivers side, so the body could be twisted too?

I would express my concerns with the body shop and insurance co. before all repairs are started. make sure they know there was no wind noise, pulling, power steering noise, en-even tire wear, Check engine lights, ABS lights, all doors opened and shut good.....ect, what ever you can honestly think of.....will, in the end help you get the truck back to how you had it before the accident

 

[63chevyll]

Around here the insurance co will total the truck if the frame is bad enough to have to replace.

Really? vehicles do hold differnet values in differnt parts on the country.

Example,

We repaired a 2009 Expidition in March with 8000 miles.

frame and body repairs were close to 12000, but the new Ford was still worth $32000, repair was approx 40% of value of vehicle and that falls into their formula
Total VS. Repair

 

[RPM Motorsports]

Around here the insurance co will total the truck if the frame is bad enough to have to replace.

Same as here in Ca. If it's tweeked they total it! There are repairable trucks in almost every recycle yard around.

 

[63chevyll]

most go to autions if totaled

 

[Vrabel]

well, better a new frame than a pulled and straightened one. Better chance of going down the road straight if done by a qualified shop.

 

[Buccanoles]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. The vehicle I hit was a State of Florida van and they are self-insured, so I dont know how they configure the percentage for total. I am going to get compensation for the depreciation though. It's just a big ole shit sandwich and I gotta take a bite.

 

[moore428]

The frames are heat treated now, so straightening the frame is a no no. Liability on a major structural frame straightening would be prohibitive, hence the replacement.

 

[duramax-rob]

Before they are done with it, they should do a four wheel alingment. Make sure they give you a printout of the alignment before align and after. See if they will do what is called a zero tolerance alignment which what really means that it is aligned to .25 degrees of perfect settings. What that does is just tweek the tollerences from say + or - 2* to + or - .25*. Anyone can do that, it just takes a little more time. Kind of like being more better!!!!!!!!!!: happy2:

 

[63chevyll]

Before they are done with it, they should do a four wheel alingment. Make sure they give you a printout of the alignment before align and after. See if they will do what is called a zero tolerance alignment which what really means that it is aligned to .25 degrees of perfect settings. What that does is just tweek the tollerences from say + or - 2* to + or - .25*. Anyone can do that, it just takes a little more time. Kind of like being more better!!!!!!!!!!: happy2:

yeah, no kidding.

So many A-Holes think they know an alignmnet just cuz they can turn it on and "set to green" or "just set the toe"

Most true alignmnet shops will adjust to the best conditions for the vehicle.
For example,
I spend 95% of my time on the highway with a trailer and loaded down, a factory alignment does no good, along with headlight alignments.

The more you know about it the better your tires last too

 

[T2CH]

If it were me, I would want them to total it. I have owned a vehicle with fram damage (not my doing) and at trade in it wasn't worth shit when they found out. The book can say all it wants to but the buyer may think differently as for the worth of a vehicle with frame damage.
Call your insurance company and let them help you fight with the other company. They can get more out of them most times.
Good luck and keep us posted